Clothes giant sued over hijab claim

A FORMER stockroom worker for Abercrombie & Fitch sued the clothing retailer in federal court yesterday, saying she was illegally fired after refusing to remove her Muslim headscarf while on the job.

Hani Khan said a manager at the company’s store in San Mateo hired her while she was wearing her hijab. The manager said it was ok to wear it as long as it was in company colours, Khan said.

Four months later, the 20-year-old says a district manager asked if she could remove the hijab while working, and she was suspended and then fired for refusing to do so.

It’s the latest discrimination charge against the company’s so-called “look policy,” which critics say means images of mostly white, young, athletic-looking people.

“Growing up in this country where the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion, I felt let down,” Khan, now a college student, said.