U.S. Acts to Protect Religious Discrimination

Oklahoma -- The U.S. has entered into the arena of the headscarves battle on Tuesday, March 30, 2004. Within the last few months, the French government approved a law banning the headscarf and other religious symbols in school, while a state in Germany called for a ban on teachers hijabs (headscarves).

The debate reached the U.S. in a different light, however, with the Justice Department defending the legal rights to wearing religious symbols at the classrooms, by filing a complaint on behalf of a Muslim girl who was twice sent home from her school for wearing her hijab.

"Religious discrimination has no place in American schools," Assistant Attorney General Alexander Acosta said in a statement released Tuesday. "No student should be forced to choose between following her faith and enjoying the benefits of a public education."

However, the lawyer for the Muskogee School District, where the case was filed, argued that the issue was not about religious discrimination.

"There is no federal right to wear religious attire" in schools, he insisted. “We are in compliance with federal guidelines from the Department of Education."

The 11-year old girl involved in the debate, Nashala Hearn, was suspended from the Benjamin Franklin Science Academy in Muskogee, Oklahoma, because the local authorities ban all forms of headgear.

Acosta said there was a need to take action because such rules since they may amount to religious discrimination, which violates the equal protection clause of the US Constitution.

"We certainly respect local school systems' authority to set dress standards, and otherwise regulate their students, but such rules cannot come at the cost of constitutional liberties," said Acosta.

The girl’s parents sued the school district for $80,000, claiming the dress code discriminates unjustly against religious clothing. Nashala herself asked why other girls are allowed to wear crosses while she was banned from wearing her hijab. The trial is set for Sept. 7.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.