11 May 2016

Female student at US Citadel military college threatens to sue over right to wear hijab

A prospective female Muslim student at one of America's oldest military colleges is threatening to sue because school officials have refused to allow her to wear a hijab. Every one of the students at The Citadel wears a military uniform at all times on campus other than while swimming or sleeping. The prestigious 175-year-old public military college that trains officers for the US services first admitted women in 1995.

The Citadel "has relied upon a highly effective educational model requiring all cadets to adopt a common uniform," said Lieutenant General John Rosa, president of the South Carolina college.

"The standardization of cadets in apparel, overall appearance, action, and privileges is essential to the learning goals and objectives of the college" and "reflects an initial relinquishing of self" that is an important aspect of military discipline, he added. [International Business Times] Read more