Shabina Begum has won the right to wear her jilbab to school following an appeal court ruling today. As a result of her insistence to wear her jilbab, her school had refused her entry suggesting she join another. Talk about stubborness, she had been happy to wear the regulation school uniform until September 2002, when she had a change of heart and decided that to wear a jilbab would be the way forward, regardless of what the school regulations were.
She doesn't appear very keen on integrating into UK society though as she calls the ruling a victory for Muslims who want to "preserve their identity and values", whatever those are. She expects everyone to tolerate her opinions and customs whilst not prepared to tolerate anyone elses' views. She is amazed that "In the so-called free world I have to fight to wear this attire." Just unfortunate that in this free world, religious attire and practice are now becoming more important than anything else, a school's ability to uphold their uniform policy that "Was agreed by the governing body following wide consultation with the DFES, pupils, parents, schools and leading Muslim organisations." and that "The judges accepted that the school is entitled to have a uniform policy and could see nothing wrong with it,".
As a postscript, it all just seems so pointless now though as she now attends another school anyway where she is allowed to wear the jilbab, she is not seeking any damages and no longer wishes to rejoin her old school, Denbigh High in Luton either!! Once again, lawyers are grinning all the way to the bank...
I assume Shabina would defend my "right" to wear a St. Christopher / crucifix if I ever visit Saudi Arabia and condemn the authorities should I be deported or imprisoned for so doing.
Update!! According to the Daily Mail, the legal case cost £70k, another good waste of my taxes.
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