CAIR-PA: Penn. Muslims Removed from School Over Kaffiyehs

UPDATE: Gateway H.S. Agrees To Allow Controversial Muslim Scarves
http://www.wpxi.com/news/18737142/detail.html

SEE ALSO: Gateway Students Allowed To Wear Cultural Scarves
http://kdka.com/local/scarves.Muslim.Gateway.2.937874.html

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/17/09) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said today that two Muslim students were told they could not return to Gateway High School in Monroeville, Penn., while wearing kaffiyehs, a checkered scarf worn by many men in the Middle East.

A parent of one of the students told CAIR that there will be a meeting Wednesday morning with the principal of the school to discuss the issue.

Students have a constitutionally-protected right to free speech, even symbolic speech, that does not substantially and materially interfere with school activities, said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

SEE: Freedom of Expression
http://www.aclupa.org/education/studentsrightsmanual/freedomofexpression/

Hooper said a local CAIR representative is scheduled to take part in tomorrows meeting with the school principal.

SEE ALSO: Arab Headgear Causes Stir in Gateway (Post-Gazette)
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09049/949874-85.stm
Students Say They're Asked To Leave School Because of Clothing (Video)
http://www.wpxi.com/news/18737142/detail.html

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR-Pittsburgh Communications Coordinator Zohra Lasania, 412-606-3601

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