by TChris

Muslim head scarves have been in the news recently, as an Oklahoma school district settled a lawsuit attacking a dress code that prohibited Muslim students from wearing a hijab. The Constitution protects students from the government's interference with the free exercise of their religions, while federal legislation provides private employees with more limited protection against religious discrimination. Using that law, a Muslim employee of Walt Disney World sued Disney, alleging that she was fired because she wouldn't remove her head scarf at work.

Aicha Baha says she was fired after her religious faith compelled her to defy Disney's policy prohibiting employees from wearing anything other than their uniforms. The only head coverings Disney allows are Disney hats (and possibly mouse ears). Federal law requires employers to reasonably accommodate an employee's need to practice a religion. Baha says Disney offered to accommodate her religious needs by allowing her to wear the hijab in private, but not when she was in contact with the public.

Baha has good reason to believe that it would be reasonable for Disney to let her practice her religion on more than a part-time basis.