Case of British teacher who refused to remove veil dismissed

Aishah Azmi was suspended last year after she refused to remove her veil that leaves only the eyes visible, during lessons at her school.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
muslim woman 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
muslim woman 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
A British employment tribunal on Friday dismissed an appeal by a Muslim teaching assistant who said she was the victim of discrimination when she was suspended after refusing to remove her veil in the classroom. Aishah Azmi was suspended last year after she refused to remove her veil that leaves only the eyes visible, during lessons at her school. Azmi, who taught 11-year-olds at Headfield Church of England Junior School, in Dewsbury, northern England, was later fired. Last year, an employment tribunal awarded Azmi 1,000 pounds (US$1,900; €1,500) for injury to her feelings, but denied her claim of discrimination and harassment. Azmi then appealed the decision. Her case helped feed an acrimonious debate over the ability of fully veiled women to participate in British society that drew in even Prime Minister Tony Blair, who said the veil was a "a mark of separation."