Muslim Headwear

school dress codes have been around for decades but gained greater prominence in schools and are more stringent in recent years in response to penetration of gangs and violence in schools at all levels. In addition to maintaining modesty in schools, dress codes now ban gang paraphernalia, colors and symbols shirts with writing, hats and other accessories such which were gang-related or school violence .

Although all schools in Houston have a dress code, each school develops its own policy Houston. One thing all schools in Houston dress codes have in common is an allowance for religious accommodation. When Houston school students and religious traditions of the requirements conflict with school dress codes, it can be waived. With the diversity felt by schools in Houston in recent years, the Houston school principals are a delicate balance between religious freedom and security issues on an increasing basis.

An example is the campus of Houston ISD, which has students from 72 countries. Principal Steve Amstutz receives many requests dress code exemption each year. His policy is to meet privately with a student requesting an exception to discuss the issue. If the request is real and based on religious, the exemption is granted.

In a precedent-setting 1969 Supreme Court in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, the Court held, "It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the school gate." Since that decision, the dispute the dress code that trials become usually see the court ruling in favor of students, especially when they involve religious dress.

While most disputes are still the dress code in schools in Houston, applications for exemption and complaints are increasing. Charles C. Haynes, senior researcher at the First Amendment Center, studies the issue of exceptions religious dress codes and school uniforms. He notes the increase is due to stricter dress code policies to ensure a safer environment, and the growth and organization of certain minority groups who are increasingly vocal.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists were the first to challenge the policies of the school dress code in Houston. Currently, Muslims are at the forefront, although other groups such as Hindus and Sikhs, are beginning to organize, as well.

Although some Islamic dress and traditions are not mandatory, like men with beards, many Islamic scholars to recommend them. Muslim (Islamic females) have problems when uniforms are required to wear or school does not allow hats. For many, they wear the traditional Islamic (jilbab or abaya) and the hijab (headscarf). Many students it is their Islamic duty to respect their religious traditions, particularly around the feast of Ramadan.

Iliana Gonzalez, an expert on civil rights for the Houston Council on American-Islamic rights, fields about 35 complaints per year from the Houston school students regarding the dress code. She said a telephone call to Houston schools usually solves the problem. Many Houston schools administrators are not aware of the law on these issues, but most parents do not want the action beyond the call.