The Citadel rejected her hijab, but another military school embraces Muslim student’s request

[cali]

Norwich University, a nearly 200-year-old private military college in Vermont, has granted an accepted student’s request to wear hijab in keeping with her Muslim faith, a decision that was welcomed by some but also provoked outrage for some alumni and cadets.

The same student requested a similar exception to the required uniform from The Citadel, touching off a highly charged debate at the public military college in South Carolina where loyalty to the corps is a fundamental value and individual preferences are set aside to encourage unity. The idea that the first exception might be for a Muslim student was particularly polarizing, given the national discussion and starkly divergent views about the role of Islam in U.S. culture.


The Citadel denied her request.


It was the first formal request for a religious accommodation to the uniform at Norwich, spokeswoman Daphne Larkin said, so they reached out to peer institutions “and came to the conclusion that it makes sense for Norwich to continue to be dynamic in how we serve our students.”

“Regardless of their spiritual or religious affiliation, all students and employees should feel welcome and comfortable at Norwich University,” Norwich President Richard Schneider wrote in announcing the exception to the required Corps of Cadets uniform. “Norwich University is a learning community that is American in character yet global in perspective.”


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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/05/26/the-citadel-rejected-her-hijab-but-another-military-school-embraces-muslim-students-request/

[Bad Dog]

1. It's sensible.

If organisations exclude members of minorities they're not likely to feel that much loyalty to their adopted country. We had a similar thing years ago with Sikhs and motorbikes, and our highway code was amended accordingly.

On all journeys, the rider and pillion passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped MUST wear a protective helmet. This does not apply to a follower of the Sikh religion while wearing a turban.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-motorcyclists-83-to-88

Funny thing is I've never seen a biker wearing a turban.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. Dear Dog, not all minorities 'adopted' this country many of us were born here and have been

excluded from organizations and institutions and various rights their entire lives. It's not unusual for the majority to do that to minorities. I find it obnoxious when people affect that it is unusual.
If doing so is wrong, then why is it so commonly done? That's the actual question.

[Bad Dog]

4. I don't know enough about the American psyche to answer that question,

not being American.

[MADem]

2. AFAIK, that won't translate to active military service. Yet, anyway. Soon, maybe.

US military does make exceptions for yarmulkes and Sikh turbans/beards for religious reasons. I haven't seen hijab...but I really don't know if anyone has asked.

It seems to me they'd have a hard time denying it given the loosening of restrictions for other religious forms of expression.