Court to hear arguments over Muslim cop’s scarf

By Guest Column —— Bio and Archives September 9, 2008

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Lawyers for a Philadelphia police officer who wants to wear a Muslim head scarf say department brass have no justifiable reason to make her take it off at work.

In June 2007, a federal judge ruled the police department did not discriminate against 46-year-old Kimberlie Webb when it told her she couldn't wear the head scarf at work because it violates uniform regulations. Attorneys for Webb are asking a federal appeals panel in Philadelphia to overturn the decision. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Tuesday. Webb's attorneys say the hijab is blue or black and goes with her uniform colors. They say it is barely visible beneath her cap, tucked away mostly in her shirt. More...