headscarf-in-europe

The European Union (EU) top court sitting in Luxembourg has ruled that under certain conditions, companies may restrict their staff from wearing Islamic head scarves and other visible religious symbols.

 The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in its ruling on Tuesday cited the case of a Belgian firm that banned its employees that have direct contact with customers from wearing visible religious or political symbols.

 The judges determined that the case of Asma Bougnaoui, a French engineer fired by Micropole, a software company, after complains from a customer on her mode of dressing, may have been discriminatory.

 However in a swift reaction, Francois Fillon, the French Conservative candidate hailed ECJ’s ruling, describing it as “an immense relief” to companies and will contribute to peace efforts in the society.

 However, another group, the European Rabbi, claimed that the court’s ruling may shut Muslim women out of the work force and add to increasing incidences of hate crimes.

 Yet another group, the Open Justice Initiative, backed by the philanthropist, George Soros, said the verdict has weakened the guarantee of equality offered by European Union laws.