Disney, Muslim Worker Agree on Hijab Substitute

Disney is allowing a Muslim employee at its Orange County park to wear a specially designed headscarf after initially objecting to her religious head covering, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Noor Abdallah, 22, was told she couldn't wear the hijab while working as a vacation planner at a Disneyland Resort Esplanade ticket booth. She declined to take another job away from the public, according to the council.

The park worked with Abdallah to design a covering to match her costume and meet her religious needs, said Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown. She's been wearing a blue scarf topped with a beret since early this month.

"Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has a long history of accommodating a variety of religious requests from cast members of all faiths -- with more than 200 accommodations made over the last three years and this instance was no different,'' Brown said in a statement.

This case is separate from that of Imane Boudlal, who refused to accept a costume headpiece and filed a federal discrimination complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

"I do not want to wear ridiculous hats that draw more attention to me, while hiding that I'm Muslim," Boudlal said in a union-issued statement back in August. "I hope Disney will stop making a joke of my religion and accept me for who I am."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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