School lifts its ban on Islamic headscarves

A secondary school has decided to lift its controversial ban on Muslim girls wearing headscarves.

Governors at Icknield High School in Luton were warned the ban on the hijab could break the Race Relations Act. Last night governors agreed it should be lifted at the start of the summer term.

Until now the school had forbidden headwear in the classroom, despite the fact that around a third of its pupils are Muslims. Extremist Islamic group Al-Muhajiroun had picketed the school gates.

A parent reported the ban to Luton council, which said the rule might be illegal, and recommended lifting it in favour of a black schoolapproved headscarf. Chairman of governors Geoff Lambert said the move would bring Icknield into line with other local schools.

Akbar Dad Khan of community group Building Bridges said: "The hijab isn't associated with terrorism. It simply reflects the religion and culture." In a separate case, Muslim pupil Shabina Begum, 15, is taking Luton's Denbigh High School to a judicial review because it will not let her wear a jilbab - a loose ankle-length garment.