Disney, Muslim worker agree on scarf substitute

[milojthatch]

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Disney is allowing a Muslim employee at its Southern California park to wear a specially designed headscarf after initially objecting to her religious head covering.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Monday that 22-year-old Noor Abdallah 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.

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

Brown says the case is separate from that of another Muslim Disney worker who refused to accept a costume headpiece and filed a federal discrimination complaint.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100927/ap_ ... lim_worker

[blackcauldron85]

Oh...I was thinking that this was going to be about the other case where the cast member was being really difficult. Good for this cast member for working with Disney and not being a whiner and doing her job.

[Lorddh]

It gets on my nerves how difficult these people are. They never want to obey the rules, yet we all have to. I had to cut my hair to work at disneyworld, I should of made a big deal like them and call them discriminators, but I didn't because I understand and think it's an awesome thing to have a specific way of dressing. No one is forcing them to work there. Argh.

[milojthatch]

Question: Would you feel that way if it was a Christian or Jew crying religious discrimination?

[Lorddh]

Question: Would you feel that way if it was a Christian or Jew crying religious discrimination?

Well, we are always persecuted in Muslim countries, and even here they expect people to go by their rules instead of the countries they're immigrating to. For example, they get bothered by Christian things and whine about it and don't realize they're living in countries that are culturally Christian. They need to respect the country's culture, just like we do when we go to their countries. I'm not racist, but I just don't like their rude thickheaded ways. :/

[milojthatch]

Question: Would you feel that way if it was a Christian or Jew crying religious discrimination?

Well, we are always persecuted in Muslim countries, and even here they expect people to go by their rules instead of the countries they're immigrating to. For example, they get bothered by Christian things and whine about it and don't realize they're living in countries that are culturally Christian. They need to respect the country's culture, just like we do when we go to their countries. I'm not racist, but I just don't like their rude thickheaded ways. :/

Eye for an eye, huh? And that's NOT thick headed? I'm getting tired of people saying when it comes to Muslims, "Well, they don't treat Christians with respect in Middle East nations, so why should we?" Is that really what Christianity teaches us? Is that really what the United States is about? Funny, I always thought our freedom of religion was so special BECAUSE we were unlike every other country when it comes to religion and how ones that are different are treated, and that even if our majority religions were not treated as freely in other nation, we never became them and gave those who followed faiths from those nations with more respect then they would ever give us back. It's who we are and why in the late 1700's, we were so radical and still are today, because we take the high road, or at least we are suppose to.

I say this anti-Muslim crap and "Eye for an Eye" approach most Americans seem to have these days makes us no different then any other nation, and less special.

I think it's great that this woman is willing to work with Disney, and bravo Disney for not putting tehir feet down completely on this, but even if she didn't work with them at all, there is little reason why ANY American wouldn't support her rights to keeping her job AND honoring her religion. If we start not letting one religion practice their faith, where does it end? THAT is why America is the best country on Earth, becuase we walk the high road every time, or at least are meant to, end of story.

[Disney's Divinity]

Yeah, I'm so glad Disney worked with the one woman on her costume. Businesses, like any other organization/system, are supposed to work on egalitarian terms and, as long as someone doesn't start spouting Bible/Torah/Koran verses and forcing their religion down someone else's throat, I believe everyone should be accommodated.

[Lorddh]

This has nothing to do with freedom of religion, but Muslims want to use that just to get away with everything!!! Supposably Islam doesn't require people to cover their heads, yet they do it and make a big deal about it. They know that Disney requires a certain way to dress, yet they come and expect everyone to go their way, and that leads to what I was saying about how they come to other countries (primarily Christian) and don't want to respect the locol question, and yes I'm talking about what's going on in Europe!!! Yet, they expect everyone to obey their rules when we visit their country! For example, if a lady goes over there and she isn't even Muslim she still needs to cover her head or they'll throw her in jail. So it should be an eye for an eye.

[Escapay]

The Disney Look is very strict, and usually you're not allowed on-stage unless you comply with it. I once forgot to shave before coming in to work, and even though I had barely noticeable stubble, my managers told me to go buy a razor from the vending machine and do a quick shave before going out.

When it came to my hair, I got it cut right before I started working, and let it grow out over the summer. By the time my program ended, my hair was longer than the approved Disney Look, and my manager simply let me slip by without getting it cut since they knew I would finish my program soon.

Religion-wise, I would wear a devotional scapular beneath my costume. It conflicted with the Disney Look simply because the only neckwear we're allowed to wear are pin lanyards. My managers allowed that as it was hidden from view and also because they understood how important it was to me in my own faith (not that all Christians wear a scapular, but I always did).

For the Muslim cast member, I'm glad they were able to reach a compromise. It allows her to still respect her faith by covering her hair/head, while also staying within the Disney Look by being a functional/stylistic part of her costume.

albert

[Flanger-Hanger]

Given the fact that she does not work within a specific "themed" environment like a park land or resort hotel I feel it is acceptable for her to request her religious wear and am glad to hear Disney took the time to help redesign her "costume".

[Disney Duster]

This has nothing to do with freedom of religion, but Muslims want to use that just to get away with everything!!! Supposably Islam doesn't require people to cover their heads, yet they do it and make a big deal about it.

Do you know for sure if that is true?

And do you know if that's her religion?

Here's the thing: I don't see why she would actually want to cover her head, especially in hot, hot Florida. I know a girl who has to wear that but doesn't like to in the hotter times of the year.

This is about her thinking to not wear it would be sacrilage and sin, isn't it?

[Super Aurora]

Here's the thing: I don't see why she would actually want to cover her head, especially in hot, hot Florida. I know a girl who has to wear that but doesn't like to in the hotter times of the year.

covering your head from the sun is a good thing actually. What you think why in deserts people wear hats and other head covering piece? To block off the sun.

oh and this news is in California, not Florida.

[Disney Duster]

California is still hot. I still don't see why she would want to wear it. It is because she feels she has to, it is out of respect and a duty she must do for her spiritual beliefs which are most important to her.