Intense criticism has prompted an Ohio high school's principal to cancel a student event in which girls would celebrate diversity by spending a day wearing a Muslim headscarf.Mason High School Mindy McCarty-Stewart also issued an apology in an email Thursday to district families, saying the intent of the April 23 student-led event was meant to be positive, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
| Geez -- that's the next school district over from my house. Generally speaking, it's a good district, with lots of scientists among the parents. |
On the other hand, others complained that having all girls wear scarves seemed mocking of a Muslim tradition, as inappropriate as students dressing up in a priest's collar to celebrate Catholicism.
Sharon Poe, a former school board candidate in the district, told the Enquirer she opposed the "Covered Girl" event.
"My belief is wearing these hijabs represents the oppression of women and Sharia law," she said, adding that public schools should not be promoting one religious tradition over another.