Swiss Court Upholds Basketball Headscarf Ban

January 28, 2010

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8484890.stm

A Muslim woman has failed to overturn a ban stopping her from wearing a headscarf during league basketball matches in Switzerland.

Sura al-Shawk, 19, was told she could not wear a headscarf by the basketball association (ProBasket) in August 2009.

A local court in Lucerne has upheld the ruling on safety grounds. ProBasket also argued the sport needed to stay religiously neutral.

Ms al-Shawk can appeal again within 10 days.

Ms al-Shawk is a Swiss citizen with an Iraqi background and plays for STV Luzern.