A Muslim woman seeking to enrol in The Citadel military college in South Carolina recently made a request to be allowed to wear a hijab with her uniform, but the school denied her request.
The student was "heartbroken" over the school's decision, according to Reuters.
The Citadel President Lt. Gen. John Rosa explained that the public military college considers its standardised uniforms as essential in its students' learning process.
"Uniformity is the cornerstone of this four-year leader development model," Rosa said in a statement. "This process reflects an initial relinquishing of self during which cadets learn the value of teamwork to function as a single unit."
Rosa said the student's request to wear her hijab was given "considerable review" by the college in Charleston since The Citadel officials recognise the importance of individual religious beliefs.
Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, D.C., said the student has no plans on enrolling in The Citadel unless she is given religious accommodation.
"She was in tears this morning," said Hooper. "She told the commandant that it was not fair for her to have to choose between her faith and attending The Citadel."
Several students and alumni also backed the school's decision not to grant an exception, citing the college's beliefs regarding uniformity in apparel and privileges. The only time that a cadet is allowed to wear something different apart from the college-issued uniform is when he or she is on leave.
The Citadel actually made an exception several years back and allowed a student to wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt for physical fitness training because of the student's religious beliefs, said The Citadel spokesman Brett Ashworth. They have also granted requests made by students for religious accommodations, prayer and dietary needs.
"We do everything we can to support our cadets," Ashworth said.
