Clinic to Muslim doctor: Its policy bars headscarf

[October 31, 2009]  DALLAS (AP) -- A Muslim doctor interviewing for a job at a suburban Dallas medical clinic says officials there told her she couldn't wear her headscarf in the workplace.

Dr. Hena Zaki of Plano, Texas, said Friday that she was shocked when CareNow officials told her that a no-hat policy extended to her hijab.

The 29-year-old doctor wants an apology and a change in CareNow's policy.

However, CareNow President Tim Miller says he sees nothing wrong with the policy and feels no need to apologize. In a statement, his company says it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion or national origin in employment decisions.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations calls CareNow's policy "a blatant violation" of federal law.

[Associated Press]

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