Britain's Court of Appeal has ruled that a teenage Muslim girl's rights were violated when her high school refused to let her wear a full Islamic dress.
The court said Wednesday a clothing ban at Denbigh High School in Luton, north of London, violated Shabina Begum's right to religious freedom. The school sent Begum home in September 2002 after she showed up wearing a jilbab, a long gown that covers the entire body except for the hands and face. She has not returned to school since then.
The Court of Appeal ruling reversed a previous high court decision.
Before the controversy, Begun had been wearing a shalwar kameez to school that consists of trousers and a tunic. School rules allowed that.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters, AFP and AP.