SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON - The US Defence Department has allowed Muslim and Sikh students who wear an Islamic hijab or a turban to participate in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a press release. In October, the Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization wrote to Defence Secretary Leon Panetta after a 14-year-old Muslim student at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee, was forced to transfer out of a JROTC class when her commanding officers told her she could not wear hijab while marching in the September homecoming parade.
In a December 19 letter sent to CAIR, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Larry Stubblefield wrote:
“I have been asked to respond on behalf of the Secretary of Defence Leon E. Panetta to your October 13, 2011 letter concerning Miss Demin Zawity’s request to wear a religious head covering (hijab) while participating in an Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) event at Ravenwood High School.
“Based on your concerns, the Army has reviewed its JROTC uniform policy and will develop appropriate procedures to provide Cadets the opportunity to request the wear of religious head dress, such as the turban and hijab. This change will allow Miss Zawity and other students the chance to fully participate in the JROTC programme. Additionally, a representative from the US Army Cadet Command will contact Miss Zawity and provide her the opportunity to rejoin the Ravenwood High School JROTC unit.
“The Army prides itself in being a diverse organization, comprised of individuals from many faiths and religions. We appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention.”
“We welcome the fact that Muslim and Sikh students nationwide will now be able to participate fully in JROTC leadership activities while maintaining their religious beliefs and practices,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.