Muslim group calls on Tulsa bank to review policy on head scarves
BY ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
A Muslim civil liberties organization said a Tulsa bank discriminated against a woman by singling her out for wearing a religiously-mandated head scarf, or hijab.
The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, is calling on Tulsa’s Valley National Bank to review its “inappropriate and discriminatory” policy that treats customers wearing religious head coverings differently than other patrons.
The organization says on Oct. 9, a Muslim woman tried to enter the Valley National branch at 4812 E. 81st St., in hopes that she could exchange foreign currency but was told she would not be able to enter unless accompanied by a bank employee because of their “no hats, no hoods, no sunglasses” policy.
“Singling out Muslim women or other people of faith who wear religiously-mandated head coverings that do not hinder identification is inappropriate and discriminatory,” said Adam Soltani, executive director of CAIR’s Oklahoma chapter. “All customers should be treated equally regardless of their faith or religious practices.”
Read more in Thursday's Tulsa World.
