2004-MAY-20: Oklahoma student can wear hijab: Nashala Heam, an 11-year old student of the Muskogee Public School District in Oklahoma City, OK, was suspended twice by the school for wearing a hijab -- a head scarf worn by devout Muslim women and girls. The scarf violated a school dress code that banned hats and other head coverings. The school board maintained that the other students were "frightened" by her scarf. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in 2004-MAR on her behalf. The school district has also agreed to modify the dress code to allow for religious exceptions, and to educate teachers and other staff about the new code. R. Alexander Acosta, assistant attorney general for civil rights of the Justice Department said: "This settlement reaffirms the principle that public schools cannot require students to check their faith at the schoolhouse door...It is un-American to fear and to hate." ₁

2004-MAY-27: Fourth New Jersey school district to observe Islamic holidays: The Atlantic City School District is the fourth district in New Jersey to recognize Islamic holy days. Trenton, Paterson and Irvington had made this decision previously. A school holiday will be held on 2004-NOV-15 for Eid al-Fitr -- a festival celebrating the end of  Ramadan. Another will be held on 2005-JAN-21 for Eid al-Adha, a festival of sacrifice and pilgrimage. Newsday.com reports that "Board member Cornell Davis, who is Muslim, called the decision 'courageous' in light of current tensions between Americans and Islamic extremists. Davis said: 'It shows a lot of character about us as Americans'." About 7% of students in the district are Muslim. ₂

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