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Muslim Worker Challenges Disneyland’s ‘Ban’ On Hijab

by | 20th, August 2010

THE burqa battle goes to Disneyland. Our Man in LA looks at the case of Imane Boudial, who is suing Disneyland over their strict dress code:

Disneyland refers to its employees as “cast members“, with a dress code that’s been relaxed over the past fifty years but remains relatively strict. The “Disney look” is meant to ensure all teh guests feel comfortable around all the cast members.

Female cast members can wear small stud or smaller hoop earrings; men may not wear earrings. Fingernails that are long, dirty or painted in a color that is not natural are not allowed. Hair must be of a natural color, looking natural even if it’s not the natural color. Makeup must be only on women, minimal, and natural-looking. Visible tattoos are expressly forbidden. Male cast members are still forbidden from having long hair, sideburns can’t pass the earlobes, and mustaches can’t extend beyond the corners of the employee’s mouth.

This week, a cast member challenged the dress code.

Imane Boudial filed a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in downtown Los Angeles yesterday.

Imane is 26 and a hostess at the Storyteller’s Restaurant in Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel. She’s claiming discrimination because she was sent home for wearing her hijab head scarf covering to work.

Imane says she’s been sent home four times times– without pay.

A Disneyland spokeswoman says Imane’s been offered a chance to work with the head covering (a Muslim expression of faith) away from customers while Disneyland tries to find a compromise that would allow her to cover her head in a way that fits with her “on stage”hostess uniform.

Imane Boudial has worked at Disneyland for two and a half years, but didn’t try to wear the hijab to work until this past weekend.

The immigrant from Morocco has been in the United States for five years. After she became a U.S. citizen in June, she decided to challenge Disney’s dress code (TB).

She says:

“The Constitution tells me I can be Muslim, and I can wear the head scarf. Who is Disney to tell me I cannot?”

The Storyteller restaurant sells Carved New York Strip Loin. There is the Chip ‘n Dale Critter Breakfast. Eating rodents might not be everyone’s idea of a good meal, but then this is American – freedom of choice is all…



Posted: 20th, August 2010 | In: Reviews Comments (3) | TrackBack | Permalink