Merseyside, February 27: Let alone facing verbal attacks over their headscarf, female Muslim students in Liverpool are denied bus drives for wearing hijab, reported.
“They should not push their own personal prejudices on young people,” Amina Ismail, a Muslim community leader, said.
Ismail said hijab-clad students at West Derby’s Holly Lodge Girls’ College in Merseyside are being insulted by racists at bus stops over their headscarf.
Fearing troubles with racists, bus drivers refuse to stop for the veiled Muslim girls.
“They (Muslim girls) said people driving past were being abusive because they were wearing the hijab at the bus stops on Queens Drive or West Derby Road,” said Ismail.
Local and college officials confirmed that Muslim students were being attacked over their headscarf.
“There have been a small number of cases where ignorant people have directed racist comments at our pupils while they are on buses,” Head-teacher Julia Tinsley said.
“It is completely unacceptable and very upsetting for those involved and we have provided support to those affected.”
Hijab is a Muslim women code of dress not a religious symbol that shows one religious affiliation.
British Muslim, estimated at 2.4 million, have been in the face of storm since 7/7 terror attacks.
Stop Racism
Merseyside police held talks with travel authority Merseytravel and Muslim leaders to discuss how to stop racist attacks.
“We will be putting police community support officers on public buses during the periods these incidents are happening to reassure passengers and deter would-be offenders,” a police spokesman said.
The police also decided to review street cameras, CCTV, to stop anti-Muslim assaults.
“CCTV will be routinely checked following allegations of any criminal offence.”
Merseytravel, which runs the local buses, also vowed to ensure that Muslim girls are guaranteed their rights.
“(We) all acts of racism” it said.
“(We have) drawn up an action plan to deal with and prevent any further incidents,” it said, but without releasing details of the measures which might be implemented.
Ismail, the Muslim community leader, urged Britons to stand up against racism in the country.
“(People should) see past the scarf or skin color and look beyond this.”
-Agencies