Schoolgirl loses Muslim dress court fight

A 15-year-old schoolgirl today lost her High Court battle for the right to wear traditional Muslim dress in the classroom.

Shabina Begum said she was being denied her "right to education and to manifest her religious beliefs".

But lawyers for the head teacher and governors of Denbigh High School, Luton, raised fears that a win for Shabina could cause unwelcome divisions among pupils, as well as health and safety risks.

Some Muslim girls might be regarded as "better Muslims" than others, a judge was told in a test case with important implications for multi-faith schools across the country.