Citadel considers exception to allow Muslim headscarf

Associated Press

CHARLESTON, S.C.

An incoming freshman female student at The Citadel has asked the military college to let her wear a traditional Muslim headscarf when she begins classes in the fall, the first time such a request has been made at the school known for its buttoned-up uniforms and close-cropped haircuts.

Citadel spokeswoman Kim Keelor said Friday that although a number of Muslims have attended the public college, she hasn’t heard of any of them ever asking to wear a headscarf.

South Carolina’s military college, founded in 1842, has a policy that states the college will approve religious accommodation requests unless it “will have an adverse impact on a competing institutional interest including, but not limited to, cohesion, morale, good order and discipline, cadet welfare, safety and/or health.”