CHARLESTON, S.C. — An
American Muslim student admitted to the Class of 2020 Corps of Cadets at The
Citadel will not be allowed to wear a religious headscarf with the military
college’s standard uniform.

In a statement released by
Citadel President Lt. Gen. John Rosa, the decision to reject the request came
from an “essential” need to standardize the appearance of the cadets
regardless of their religious requirements.

“This process reflects an
initial relinquishing of self during which cadets learn the value of teamwork
to function as a single unit. Upon graduation, The Citadel’s graduates are
prepared to enter a life committed to principled leadership in military service
and civilian careers,” Rosa said in the statement.

Rosa says while the request
was rejected, religious beliefs are respected at The Citadel and freshman
cadets meet with a number of faith-based organizations from the community. The
school also offers rides to and from places of worship and accommodates dietary
and prayer requirements.

“The diversity of
religions and cultural backgrounds represented in the Corps enriches the
overall cadet experience and better prepares graduates to become principled
leaders in all walks of life, underpinned by The Citadel’s core values of
honor, duty and respect,” Rosa said.

A spokesman for the family of
a newly-accepted Muslim student at the Citadel says the prospective cadet is
disappointed that the school has rejected her request to wear a head covering
as part of her uniform.

Ibrahim Hooper with the
Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington said he spoke with the
family after Citadel officials called to tell the woman she could not wear a
hijab. Hooper said the woman will not attend the Charleston school this fall
unless there is a change. He also said the family is considering legal options.

The American Civil Liberties
Union sent a letter to The Citadel in March defending the student’s request to
wear her hijab.

According to The Citadel,
there are currently 3 Muslim students, 9 Jewish students, 9 Buddhist students,
39 agnostic or atheist, and 89 listed as “other.” The rest of the
2,166 cadets are listed as some denomination of Christianity.