Salon Owner Sued by Muslim Hairdresser

(London, England) A 32-year-old hair salon owner, Sarah Desrosiers, was sued by a 19-year-old Muslim stylist, Bushra Noel, and is on the verge of financial ruin.

After a ten-minute interview, Bushra stated that she wouldn't remove her headscarf even while working. So, she wasn't hired.

Desrosiers understandably realized that her business of providing "urban and edgy" hairstyling wouldn't be enhanced by a hairdresser who wouldn't show her hair. Bushra sued on the basis of discrimination. A court ruled that Desrosiers must pay Bushra £4,000 because her feelings were hurt.

Although Bushra is believed to have been acting alone, in the past similar cases have been championed by Muslim traditionalist groups.

In 2006, the Law Lords overturned a court ruling that teenager Shabina Begum's human rights were violated when she was banned from wearing full Islamic dress at school.

The extremist Muslim group Hizb ut-Tahrir later admitted that it had 'advised her'.

Meanwhile, Sarah Desrosiers is wondering how to raise the £4,000 she has been ordered to pay Bushra. She has spent her savings on her legal battle and simply has no money left.

An appeal of the verdict is being considered.