ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, April 16, 1996                TAG: 9604160104
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-2  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: FALLS CHURCH

MUSLIM GROUP CLAIMS HIRING BIAS

An Islamic advocacy group on Monday urged a boycott of a hotel it claims refused to hire a Muslim woman who wanted to wear a head scarf on the job.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations says the Quality Inn Governor in Falls Church discriminated against Hanem Zahwy, 41, because of her religious beliefs.

According to Islamic belief, Muslim women must wear clothing over all of the body except for the face and hands, and must cover their heads with a scarf.

Zahwy says she may sue the hotel, even though she still wants to work there as a front desk clerk.

Hotel owner Philip Kirby says the scarf violates the uniform code. Zahwy says she is willing to wear a scarf of any color or fabric to fit in with the hotel's uniform.

- Associated Press

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