Storied Military Academy Weighs Allowing Incoming Muslim Freshman to Wear Hijab
The Citadel, established in 1842 and steeped in a legacy that is unrivaled by practically any other American institution of higher learning, is giving serious consideration to taking a step that is as much a departure from the traditions of the military as it is a giant ���cannonball��� into the lake of political correctness. The same school that graduated a slew of Civil War generals, along with more modern-day military standouts like William Westmoreland, commander of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, and is famously (or infamously) known for its strictness even by the standard of military academies���is now giving serious consideration to the request made by an incoming Muslim freshman that she be allowed to wear a hijab as a part of her regular dress.
In the eyes of many, that the school is mulling any kind of exception to its uniform standards and rules is bad enough. However, part of what is causing such acute consternation for many over the proposed move���is that it would benefit a student of the Muslim faith at a time in American history when there is an ongoing national dialogue about how Islam ���fits��� in American society, particularly as the nation continues its active participation in an ongoing, global war against that religion���s radical elements.
According to the school���s policy on making accommodations for students on the basis of religion, it says, in part, ���The Citadel will approve requests for accommodation of religious practices unless accommodation 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." Many of those who strongly object to allowing the exception in this case point precisely to the very standard outlined in the school���s policy as a good enough reason to slam the door shut on even the idea of granting the Muslim student���s request.
By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large
