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Disney Unveils Hijab-Included Costume for a Muslim Intern
Disney intern Noor Abdallah, 22, has a new specially-designed costumed that incorporates the head-covering she wears as a part of her Muslim faith, according to the AP.
Abdallah had been working as a vacation planner for the Disneyland resort, but took a job in the stockroom when her head scarf, or hijab, became an issue. "Vacation planners are costumed employees, whose outfits include an optional baseball-style cap," explains the LA Times.
A group intervened on behalf of the intern when they learned of her job re-assignment. Disney agreed to design a special costume for Abdallah, but said it would take five months--the same amount of time as her internship was expected to last.
Now Disney has restored Abdallah to her "front-stage job" and has provided her with a costume that includes a beret and a scarf. However, Abdallah "will not have the option to take off her hat while wearing the scarf-type covering," says Disneyland Resort spokeswoman Suzi Brown.
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Abdallah is the second Muslim woman to make headlines in recent months for her struggles with Disneyland and her wish to wear her religious head-covering while on the job. Imane Boudlal, a hostess at a restaurant at a Downtown Disney venue, was removed from the work schedule after continuing to show up to work wearing her hijab, which is not permitted as part of her position's mandatory costume.
Boudlal wore her hijab to work despite being told it was not acceptable, and after refusing to accept a reassignment to a position with less public interaction. The Council on American-Islamic Relations say Boudlal's case with Disney remains ongoing.
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