Swiss court bans Muslim baskteball player from wearing headscarf during games
Sura Al Shawk cannot play basketball because of her headscarf
A Swiss girl of Iraqi origin has failed to overturn a ban on wearing a headscarf while playing league basketball matches in Switzerland.
Sura Al Shawk, 19, was last August told by the basketball association (ProBasket) that she was not allowed to play for her STV Luzern club with the head scarf. The association said that the veil was a visible religious symbol and that the game needed to remain religiously neutral.
Sura contested the decision and in November filed a case, supported by Daniel Vischer, a local MP representing the Green Party.
But, the court on Thursday supported the association’s claims and said that the overall safety regulations and compliance with regulations came ahead of Sura’s personal interests and wish to wear a headscarf.
Sura has ten days to appeal the ruling.
