Apology extended by CU in head-scarf incident

WASHINGTON (3/12/09)--A Muslim woman who wore an Islamic head scarf received an apology Tuesday from a credit union that made her leave the teller line and conduct financial business in a back room because of the credit union's new "no hats, no hoods, no sunglasses" policy.

Kenza Shelley received the call from Navy FCU's senior vice president for security, who apologized and said the credit union's new security policy should have allowed Shelley to be served by tellers at the front counter of its branch in Southern Maryland. The credit union is headquartered in Vienna, Va.

The religious scarf left Shelley clearly identifiable, the credit union told The Washington Post (March 10), adding that its policy does not prohibit religious head gear.

The credit union implemented the policy in December as a deterrent to robberies and identity theft. It is in the process of training employees.

The Maryland incident is the second at a branch of the credit union within a month. In February the credit union issued an apology after another woman in an Islamic head scarf experienced the same situation at a branch in Mission, Calif. (News Now March 11).

courtesy of cuna.org