US girl pulled from game for wearing headscarf

A Muslim mother and father from Maryland say they were upset when a referee made their daughter sit out the first half of a basketball game because of safety concerns about her headscarf.

Dr Mohammad and Anina Haq said that 12-year-old Maheen was allowed back in the game on Saturday wearing her head covering after Mid-Maryland Girls Basketball league officials conferred on liability issues.

They say their daughter was in tears after she was called out.

League scheduler Jim Shannon tells The Frederick News-Post that a referee was concerned because the headscarf wraps around the neck.

Another league official says the by-laws will be amended to allow for headscarves if the parents assume liability.