Rants & Raves: Muslim headdress at The Citadel
On The Citadel not allowing a Muslim student to wear her hijab:
She knew the dress code and agreed by applying. This tells me she’s just looking for attention and causing trouble by agreeing to follow the rules and then wanting the rules to change when she gets there to suit her. There are fine colleges all over the country, go to one of those that suit your needs.
Heather Toole Hawkins
People are all about freedom of religion as long as it aligns with their ideology or their bigoted views. If it was someone telling a Christian to remove a cross pendant or something similar, heads would roll.
Timothy Pate
The Citadel started admitting women in 1995 and it didn’t weaken any traditions at the school. I think that was far more significant of a change than allowing a cadet to wear a hijab for religious reasons.
Mike Sampogna
The uniform is the uniform. One of the first thing taught is conformity and don’t stick out.
Ric Snow
The women who have been attending the Citadel since 1995 have been wearing the required uniform. I’m sorry, but a hijab is not part of the uniform, nor should it ever be. She knew the rules before making her decision to attend. If she didn’t like them, then she should go elsewhere — not try to change the rules to accommodate her own personal “uniform.”
Terry Wright
We’re all allowed to apply at any place we want to but if something doesn’t fit into your beliefs then don’t apply.
Barbara Zsigovits
The Citadel did not ban hijabs. She can wear a hijab during other activities in which she is not required to wear the uniform of the day. For example, during ROTC or PT and is allowed to wear it when going to religious services as well.
Michael Dollfus
She knew the rules when she applied to the school. If she didn’t like them, she shouldn’t have applied.
Madeline McDonald Collins
Right on. Freedom of religion is the right to worship our God. That does not translate into changing American tradition for your personal choice.
Todd Johnson
Tradition in the military is done for a more substantial reason than “just because.” Everything you are taught is for your survival as well as the safety of those around you. If every member does their assigned duty as expected, then the unit functions like a well oiled machine. If one member does not function properly then the machine fails. I did not go to The Citadel, but I did serve for 12 years, so I can say these things with absolute certainty.
Ethan Simons
If you want to be part of The Citadel than you must abide by their rules, they shouldn’t have to change for someone and that goes for any form of the United States Military!
Joanne Servidio De Vito
It’s almost like people want to get in with the intention of bringing a matter like this up; to erode The Citadel from the inside out and bring the weight of negative public opinion to bear.
Philip Cho
The institution does not need to change, the applicant needs to accept the traditions of the institution!
Veronica Rudick
So, what you’re saying, is if a Georgia State football player transfers to the Citadel, he can’t wear the Georgia State uniform during the games?
Roger Max Heumann
This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Rants & Raves: Muslim headdress at The Citadel."