This article is inaccurate. Sabrina Begum was fighting not to wear hijab (the headscarf) but to wear the jilbab gown. Muslim female pupils in the school ARE allowed to wear a special school uniform with the veil and a salwar kameez (which covers to the wrists and ankles). She argued that her interpretation of the Koran led her to believe that the more enveloping jilbab was what was mandated by the suras in question. The school authorities argued that allowing an exception for her would create a divisive hierarchy of ”conservative” and ”liberal” Muslim girls and create pressure to wear the jilbab. It would also interfere with her school work (physical education, working in science labs etc).