Muslim woman sues Abercrombie & Fitch over hijab

SAN FRANCISCO — A former stockroom worker for Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is suing the clothing retailer in federal court, saying she was illegally fired after refusing to remove her Muslim headscarf.

Hani Khan said Monday that a store manager at the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo, Calif., hired her while she was wearing her hijab and told her it was OK to wear it as long as it was in company colors.

Four months later, the 20-year-old says a district manager and human resources manager asked if she could remove the hijab while working, and she was suspended and then fired for refusing to do so.

The New Albany, Ohio, company could not immediately be reached for comment.

The lawsuit comes after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled Khan was fired illegally.