Palestinian careers adviser who was allegedly told to stop wearing keffiyeh at Sydney school sues for racial discrimination
Summary
A Palestinian careers adviser at a Sydney government school is suing the state of New South Wales for racial discrimination. He claims he was told to stop wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, because it was seen as a symbol of conflict and might cause problems at school.Key Facts
- Wasim El-Haj worked as a careers adviser at Sydney Girls High School.
- He began wearing the keffiyeh at school in January 2024, after conflicts in the Middle East escalated.
- The acting principal told him in May 2024 to remove the keffiyeh, saying it was seen as a symbol of conflict.
- The direction came from higher authorities, possibly from the education minister.
- The school emailed that the keffiyeh should not be worn because it might cause strong emotions and discord.
- An internal complaint by El-Haj was rejected, and a senior education official upheld the ban, citing safety and neutrality.
- El-Haj alleges the ban breached the Australian Racial Discrimination Act.
- He took leave from his job from May 2024 until the end of the year.
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