Muslim women struggle with Germany’s ‘hijab ban’ in workplaces

The ECJ has said companies can ban religious garb in the workplace, but the ruling comes with conditions.

When 24-year-old Shilan Ahmad arrived to start work at a nursery in Erfurt, Germany, she was immediately turned away.

She had applied for the job with her resume and a photo. When she received approval by phone from the nursery’s director, she was excited.

But as she met Ahmad in person last December, the director took one look at her and turned to the colleague who had organised the meeting.