The British Muslim teacher who refused to remove her face mask during class has been awarded cash for ‘injured feelings’. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

The Muslim teaching assistant who sparked a political storm after she refused to remove her veil during lessons, has won her employment tribunal case for victimisation against the school which suspended her but lost her claims for discrimination and harassment.

Aishah Azmi, 23, received compensation but did not succeed in her discrimination claim
Ms Azmi was awarded £1,000 for “injury to feelings” after she succeeded in her claim of victimisation. But her claims of direct and indirect discrimination, and her claim of harassment, were dismissed.

Kirklees Council suspended Aishah Azmi, 24, after she refused to remove her veil while teaching at Headfield Church of England Junior School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

The school said face-to-face communication was essential for Ms Azmi’s job as a bilingual support worker. The case fuelled an ongoing debate about the use of the veil and the way that the Muslim community integrates into British society.

In a statement Mrs Azmi said she was considering an appeal against the decision to dismiss three of her claims. “It is clear that discrimination against me has taken place and I am disappointed that the Employment Tribunal has not been able to uphold that part of my claim,” she said. “I am taking the advice of my legal team at Kirklees Law Centre and will be looking to appeal against that decision. However, I am pleased that the tribunal have recognised the victimising way in which the school and the local education authority have handled this matter and the distress that has caused me.”

She criticised the political involvement in the issue: “Sadly the intervention of ministers in my case (against the ministerial code) makes me fearful of the consequences for Muslim women in this country who want to work.”

Mrs Azmi has said she was willing to remove her veil in front of children - but not when male colleagues were present. It emerged she had not worn the veil during her job interview.

UPDATE at 10/19/06 7:01:27 pm:

Here she is, admitting she didn’t wear the veil at her job interview: