Muslim group wants federal employee rights agency to investigate Mass. college face-cover ban

Muslim group seeks fed probe of face-covering ban

BOSTON — A Muslim rights group is asking the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate a Massachusetts college that is banning students from wearing head coverings that obscure the face.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations says even though the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences policy is aimed at students, it would have “a disproportionate impact on the religious rights of Muslim employees.”

The policy bans students from wearing clothing such as burqas and face veils, as well as ski masks and scarves.

The CAIR letter, dated Wednesday, says the school must allow a religious exemption to the policy because the school is allowing a medical exemption.

The college declined immediate comment. It says the policy is about safety.