CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- A public high school changed its dress code to allow
religious headscarves after a national civil rights group for Muslims
complained to the principal on behalf of a student.

A spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations said Emily
Smith, 18, a senior at Chattanooga's East Ridge High School, wore her
headscarf, or hijab, on campus for the first time Thursday.

Smith said that although friends and a few teachers offered
congratulations, "I wanted to keep it as low-key as possible."

Khadija Athman, civil rights manager for the Washington, D.C.-based
council, said the group sent the school principal a letter Jan. 6, three
days after the student e-mailed the council asking about her rights..