PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
PARIS: Zara fired two employees from a French store on Tuesday after social media outrage over a woman being denied entry for wearing a Muslim headscarf.
“This type of mentality is unheard of at Zara and there have never been instructions given out to act this way,” said Jean-Jacques Salaun, head of Zara’s French stores.
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Salaun said a security guard at the store in Plaisir, west of Paris, asked the woman to remove her headscarf, known as a hijab. When the woman refused, she was not allowed to enter.
French law bars people from wearing full-face veils such as with the burqa or the niqab, but the hijab covers only a woman’s hair.
The Spanish company confirmed it had dismissed the manager and security guard.
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The incident occurred during a tense weekend in France following jihadist attacks that left 129 dead.
Video of the encounter was posted on social media, prompting calls for a boycott.
Salaun said he offered the woman a full apology as soon as he heard about the incident.
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“Respect for diversity is the fundamental pillar on which Inditex (Zara’s parent company) was founded, with more than 140,000 employees worldwide representing a rich multitude of cultures and religions,” Zara said in a statement.
thankyou ZARA !Recommend
… being your customer for some time now, lots of respect for you, ZARA!Recommend
Zara is just looking to increase their clientile and include ARabs / Muslims…. They are just being politically correct. The head scarf is banned in France and the employees were mere ly doing their jobs . Recommend
In reply to stranger!
First of all you should know the French law before speaking of it. There is not such thing as scaf banned in france! Only face cover is banned and those are two different thing!
That’s why Zara apologies because they know most of their client are from the Muslim community and it they do such act they will lose millions!
And women with scarf should not pay for crime they didn’t commit . They just want to shop and live their life. Recommend
@Stranger: you clealry did not read the article. Head scraf is not banned, only burga is banned. Recommend
@Stranger:
READ THE ARTICLE! It clearly states that the niqab is banned not the headscarf. So the employees were not doing their jobs…they were just being racist and prejudiced!Recommend
Allah is testing Muslims. Islam is a religion of peace.Recommend
At least I know that never ever to buy Zara products. No discussions but simply boycott Zara and likes from all the western countries.Recommend
Treat them as they treat you. Enough of using Muslims for their propaganda!!! Bring it!!!!! Recommend
@Vikram:
Why he is testing his own pious people?Recommend
First, Zara is a women store, there is nothing for you to boycott unless you are one of the women product wearing men.
Second, wearing Tight Patloon affected your thinking pattern, buddy. Recommend
It proves hat Zara has no concern for security of their customers.Recommend
@Stranger:
They weren’t doing their jobs and it wasn’t about being ‘politically correct’ which bigots like to complain about. As a private business there’s no such ban or law that applies on the customers. The prejudice is shameful.Recommend
@Stranger:
Not the head scarf, Face veil is banned in France. Get your facts straight fake profile named Stranger!! Recommend
In Malaysia, an injured boy was denied treatment at government hospital by Muslim just because his mother were wearing short pants. When Muslim discriminate non-Muslim, no action is taken against the Muslim, this isn’t fair !!Recommend
This situation should never have occurred, each staff member are given training whether at induction or during their term of work. Personal viewpoints are not allowed whilst dealing with customers from all backgrounds /cultures etc. there is no place or reason for this occupancy of this severity. Apologising means it shouldn’t have clearly happened, it’s not a mistake but a fault on both the employees and employer. this doesn’t mean that the reputable brand Zara should be boycotted. it just means other companies should take heed and not let retail become a barrier as it is part of a person’s lifestyle and a sense of freedom in their spare time. Recommend
The west despite its shortcomings provides an order-of-magnitude more freedom to Muslims than what Muslim countries in general provide to its minorities. There is simply no denying of this fact and I say this as a Pakistani. If you don’t agree, ask Hassan Nisar. The west believes in the principles of freedom, free will, and the right to make your own choices — not to mention the right to practice your own religion. These isolated incidents do not change this reality. Recommend
Are nuns banned from entering Zara as well?!!!Recommend
@Lakhkar Khan – FYI Zara also sells menswear.Recommend