A Muslim man has launched a discrimination case against the holiday company Butlins after his teenage daughter was allegedly barred from using the dodgems because she was wearing a hijab.
Moammer Nasser, 41, a family-support worker from Birmingham, was at Butlins in Minehead in June with his wife and four children. He claims an attendant said his 16-year-old daughter could not go on the ride due to health and safety concerns over her headscarf.
Nasser complained and asked to see a policy banning hijabs, noting that others wearing scarves and hoods were allowed on the ride. He said his daughter was left crying and the family felt humiliated, cutting their holiday short by a day.
Butlins responded that it was company policy to ban headscarves or loose garments that could not be removed, citing a 2016 incident where a scarf got caught in a ride and caused a serious injury. The company rejected any suggestion of discrimination.
Nasser's lawyer, Attiq Malik, said it was unacceptable for families to be unable to participate in leisure activities due to cultural or religious dress. Nasser has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support his legal action.
