A Handshake May Be Refused

Abstract

When may a headscarf be forbidden or not? Case law determines where the boundaries of an individual culture are drawn. The alderwoman of education in Almere, a town in the vicinity of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, extends her hand in a friendly way towards the director of the Islamic school. He keeps his arms stiff at his sides. The alderwoman's extended hand dangles uncomfortably in the air. A discussion takes place. The council of the Al-Iman school says that Muslims are not permitted to have physical contact with the opposite sex. The alderwoman eventually decides to respect this. What else can she do?