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An investigation has been launched in response to allegations by two Muslim students that they were banned from boarding a London bus because of their veils.
The two Muslim students claim that the driver of a Metroline bus refused them entry onto the bus,
claiming they posed “a threat,” The Independent reported on Saturday.
One of the women was wearing a hijab while her friend, Atoofa, was wearing a niqab which covers the face.
One woman, Yasmin, told the BBC, “When I went forward to show my ticket, he said, ‘Get off the bus.’
I presumed he was still angry because I got on the bus before.
“He said, ‘I am not going to take you on the bus because you two are a threat.’
I realized… this may be a racist attack.”
Yasmin then began to film the driver with her mobile phone and said he covered his face with a magazine.
“I said, ‘It’s OK for you to cover your face on my recording,
but it’s not OK for my friend to cover her face out of choice,’” the London Evening Standard quoted her as saying.
The Muslim Council of Britain stated it was “deeply concerned” about the allegations.
Metroline has now launched an “urgent” investigation into the incident.
Atoofa, who wears the niqab, said she hoped the driver would be educated about her religion rather than fired, the BBC reported.
“I would like him to understand why we wear it and I think I would like an apology,” she said.
“I want him to sit there and talk to me about why he felt the way he felt and maybe to understand where we are coming from.”