'World's favourite airlines' censors Christian employee for wearing cross

Nadia Eweida, a Christian employee of 'world's favourite airlines' British Airways (BA), has been suspended for wearing a Christian cross although Muslims are allowed to wear jihabs, the UK Daily Mail has reported.

Eweida, a committed Christian, said that she planned to take legal action against her employers British Airways after the airline ruled that displaying her crucifix breached uniform rules.

Heathrow check–in worker Nadia Eweida was sent home after refusing to remove the crucifix which breached BA's dress code.

Her treatment by BA – which styles itself as the "world's favourite airline" – has brought condemnation both from Christian groups and members of other faiths.

However, BA's chief executive Willie Walsh has upheld the action against Eweida for failing to comply with "uniform regulations" despite himself coming under fire recently for failing to wear a tie.

Eweida, who has an unblemished record during seven years at BA, is suing her employer for religious discrimination after being suspended from work without pay for two weeks.

She said her treatment was all the more extraordinary as she and fellow employees had just undergone "diversity training" – including receiving advice from pressure group Stonewall on how to treat gays and lesbians in the workplace.

The airline's uniform code states that staff must not wear visible jewellery or other 'adornments' while on duty without permission from management.

It makes exceptions for Muslim and Sikh minorities by allowing them to wear hijabs and turbans.

Under rules drawn up by BA's 'diversity team' and 'uniform committee', Sikh employees can even wear the traditional iron bangle – even though this would usually be classed as jewellery – while Muslim workers are also allowed prayer breaks during work time.

But Eweida, 55, from Twickenham, insisted her cross, which is smaller than a ten pence piece, was not jewellery but an expression of her deep Christian faith.

She questioned why she was being forced to hide her religion when BA's Muslim and Sikh workers could express theirs.

"I will not hide my belief in the Lord Jesus. British Airways permits Muslims to wear a headscarf, Sikhs to wear a turban and other faiths religious apparel," she said. "Only Christians are forbidden to express their faith. I am a loyal and conscientious employee of British Airways, but I stand up for the rights of all citizens."

Her case comes at a time of intense debate over the rights of individuals to express their belief – following Jack Straw's call for Muslim women to remove their veils.

Earlier this month it emerged BBC governors had agonised over whether newsreader Fiona Bruce should wear a small cross on a chain around her neck while on air in case it might cause offence by suggesting a religious affiliation.

Eweida, a Coptic Christian whose father is Egyptian and mother English, was ordered to remove her cross or hide it beneath a company cravat by a duty manager at Heathrow's Terminal 4 last month.

She then sought permission from management to wear the chain – but was turned down.

When Eweida, who is unmarried, refused to remove the necklace she was offered the choice of suspension with pay or unpaid leave, pending a disciplinary hearing.

Following a meeting with her managers on 22 September 2006, Customer Service Manager Caroline Girling wrote to Eweida in a letter, "You have been sent home because you have failed to comply with a reasonable request. You were asked to cover up or remove your cross and chain which you refused to do."

"British Airways uniform standards stipulate that adornments of any kind are not to be worn with the uniform," the letter said.

But according to Eweida, "BA refuses to recognise the wearing of a cross as a manifestation of the Christian faith, but rather defines it as a piece of decorative jewellery."

"I would like to say how disappointed I am in this decision and the lack of respect shown by BA towards the Christian faith," she said, adding, "British Airways needs to treat Christians fairly. I am not ashamed of my faith."

Eweida is suing BA under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003.

Her case is being supported by her union, the TGWU, and she has hired Paul Diamond, a barrister specialising in religious affairs and an adviser for the Keep Sunday Special campaign, to represent her at her employment tribunal.

According to sources close to the development, a petition of support has been signed by more than 200 fellow workers.

BA is already at the centre of a criminal investigation into alleged price–fixing – which has led to the resignations of two executives.

The airline has come under fire in the past for its adherence to political correctness.

A decade ago it attempted to ditch its traditional Union Flag tailfin in favour of an ethnic design – which provoked the anger of Baroness Thatcher.

"It is absolutely mind boggling that Britain's flag–carrying airline could treat its employees in such a disgraceful and petty manner," Mr. Cable, MP for Twickenham and Liberal Democrat deputy leader said. "Nadia is a devout Christian who was displaying her faith, but in a modest and totally unprovocative manner."

"It is absolutely right that other religious minorities be allowed exemption from the dress code, but why can't a Christian be treated in the same way?" the MP queried.

"Discrimination against Christians is commonplace in Muslim–majority contexts, such as Egypt where Nadia's family roots are. Now we see the same thing increasingly happening within the UK," Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo, international director of the Christian charity the Barnabas Fund, remarked. "Her Sikh and Muslim colleagues at BA can show their faith publicly in what they wear, but Nadia and other Christians cannot. All we are asking for is a level playing field for all faiths."

"The forces of political correctness are such that an individual needs to be very determined to protect their rights," warned Andrea Williams of the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship.