Bus driver wins Muslim hat dispute

TORONTO, March 26 (UPI) -- A suspended Toronto-area bus driver has been reinstated and allowed to wear his Muslim cap on the job, transit officials said.

York Region Transit, which operates north of Toronto, suspended McGregory Jackman without pay on March 17 for wearing a kufi, a traditional Muslim pill-box-like cap, the Toronto Sun reported.

The newly hired Trinidad native who said he converted to Islam in 2005 told the newspaper he thought he was within the rules based on a notice in the driver's lounge which said, "except for religious observances, no headgear is permitted."

Tuesday, York Region Transit General Manager Don Gordon said Jackman will be allowed to wear his kufi while working, and would be paid for the time he was suspended, the Sun said.

Jackman told the newspaper he was relieved but hadn't received an apology.