London, Nov.9 : A Muslim woman has decided to sue the owner of a hair salon 15,000 pounds for refusing to hire her.

Nineteen-year-old Bushra Noah said that she decided to sue Sarah Desrosiers, 32, after being rejected for 25 different hair salon jobs.

Alleging religious discrimination, Noah was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying that she was told by Desrosiers that she needed her staff to display their hairstyles to the public.  Noah, however, insisted that wearing her headscarf was essential to her beliefs.

Desrosiers, who set up the Wedge salon in King's Cross, North London, 18 months ago, says she faces financial ruin if she loses the case.

She denies any discrimination and insists it is an "absolutely basic" job requirement.

"When a potential client walks past on the street, they look into a salon at the stylists to get an impression of what haircut they are going to get there. The image I have built my salon on is very urban, funky, punky. That is the look I am going for,” Desrosiers said.

"It has nothing to do with religion. But I now feel like I have been branded a racist. My name is being dragged through the mud. This girl is suing me for more than I earn in a year,” she added.

The case will be heard at the Central London Employment Tribunal in January. (ANI)