Denmark's Muslims represent the second largest religious group

Denmark's Supreme Court has ruled that a supermarket chain had the right to fire a young Muslim woman for wearing an Islamic headscarf to work.

The woman, who worked as a cashier in the supermarket, claimed damages for discrimination and wrongful dismissal.

But the court said Dansk Supermarked chain was allowed to fire the woman who had signed a contract which banned headgear in front of customers.

Twenty-seven-year-old Najla Ainouz was dismissed from her post in 2001.

A supermarket spokesman said the company wanted the appearance of its employees to be in line with its political and religious neutrality.