A Texas mother is upset that her daughter received henna tattoos on her hands as part of a school multicultural celebration.
Tammy Samour says she did not know what henna was before her 7-year-old daughter, Leah, came home from school with her hands covered with designs made with the dye traditionally used in India and other cultures.
School officials say they sent home an email explaining that henna would be used as part of the Multicultural Day activities, but admit that the email did not explain what henna is.
The dye is not immediately removable, and usually takes a few days to wear off.
Samour said she is upset after researching henna and finding connections to Hindu and Muslim faiths. She told KHOU, "It's upsetting to go through Christmas with another religion's celebratory symbolism all over my daughter's hands."
School officials have offered to Photoshop henna-free versions of Leah’s hands into family holiday photos.
Samour told KHOU, “Tattooing another culture’s expressions on my daughter is not acceptable.”
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