THREE years ago, Shabina Begum was just another pupil at Denbigh High School studying for her GCSEs.

But on the first day of term in September 2002, she became a cause célèbre.In April 2003, her mother died, leaving her an orphan, along with her sister Shamina, 18, and her brother, Shuweb Rahman, 22. Their father died in 1992.

Last summer Mr Justice Bennett threw out the girl’s claim of discrimination and questioned why her brother had stated “what the claimant was perfectly capable of saying herself”.

Since then it has emerged that her case has been backed by Hizb ut-Tahrir, an extremist Muslim group which is banned in Germany and the Middle East. Its aim is a worldwide Muslim state and it was banned in Egypt after fomenting an attempted coup in 1974.

Yesterday Miss Begum, was alone, waiting for her brother and sister to return from London. She confirmed that after two years of being educated at home, Miss Begum was in her last year at Putteridge High School, studying for GCSEs.

Miss Begum’s neighbours said that she was a pleasant and intelligent young girl with strong religious beliefs.

One said: “She is a good girl following Islam in the proper way. Why shouldn’t she be allowed to wear the jilbab? This is a free country.”

Another said: “She sets a good example to others. She is very confident and determined and she is well-liked.”

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