Reports: Girl's henna tattoo outrages Seabrook mom

Eid-al Adha. less In the Islamic faith, the Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) daughter, Fatima, is believed to have adorned her hands with henna. The application of henna is seen as having the effects of a blessing and many Muslim woman apply it to their hands during religious holidays such as Eid-al fitr and In the Islamic faith, the Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) daughter, Fatima, is believed to have adorned her hands with henna. The application of henna is seen as having the effects of a blessing and many Muslim ... more Photo: Khalid Tanveer, AP Photo: Khalid Tanveer, AP Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close Reports: Girl's henna tattoo outrages Seabrook mom 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

A Seabrook mom has a big complaint this Christmas, and it's because of what her daughter brought home from school, reports say.

Last week, Tammy Samour told KHOU her 7-year-old daughter, Leah, got a temporary henna tattoo on her hands at Ed White Elementary. It was part of Multicultural Day.

Samour said she wasn't sure what henna was initially, so she researched it and discovered that the traditional body art in India, made from the henna plant, has links to Muslim cultures. Indian brides often wear elaborate henna designs.

At Christmastime, her child's henna tattoo didn't sit well with Samour, who said she has no problem with her child learning about other cultures, but a tattoo is inappropriate.

"It's upsetting to go through Christmas with another religion's celebratory symbolism all over my daughter's hands," she told KHOU.

(Watch a USA Today video report. Story continues below.)

The Clear Creek school district has apologized to Samour, KHOU says: "This is intended to celebrate diversity and not to be divisive," Clear Creek ISD spokeswoman Elaina Polsen is quoted as saying.

Samour said she didn't want the henna tattoo showing in her family's holiday photos; Clear Creek reportedly offered to Photoshop Leah's hands in the pictures. But that wasn't enough for Samour.

Clear Creek ISD told KHOU the district sent an email to parents informing them about Multicultural Day and saying henna would be used. However, the district regrets not providing a detailed explanation about henna.

The story on Samour and her daughter has made the rounds online, with reports appearing on websites for the New York Daily News, People magazine, USA Today and others.

See a slideshow above on the art and history of henna.