This article deals with one of the most interesting contemporary conflicts between fundamental rights, that concerning freedom of thought, conscience and religion, with particular reference to the use of the Islamic headscarf use in educational institutions (I, The conflict). As an illustration of this conflict, we shall focus on one particular case, Leyla Sahin’s case, brought before the European Court of Human Rights in 2004 (II, The case). That case will be our starting point, as it contains some of the essential “coordinates” which must be borne in mind when resolving such conflicts. Our next step will be to identify these "coordinates" (III, The coordinates). Then with these coordinates we shall examine the “course” set by the different rulings that have been handed down in order to resolve the conflict and by the specific legislation enacted (IV, The course). Finally, we shall attempt to draw certain conclusions (V, Conclusion).