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CAIR Bulletin – July 12, 2007
CAIR helps Ohio Muslims obtain
driver photos with hijab
CINCINNATI, OH, July 12, 2007 - The Cincinnati office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Ohio chapter (CAIR-Ohio) announced today that two Muslim women in that city were able to have driver's license photographs retaken with their Islamic headscarves, or hijab, after initially being asked to remove the scarves.
CAIR says Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) employees had insisted that the women remove their headscarves for their driver's license photographs despite regulations requiring an exemption for religious head coverings.
According to a 2004 CAIR study of such policies nationwide, Ohio grants exemptions for 1) wigs or hairpieces if customarily worn by the applicant, 2) a head covering worn for recognized religious purposes, or 3) a head covering worn in conjunction with recognized medical treatments.
SEE: Most States Allow Muslim Scarves in Driver Photos (CAIR)
CAIR-Ohio's Cincinnati office contacted the BMV and arranged for the photographs of the two women to be retaken free of charge. BMV authorities also sent a reminder to all deputy registrar offices about the exemption for religious head coverings.
"We thank BMV officials for handling this issue in a timely and professional manner," said Karen Dabdoub, executive director of CAIR-Ohio's Cincinnati office.
July 11, 2007
Muslim groups review Georgia court ban
By CAROLE HAWKINS
Valdosta, Georgia, July 11, 2007 Valdosta Municipal court has examined a rule that prevents people from wearing headgear in courtrooms Wednesday, but has not decided how to update it.
City and court officials met Wednesday with representatives of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, and the Georgia Association of Muslim Lawyers, or GAML, to discuss policies regarding the wearing of Islamic head scarves, or hijab, in courtrooms.
The meeting was prompted by a June incident in which a Muslim woman seeking to contest a speeding ticket was barred from a Valdosta courtroom when she refused to remove an Islamic head scarf.
Court officials cited homeland security reasons for denying entry to Aniisa Karim, 20, of Valdosta. CAIR and GAML asserted that Karim's rights to freedom of religion and equal protection under the law had been violated.
CAIR representatives termed Wednesday's meeting productive, but said more discussions are needed. "We agreed that everyone should have the right to enter a public facility and should not be treated differently because of their religion," said Ahmed Bedier, executive director of CAIR's Tampa office, who participated in the meeting.
But, he said, participants were hung up on the actual policy and how courtroom security checks could be implemented for everyone equally. More talks will be held later this week or next week, he said.
Valdosta explained its policy and discussed in detail its interpretation and administration, the city said in a prepared release. The city called the meeting "professional and cordial."
As to Karim's case, "the City reaffirms its previous offer to consider any appropriately filed motion and reaffirms that its officials acted in good faith and in accordance with the law,'' the statement said.
“The city of Valdosta Municipal Court will continue to conduct court proceedings based upon the policy and its interpretation as discussed today (Wednesday),” the statement said. “The city will always consider suggestions that respect courtroom safety, but will also accommodate, to the extent reasonably possible, the varying religious practices of our increasingly diverse community.”
CAIR requested the meeting with the city after being contacted by Aniisa Karim, who was denied access to the Municipal Courtroom in June to contest a speeding ticket because she was wearing a traditional Islamic headscarf even after explaining to security that she wears the garment for religious purposes.
CAIR and GAML contend that the city’s actions violated Karim’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights to free religion and equal protection under the law. The Washington and Atlanta-based groups also argue that denial of access to the courtroom based on a religious practice is discriminatory and in violation of Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Jacksonville Times-Union & Valdosta Daily Times)
Most States Allow Muslim Scarves in Driver Photos
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 21, 2004 - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today issued a nationwide review of religious accommodation in requirements for driver's license photographs.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says the report, titled "Religious Accommodation in Driver's License Photographs: A Review of Codes, Policies and Practices in the 50 States," was prompted by complaints from Muslim women drivers who faced difficulties wearing Islamic head scarves in license photographs.
According to CAIR's review, most states, with the exception of Georgia, Kentucky and New Hampshire, have addressed religious accommodation concerns. Five states - Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, Missouri, and Maine - recognize some religious practices, while the other 42 states have adopted more inclusive approaches to religious accommodation policies.
The CAIR study recommended review of driver's license photograph requirements in those states that do not permit religious accommodation or have policies that need to be clarified.
"Muslims are not alone in being impacted by driver's license photograph policies," said Dr. Mohamed Nimer, the report's author. "Members of the Christian, Sikh and Jewish communities also face issues related to religiously-mandated head coverings or other religious practices."
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 29 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
http://www.cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1361&theType=NR
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