Author: AP
Publication: CNN News
Date: May 27, 2003
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/South/05/26/license.veil.ap/index.html
A Muslim woman is going to court
against the state this week in her fight to wear a veil that covers most
of her face for her driver's license photo.
Sultaana Freeman sued the state
of Florida after it revoked her license because she refused to replace
the photo with one showing her face uncovered.
Freeman, 35, argues the state violated
her right to freedom of religion by demanding the new photo. The state
contends that allowing a photo of a hidden face puts public safety at risk.
Her attorney, Howard Marks, said
Freeman believes that taking a photograph of her face uncovered would violate
the Quran, the Muslim holy book.
Jason Vail, an assistant attorney
general, said police officers use driver's license photos for many things,
such as helping to identify criminals, missing persons and crime victims.
Marks said Freeman received the
state's demand that she retake her photo three months after the September
11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Vail denied any connection between the two
events.
