Author: Jane Sutton
Publication: Yahoo News
Date: June 6, 2003
URL: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=1&u=/nm/20030606/od_nm/life_veil_dc
A Muslim woman who cited religious
reasons in refusing to remove her veil for a driver's license photo must
show her face for the camera if she wants her license reinstated, a Florida
judge ruled Friday.
In a case that pitted claims of
religious freedom against security concerns, Circuit Judge Janet Thorpe
ruled that Florida has a compelling interest in identifying drivers during
traffic stops and that photo images are essential to promote that interest.
"The requirement that all potential
drivers have their driver's license photos taken unveiled, uncloaked and
unmasked does not unconstitutionally burden the free exercise of religion,"
the judge wrote.
The plaintiff, Sultaana Freeman,
obtained a Florida driver's license that showed her wearing a black veil
with only her eyes uncovered in February 2001.
Seven months later, the Florida
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles notified her that her license
would be revoked unless she was photographed with her face showing.
Freeman refused, saying her faith
did not permit her to reveal her face to strangers or men outside her family.
The 35-year-old U.S. citizen has worn a full veil since converting to Islam
about six years ago.
The American Civil Liberties Union
(news - web sites) sued on her behalf, arguing that revoking the license
violated her right to religious freedom. They said the state acted out
of prejudice against Muslims and only objected to the veiled photograph
after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Attorneys for the state said Florida
has a legitimate public safety interest in establishing drivers' identities.
They said the original license was issued in error and that if Freeman
were allowed to hide her face in her license photo, terrorists could do
the same. They also said she could be photographed privately by a female
licensing official.
Islamic scholars differ widely on
the religious requirement of veiling for women, as well as the extent of
what the faithful call "modest dress." As a result, practice among Muslims
varies widely.
