CAIR-MN: Bill Would Ban Hijab On Driver's License Photos

John Lauritsen (WCCO) , 3/1/2009

Most people don't like their driver's license picture, but if a state lawmaker has his way, one group of Minnesotans said they are going to like theirs even less. State Rep. Steve Gottwalt of St. Cloud is trying to pass a bill that would ban any kind of headwear worn on a driver's license pictures.

Gottwalt said it is a matter of safety to help law enforcement identify people easier. However, people in the Muslim community said covering their heads is their religious right.

"We cover our hair for that reason. We follow our religion -- what God told us to do," said Suban Khalif.

Khalif and Hindia Ali are Muslim women. As part of their faith, they wear a head scarf nearly 24 hours a day. To take it off, for even a few minutes, is a big deal. That is why the women are so opposed to Gottwalt's bill. They think their faces are enough to identify them.

"Daily, I cover my hair. And I don't think I need to show my hair on a driver's license. It just doesn't make sense to me at all," said Khalif.

"My facial expressions, my face, my nose, my eyes should be clearly enough for any person to tell us apart," Ali agreed.

The Muslim community points out that Jews, Christians and other religions would also be affected if the bill passed...

CONTACT: CAIR-MN Communications Director Jessica Zikri, 612-226-3289, E-Mail: jzikri@cair.com; CAIR-MN Civil Rights Director Taneeza Islam, Esq., 651-587-4712, E-Mail: tislam@cair.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• CAIR
• Council
• on
• American-Islamic
• Relations
• hijab
• Somali
• Muslims
• Islam
• driver's
• license
• photographs
• photo