CAIR: Michigan Muslim to File Suit Over Judge's Hijab Ban

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 8/25/09) On August 26, the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) will hold a news conference in Southfield to announce the filing of a federal lawsuit against a Wayne County judge who demanded that a Muslim woman remove her religious headscarf (hijab) in court. The Muslim plaintiff felt so intimidated by the judges repeated demand that she eventually removed her headscarf.

WHAT: CAIR-MI Announces Lawsuit Over Judges Demand to Remove Hijab
WHEN: Wednesday, August 26, 2 p.m.
WHERE: CAIR-MI Office, 21700 Northwestern Highway, Suite 1199, Southfield, MI
CONTACT: CAIR-MI Attorney Melanie Elturk, 248-559-2247, 248-872-2168, E-Mail: melturk@cair.com; CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, Tel: 248-842-1418, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com

View video of the incident:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGtivH...

CAIR-MI is a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit being filed on behalf of the Michigan woman, who is a member of CAIR.

The judges actions contradict both the constitutional right to freedom of religion and President Obama's recent statement in support of the right to wear hijab, said CAIR-MI Attorney Melanie Elturk. This judge targeted a Muslim womans religious attire, but he could just as easily have demanded the removal of a Sikh turban, Jewish yarmulke or a Catholic nuns habit.

In President Obamas June address to Muslims worldwide, he stated: "[F]reedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religionThat is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it."

The judges demand came one month after the Michigan Supreme Court voted to give judges full discretion over courtroom attire. At that time, CAIR called for clarification of the new administrative rule and said that, if broadly interpreted, it might allow judges to demand that witnesses remove religious head coverings during testimony.

SEE: Courtroom Judge Has Power to Ban Muslim Veil
http://tinyurl.com/michhijab
SEE ALSO: Federal Rule Grants Headscarves in Courtrooms
http://tinyurl.com/courthijab

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787 or 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com