Samia Abdallah of New Milford is among several Muslim women who were required by Motor Vehicle Commission workers to show their hair for driver's license photos despite an Islamic prohibition against such display.
MVC apologizes to Muslims
Women were told to show hair for photos
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/5/05
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEWARK — When Sarah Elfayoumi went to have her photo taken at the Lodi Motor Vehicle Commission office in October, she was told by a female employee to take off her hijab, or head scarf.
"Everyone in the room was watching, and it was incredibly embarrassing," she said.
She is just one of several Muslim women who have complained that workers at the commission continue to require them to either remove their head scarfs or pull them back so that a substantial amount of hair is showing. As is the case in other religions, observant Muslim women cover their heads as a sign of modesty and respect for God.
After several of the women complained, the motor vehicle agency wrote several letters of apology, and promised to redouble its efforts to make sure all its employees are familiar with guidelines on head coverings, and apply them equally to everyone.
During Elfayoumi's visit, employees called a manager, who also told her to either take off the scarf or pull it back far enough so that a significant amount of her hair could be visible in the photo.
She went into the bathroom to try to pull back the scarf as little as possible while still satisfying the motor vehicle workers. They insisted that still more hair be visible, she said, and the manager took her into his office, saying he was not trying to be rude to her or disrespect her religion, but he had to comply with the agency's rules.
Excerpt:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051205/NEWS03/512050336/1007/NEWS02
simple solution: you dont want to follow the rules required for getting an ID then you just don't get an ID
simple...
ping
How can they drive a car bomb when they don't have an ID???
I wonder what the religion of peace says about the lipstick and eyeliner she appears to be wearing.
I wish I could have it my way at the DMV. I think I will complain it is against my religion to wait in line and to pay fees for service.