Muslim Woman Sues over Drivers License [FL: Show your face on driver license photo; FL Woman: No]

The Orlando Sentinel ^ | Jan. 30, 2002 | P. Gutierrez and A. Rippel

[summer]

Muslim woman sues state over drivers license



By Pedro Ruz Gutierrez and Amy Rippel |
Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted January 30, 2002

WINTER PARK -- A 34-year-old woman is suing the state for suspending her Florida drivers license after she refused to have her photo taken without an Islamic veil.

Sultaana Freeman, a former evangelist preacher who converted to Islam about five years ago and wears the traditional niqab, says her religion doesn't allow her to show her face to strangers.

She filed suit earlier this month asking an Orange County judge to review her case.

"I don't show my face to strangers or unrelated males," Freeman said in an interview Tuesday at the office of her American Civil Liberties Union attorney. Only her emerald-green eyes and mascara showed through her veil.

The niqab is different from a hijab, or partial head covering, which doesn't hide the face and which some Muslim women wear for their drivers license photos.

Freeman, who is on an apparent collision course with the state, is bracing for a possible showdown on the fundamental freedoms of the U.S. Constitution.

"Florida law requires a full facial view of a person on their drivers license photo," said Robert Sanchez, a spokesman for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. "We have no choice but to enforce it."

Florida law says license applicants shall be issued "a color photographic or digital imaged drivers license bearing a full-face photograph."

ACLU lawyer Howard Marks argues that the law is vague. "I don't think the state statutes mandate a photograph," he said.

Marks said he also will cling to a state law on religious freedom that states the "government shall not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion. "

Barry University Professor Robert Whorf said the state is probably within its right to ask for a full-facial photograph. "It makes common sense if the state of Florida were discriminating against her because of her religion; that would more likely be unconstitutional," he said. "If the state of Florida's rationale for insisting the veil not cover the face is for law-enforcement purposes that apply to everyone, then clearly the state of Florida is not discriminating against anyone for religious reasons."

To husband Abdul-Malik, also known as Mark Freeman, the state's action is an infringement on his and his wife's rights.

"It's a reflection of Sept. 11," said Abdul-Malik, 40, a 1980 Edgewater High School graduate and 1984 Florida State University graduate.

The Freemans said they only want recognition that their interpretation of Islam requires women to cover their faces.

Sultaana Freeman said she never had trouble in Illinois, where she worked as a civil engineer with the state's utilities company. That state, without objection, issued her license with a photo that showed only her eyes.

Her Florida license was issued with her face covered last February, but the state demanded a new photo without her veil in November. State record checks began after Sept. 11.

Altaf Ali, executive director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said he knows of three other times Muslim women were refused Florida drivers licenses because of their headdresses. "I'm sure there's a lot more that's happening and not getting reported," he said.

Ali is asking the state to clarify its policy on religiously mandated clothes, and he wants the state to train employees about Muslim needs.

Yasmin Khan, 39, of West Palm Beachsaid she tangled with motor-vehicle officials when she was refused a drivers license in mid-December. Khan, a native of Trinidad and a Muslim, said she pulled her headdress back to her hairline -- as far as her religious beliefs would allow -- for the Dec. 17 photo but was told she needed to remove it completely. When she refused, she was denied a drivers license, she said.

"I decided to call anybody and everybody because I needed my license. I have kids, and I need to leave my home," she said.

Two days later, after getting help from local politicians, Khan was photographed with her hijab pulled back for her new drivers license.

In Daytona Beach earlier this month, Najat Tamim-Muhammad, 41, was refused a Florida identification card because she declined to remove her hijab.

Two years ago, Tamim-Muhammad, a native of Morocco, removed her headdress for the ID photo, but her husband said she did it only because she spoke no English and was unsure of her legal rights.

Idris Muhammad, her husband, said they plan to go back to the office to explain to a supervisor why she cannot remove the hijab. They hope to have the photo taken at that time.

"We understand the fear that comes with dealing with people you don't know or understand," he said. "In my opinion, it violates our equal rights under the law. Most people, when you sit down and explain why the women wear the hijab and the seriousness of not having it on, understand."

Amy C. Rippel can be reached at arippel@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5736. Pedro Ruz Gutierrez can be reached at pruz@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5620.

[GeronL]

Public schools now teach Islam and ban the bible, so they are religious. At least in Kalifornistan

[nopardons]

If these women are such devout Muslims, then they should NOT have a driver's liscence, nor leave their houses without an adult, male, family member. Isn't that what the REALLY devout Muslim say ? And what's with having a job ? We all know, now, that Muslim women shouldn't be allowed to work.

If Saudi Arabia demands that OUR women, who are serving in the military ( and saving their sorry butts ) have to oney theri laws and dress codes, then the same applies for those who live here! At least here, unlike in many Muslim countries, there is FREEDOM for everyone , to practice their religion.

If they don't like or laws, they can always leave. : - )

[GeronL]

#36- Thats what I do to Libertarians!

[summer]

There is going to be a major shake out in this country, because enough is enough. Take a cab, ride a bus, walk, or buy a bicycle. Plenty of people do. Or, give a full face photo. Or, RELOCATE.

[let freedom sing]

You'd expect this issue was resolved somewhere in the past.

I'd want her full face picture on the driver's license.

Can you imagine-- she gets on a plane with that ID, but who is it, really?

[GeronL]

Church of Freedomism

Leave us alone!

[Mark17]

LOL! And I say to Jehovah's Witnesses "Welcome to the Kingdom of God! Step right in and I'll go get you a cup of coffee." They never come back ...

I have used similar tactics on them too. I tell them I was in the Air Force for 20 years, and proud of it. That puts them in the wrong frame of mind too.

[heleny]

That headcovering appears so bulky that it might dangerously hinder the driver's peripheral vision, so that woman shouldn't be driving anyway. Besides, possessing a driver's license is a privilege, not a civil right. She should just walk, ride a bike, get a ride, or use public transportation. (or emigrate)

I wonder how her passport photo looks.

[Cobra64]

Meanwhile, the simple wearing of the scarf is a major issue in France, Turkey, and several other secular nations, where laws inhibit or prohibit the wearing of a head covering for even teenage high school girls. It is a major issue for muslim women, most of whom wear a head covering and prefer to do so.

Then let's put them back on their goats and camels and dig for scorpions in the desert and caves.

Enough is enough. Six generations of my family have been working for others for two hundred-fifty years growing this country.

Now the current cave dwellers want to defy our laws.

The next time you see an x-Nam guy facing a Muslim, he's going to have serious problems in not taking her out... and not on a date... BOOM.

[JessicaDragonet]

I think it's time someone checked the water in Florida.

[nopardons]

I guess that you don't know that the Fed Gov ( perhaps it was a State GOv ? well someone DID pass the law ) passed a law the forbids animal sacrifice ( for prctioners of Voudon / Voodoo ), and the unauthorized keeping of farm animals, in cities.

Nice try , but no cigar. : - )

[summer]

RE your post #47 - She converted to Islam. Her married name would be "Freeman," but her husband converted too.

BTW, here's a serious question for you: If she does get to the US Supreme COurt -- and wins -- what happens if she is ever arrested -- and has to give a MUG SHOT? Then WHAT?

"Oh, sorry, officer, but due to my Muslim religion, I can not provide you with a mug shot. Nor can any other Muslim woman you may arrest. See, it's right here in this US Supreme COurt decision, that I don't have to give my photo when the law here in the US requires it. And, by the way, don't ask me for a passport photo either. Here's my ACLU lawyer to explain to you that the USA has to comply with my every wish and command."

Then WHAT?????

[xm177e2]

This is ridiculous! If she really wanted to follow Islamic law, she WOULDN'T BE DRIVING, PERIOD.

[summer]

"due to my ISLAM religion" is what I meant to type there...

[let freedom sing]

Furthermore-- tribal Africans who don't want their picture taken, because they believe it diminishes their spirit.

This is a can of worms-- fish bait. The judge should throw this case out, because it smells.

[nopardons]

Oh, since almost 100 years. You do NOT have a guarenteed RIGHT to a driver's liscence.

[summer]

BTTT to your Post #46 -- that can be our big prayer.

[summer]

GOOD POINT -- it is NOT a "right."

[Cobra64]

Time to turn up the heat on this melting pot and make everyone the same mushy consistency.

Hey buddy... How long have you lived in the United States? Can you trace your ancestry back to the American Revolution? I can.

My forefathers were alive when the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution was written. Every generation dating back to Western Europe fought wars in defending freedom and the laws of the United States of America.

This bull sh!t with the veils is a bunch of crap when the Muslims want to screw 72 friggin virgins. You pal bin Laden chops off body parts and rapes women and you want to defend the view of a female cheek?

Unbelievable hypocrycy.