How ridiculous is this?
Muslim Woman Sues to Wear Veil in Driver's License Photo
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
ORLANDO, Fla. — A Muslim (search) woman suing to keep her veil on for her driver's
license photo took the stand Tuesday, saying Florida's insistence on photographing her
face violates her religious rights.
"I don't unveil ... because it would be disobeying
my Lord," said Sultaana Freeman, 35.
Both sides planned to call experts in Islamic law
at the nonjury trial, which was to continue
Wednesday. A copy of the Quran (search)
was entered into evidence.
Freeman, a convert to Islam (search)
previously known as Sandra Kellar, wore her
veil for the photo on the Florida driver's license
she obtained after moving to the state in 2001.
Nine months later, she received a letter from the
state warning that it would revoke her license
unless she returned for a photo with her face
uncovered.
Freeman claims her religious beliefs require her
to keep her head and face covered out of modesty and that her faith prohibits her face from being
photographed.
Her attorneys argued that state officials didn't care that she wore a veil in the photo until after the
Sept. 11 attacks, an allegation the state denies.
"This is about religious liberty. It's about whether this country is going to have religious diversity," said
Howard Marks, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (search) of Florida.
Assistant Attorney General Jason Vail argued that having an easily identifiable photo on a driver's
license is a matter of public safety.
"It's the primary method of identification in Florida and the nation," Vail said. "I don't think there can be
any doubt there is a public safety interest." |
