Written by Don Byrd
Via Religion Clause, California’s Orange County has settled a long-running lawsuit brought by the ACLU challenging the requirement that a Muslim woman remove her hijab while in a holding cell.
Said plaintiff Souhair Khatib of Anaheim: “I praise Allah and thank Him that I live in a country where I can practice my religion freely. While not everyone understands Islam or what it requires of me, I’m grateful that the U.S. government protects my right to fulfill my duty to Allah, whether at work, on a public street or, yes, even in a sheriff’s holding facility.”
Law enforcement officers will be trained about ordering Muslim women to remove hijabs, and the county will pay $85,000 in damages, fees and court costs.
In 2011, the 9th Circuit voted 11-0 to revive the case after a trial court ruled against Khatib.
