In Alabama, Muslim women are were being denied their right to obtain a driver's license. A new policy is was requiring Muslim women to remove their religiously mandated headscarves, or hijab, for the driver's license photograph. Other states (Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Texas and many others) allow for reasonable religious accommodation... and now Alabama does, too!

02-23-04: Still having some problems (video clip)

Alhumdolillah (Praise God)! Muslim women are able to obtain a driver's license in the State of Alabama without being forced to remove their religiously mandated head scarf (hijab). This is a major victory for religious rights in America, and was only granted to our community by the permission and mercy of Allah (God). If you experience any difficulty because of your religious beliefs and practices, make dua to Allah and then contact the Council on American-Islamic Relations at http://www.cair-net.org.

UPDATE: (02/19-20/04)
Click here to read the press release from the ACLU!
Alabama driver's photo rule changed to allow Hijab (CAIR)

What can you do?

Write or call Alabama Governor Bob Riley and your local Alabama legislator and thank them for correcting this policy to allow for reasonable religious and medical exemptions. Click here to e-mail the Governor's Office.

UPDATE: (02/19/04)
Changes could be on the way (Video Clip)

UPDATE: (02/17/04)
Head Cover Rule Could Change (WHNT TV 19 Huntsville)

Read the"Driver's license rule spurs debate" column by Elaine Witt of the Birmingham Post-Herald.

UPDATE: (02/13/04)
State takes another look at scarf rule, Riley will review controversial policy for driver's licenses

Dear Gov. Riley, here are some other state policies:
Mississippi	Louisiana	Florida	Tennessee	Dept. of State

UPDATE: (02/12/04)
Lawmakers hear license protest: Alabama Muslims, Sikhs object to rule against scarves

Other Resources:

Global Citizen of the Human Community
http://www.johnjanney.net (my husband's website)

The Council on American-Islamic Relations' Action Alert #411
ALABAMA MUSLIMS DENIED RIGHT TO ISLAMIC ATTIRE

Online Petition hosted by CAIR-Houston