Oklahoma, INS To Allow Hijab In Photos

CAIR today announced that Muslim women drivers in Oklahoma and those renewing INS green cards will be allowed to wear religiously-mandated head scarves in official photographs.
The policy change by that state’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) came following complaints from Muslim women who were told they could not wear a scarf when obtaining a license. The directive allowing the head scarves was issued by DPS Commissioner Bob Ricks and took effect February 28.

The directive, outlined in a letter to the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, reads in part: “A head covering will be permitted, if the head covering does not: 1. obscure or obstruct a full front view of the face, 2. display any: logo; insignia, symbol, or regalia; word or words; letter, number, or character, or any combination thereof; or graphic design, other than the overall pattern of the fabric or material; or 3. cast a shadow onto the face of the person.” Prior to the change, only the Public Safety Commissioner or his designee could authorize an exception to the rule against head coverings. The new guidelines will appear as a statutory change in Oklahoma Senate Bill 704, authored by Senator Owen Laughlin.

In a letter requested by CAIR following complaints from concerned Muslims, INS Residence and Status Branch Director Pearl Chang wrote: “.our policy does permit men and women who are required by their religious beliefs to cover their head and ears, to submit photos that do not conform to the ADIT [Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunications System] requirements of an uncovered head and visible right ear.the person must remain clearly identifiable from the photograph and should include a brief statement along with that photo explaining why it does not meet those particular ADIT requirements.”

”We appreciate the fact that Muslim women will not have to violate their religious beliefs when obtaining an Oklahoma driver’s license or a green card. We hope that other states and government agencies will follow suit in providing explicit policy guidelines allowing religious attire of all faiths in official photographs,” said CAIR Board Member Dr. Mujeeb Cheema, an Oklahoma resident.