Women arrested for wearing Hijab in traffic court!

[Meriem_DZ 37]

This story makes me angry! I hope they do file a lawsuit and win!

link to story

Muslim Arrested Over Head Scarf In Courtroom

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 – updated: 10:04 am EST December 17, 2008

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. -- A head scarf landed a Muslim woman in jail Tuesday after she refused to remove it during a hearing at the Douglasville Municipal Court.

Lisa Valentine, also known by her Islamic name, Miedah, 40, was arrested for 'violating a court policy of no headgear', Chris Womack, deputy chief of operations for the Douglasville Police Department said on Wednesday.

Valentine was in court with a nephew who was facing a traffic citation. She was wearing a hijab, the head covering worn by Muslim women.

When she refused to remove it she was handcuffed and taken to Judge Keith Rollins' chambers. He cited her for contempt and ordered her held in jail for 10 days.

Omar Hall, Valentine's husband, said she had been released late Tuesday.

"I can't believe someone would do this in America," Hall said, adding the couple plans to file a lawsuit.

Many Muslim women cover their heads, following an Islamic custom. The practice has created conflict and headlines in courtrooms and schools across the country.

Edited December 17, 2008 by Meriem_setif

[Muh and me 18]

I hope they file a lawsuit too!!!

[doodlebugg 10]

Well they would have had to put me in jail too. What a bunch of chpfks!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Methinks the town of Douglasville is going to get a visit from CAIR.

Thank God I live in Minnesota! People can wear their baseball caps on their drivers license, so we have no problem wearing hijab here.

Of course, we freeze our behinds of 6 months out of the year, but that's the price we pay for freedom.

Ah, lovely comments on the story:

Is she a citizen of our country? Should NON citizens have the right to religious freedom? I don't think they should. You come into my country, you obey the laws & you learn to speak english.

[amal 4]

Methinks the town of Douglasville is going to get a visit from CAIR.

Thank God I live in Minnesota! People can wear their baseball caps on their drivers license, so we have no problem wearing hijab here.

Of course, we freeze our behinds of 6 months out of the year, but that's the price we pay for freedom.

Ah, lovely comments on the story:

Is she a citizen of our country? Should NON citizens have the right to religious freedom? I don't think they should. You come into my country, you obey the laws & you learn to speak english.

*snarl*!!! that quote just irkdd me offfff...MUSLIM DOESN'T MEAN NON-AMERICAN!!!!! *growl*

...anyway, back at the ranch................

[bhajishah 4]

I was told once that dupatta was not prof. not a part of dress code yada. Well it is @ the University hospitals hmm. was wearing it during Ramadan. One of local redneck family complained. So i told them ohh you gonna let them harass me by proxy. Why this email only come to me and not others. THen the email about religous right to wear came out. Once again another instance where there are places in america not so tolerant..Judges should check the codes b4 they make thier decisions. Last time I checked personal preferences/opinions are against legal ethics codes. Toss him off the bench I say.

[Meriem_DZ 37]

Methinks the town of Douglasville is going to get a visit from CAIR.

Thank God I live in Minnesota! People can wear their baseball caps on their drivers license, so we have no problem wearing hijab here.

Of course, we freeze our behinds of 6 months out of the year, but that's the price we pay for freedom.

Ah, lovely comments on the story:

Is she a citizen of our country? Should NON citizens have the right to religious freedom? I don't think they should. You come into my country, you obey the laws & you learn to speak english.

That was the first thought that came to my mind when I read the story, CAIR will be all over this!

Meriem

[Nothing1234 2]

ADC and CAIR...unbelievable!

But I have to say...its Georgia...I have had some family that has had horrible experiences down south unfortunately. (Sorry to insult anyone from the grand ole south however, ur most likely the minority if you are open minded)...

[trailmix 77]

ADC and CAIR...unbelievable!

But I have to say...its Georgia...I have had some family that has had horrible experiences down south unfortunately. (Sorry to insult anyone from the grand ole south however, ur most likely the minority if you are open minded)...

It's just these kinds of broad generalizations that cause this kind of trouble Nawal.

Your babies are adorable btw.

As for the woman, she either should have removed her head gear or left the court room, no reason to arrest her.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

hicks!

[Nothing1234 2]

ADC and CAIR...unbelievable!

But I have to say...its Georgia...I have had some family that has had horrible experiences down south unfortunately. (Sorry to insult anyone from the grand ole south however, ur most likely the minority if you are open minded)...

It's just these kinds of broad generalizations that cause this kind of trouble Nawal.

Your babies are adorable btw.

As for the woman, she either should have removed her head gear or left the court room, no reason to arrest her.

Thanks

Just my experience (I attended University in NC and current family living in Georgia who are Muslim). Many issues with understanding other cultures. But you're right...broad generalizations will get ya in trouble...thats why I said sorry first! Just my experience.

As for removing her hijab...its for religious reasons she's wearing it. Why should she have to? I don't agree there. Would they ask a nun to do that? Things that make you go Hmmmm....

Edited December 17, 2008 by Nawal

[trailmix 77]

ADC and CAIR...unbelievable!

But I have to say...its Georgia...I have had some family that has had horrible experiences down south unfortunately. (Sorry to insult anyone from the grand ole south however, ur most likely the minority if you are open minded)...

It's just these kinds of broad generalizations that cause this kind of trouble Nawal.

Your babies are adorable btw.

As for the woman, she either should have removed her head gear or left the court room, no reason to arrest her.

Thanks

Just my experience (I attended University in NC and current family living in Georgia who are Muslim). Many issues with understanding other cultures. But you're right...broad generalizations will get ya in trouble...thats why I said sorry first! Just my experience.

As for removing her hijab...its for religious reasons she's wearing it. Why should she have to? I don't agree there. Would they ask a nun to do that? Things that make you go Hmmmm....

Yeah - I think we don't have the whole story here. She was held in contempt for not removing her hijab, we don't know if she was given the option of just leaving - which of course she should have been. Not sure about the nun scenario, interesting question, one would hope they would be asked to remove their head gear as well.

This story is lacking in facts.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Looks like CAIR is already all over this.

As for removing it, there is plenty of legal precedence that allows for religious exceptions to certain rules. For example, states often will not allow people to cover their heads for driver's license photos. However, most, if not all (there used to be a document floating around with all the rules, but I can't find it right now) make exceptions for people who cover their heads for religious reasons. That would include sikh and jewish men, christian women who cover and hijabis.

And from what I hear from hijabi peeps in Georgia, they've had no problem entering court rooms hijab and all. So this town is going to have a hard time upholding this ban.

I think I'll send my Great Aunt Sister McTild down to Georgia and see if they demand she remove her habit. I wouldn't want to cross her, she's one fiesty nun

[sweet_peach 0]

Welcome to the south.....

This is just crazy.

[bhajishah 4]

One doesnt have to remove for passport pictures,all judges/ countie should follow DHS codes and protocols. hmmph