ID Denied Without Full-Face Photo
Florida Law Requires Full-Face Photos For Licenses
A Volusia County woman said that she was denied a Florida identification card because she would not show her face for the photo, according to Local 6 News.
Najat Muhammad said that a Department of Motor Vehicles clerk demanded that she remove her religious head covering to take a picture for a new photo ID. However, the request to take take off the garment violated her religious beliefs, Local 6 News reported.
"For Muslim women, that's like going out naked in front of strangers, and we are both practicing Muslims," Gamim Muhammad, Najat Muhammad's husband, said.
According to Florida law, a citizen must have full-face picture on their driver's license and photo ID card.
But, the DMV in Tallahassee, Fla., said it will reconsider letting Muhammad get her ID card if she agrees to show her full face from her hairline to her chin, according to the Local 6 report.
She will attempt get the new license this week.
"I don't think anyone is trying to deny us an opportunity to practice our religion," Muhammad said. "I think people are afraid now."
Copyright 2007 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and
Local6.com.
All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten
or redistributed.