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Muslim Woman's Religious Rights Were Violated by Jailers
Photo by miss_millions via Flickr
A 9th circuit court of appeals has found that a Muslim woman who was forced to remove her headscarf while in an Orange County jail may proceed with a lawsuit she filed against the county. Souhair Khatib was arrested in 2006 after a judge "revoked her probation from a misdemeanor welfare fraud conviction," reports KNBC. While imprisoned, guards made her take off her headscarf, which she wore for religious purposes.
Khatib filed a lawsuit in 2007, however her suit was initially struck down by judge and a court panel, who wrote that holding cells don't have to abide by the law which protects religious freedom. The 9th circuit voted unanimously to overturn the decision of the lower court.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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