Patch
William Bornhoft,Patch Staff
Saturday October 7, 2023
A Muslim civil rights said that a female inmate was threatened if she didn't remove her hijab and have her picture taken without it.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has sued the federal correction institute (FCI) in Waseca, accusing staff of removing a Muslim woman’s hijab, photographing her, and forcing her to carry that photo on her ID card. (Image via Google Streetview)
WASECA, MN — The Council on American-Islamic Relations has sued the federal correction institute (FCI) in Waseca, accusing staff of removing a Muslim woman’s hijab, photographing her, and forcing her to carry that photo on her ID card.
The civil rights group identified their client as Muna Jama, a federal inmate and Somali-American Muslim. Jama was often threatened if she did not comply with orders to remove her hijab, including threats to cut off her communication with her children, according to CAIR.
"Mrs. Jama was often threatened if she did not comply with orders to remove her hijab – including threats to cut off her communication with her children," said CAIR Legal Fellow Aya Beydoun in a news release.
"The hijab is a sacred part of Mrs. Jama’s identity and her connection to God. No one should be forced to choose between their faith and the ability to speak to their children."
The lawsuit states that the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S. Constitution protects Jama from having to remove her hijab because it guarantees individuals the right to practice their religious beliefs without interference from the government
The lawssuit also cites the Federal Bureau of Prison’s own policies that allow female inmates to wear their religious headwear throughout its facilities.
The lawsuit asks the courts to "take all possible steps to destroy Ms. Jama’s uncovered photographs from their database and to end its practice of taking and using uncovered photographs."
Patch has reached out to FCI-Waseca.