Woman with Face Veil Won’t Uncover for Drivers Licence Photo

If the purpose of the niqab (face veil) is to not draw attention to oneself, then Sultaana Freeman’s niqab has failed her miserably. After the events of 9/11, her Florida drivers licence was suspended because she refused to replace the photo with one showing her face. Ms. Freeman promptly filed a lawsuit in Orange County Circuit Court to get her license reinstated. “The reasonable person in Florida is not offended by having to sit for a driver license photo,” argued the state attorney (ironically named) Jason Veil. “This plaintiff is hypersensitive.” Freeman’s attorney, Howard Marks, argued that the state didn’t have a problem with her photo before, and some devout Christians have had drivers licenses without photos for religious reasons as well. So far, the judge seems to be leaning toward Freeman, granting her permission to continue with her case, which the vast majority of American Muslims who don’t wear niqab hope will end soon and be forgotten.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.