Muslim woman refuses to remove her veil in court, so judge tosses case

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Ginnnah Muhammad of Detroit was looking for her day in court.

Instead, she said she felt as if a judge forced her to choose between her case and her religion in a small-claims dispute in Hamtramck District Court.

A devout Muslim, she wore a niqab - a scarf and veil to cover her face and head except for her eyes - Oct. 11 as she contested a rental car company's charging her $2,750 to repair a vehicle after thieves broke into it.

Judge Paul Paruk said he needed to see her face to judge her truthfulness and gave Muhammad, 42, a choice: take off the veil when testifying or the case would be dismissed. She kept the veil on.

[...]

Paruk said he offered to let Muhammad, who was born in the United States and converted to Islam at the age of 10, wear the veil during the proceedings except when she testified. He said this was the first time someone had come before his court wearing a niqab, and he noted that many Muslims do not consider it a religious symbol.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtl...on/15817636.htm

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Notably, the article leaves out a critical detail--whether ms. Muhammad actually paid the extra insurance when she rented.

A callous fact--if she paid only basic rental (plus tax), she had no case to begin with!

[Veiled Princess 1]

What does it matter if all muslims do not agree that it's a religious symbol?

[mawilson 2,133]

Notably, the article leaves out a critical detail--whether ms. Muhammad actually paid the extra insurance when she rented.

A callous fact--if she paid only basic rental (plus tax), she had no case to begin with!

Maybe her credit card offered CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) insurance.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Notably, the article leaves out a critical detail--whether ms. Muhammad actually paid the extra insurance when she rented.

A callous fact--if she paid only basic rental (plus tax), she had no case to begin with!

Maybe her credit card offered CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) insurance.

In that instance, the settlement would likely have been between the CC co. and the rental agency--and highly UNLIKELY to go to a court case in the first place.

[almaty 19]

Ginnnah Muhammad of Detroit was looking for her day in court.

Instead, she said she felt as if a judge forced her to choose between her case and her religion in a small-claims dispute in Hamtramck District Court.

A devout Muslim, she wore a niqab - a scarf and veil to cover her face and head except for her eyes - Oct. 11 as she contested a rental car company's charging her $2,750 to repair a vehicle after thieves broke into it.

Judge Paul Paruk said he needed to see her face to judge her truthfulness and gave Muhammad, 42, a choice: take off the veil when testifying or the case would be dismissed. She kept the veil on.

[...]

Paruk said he offered to let Muhammad, who was born in the United States and converted to Islam at the age of 10, wear the veil during the proceedings except when she testified. He said this was the first time someone had come before his court wearing a niqab, and he noted that many Muslims do not consider it a religious symbol.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtl...on/15817636.htm

i have been to court many times..not as a criminal though...but as a witness for the parole board etc...the judge can order anyone to go home and put on what he/she deems as proper clothing or remove items..like a ball hat ..

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What does it matter if all muslims do not agree that it's a religious symbol?

Because it means it's to be taken less seriously than those items of faith that are agreed upon by all.

[almaty 19]

What does it matter if all muslims do not agree that it's a religious symbol?

Because it means it's to be taken less seriously than those items of faith that are agreed upon by all.

sanita..a Chechen only wore a veil once in algeria...it is not a custom or does it appear to be sanctioned by most islamic women

What does it matter if all muslims do not agree that it's a religious symbol?

Because it means it's to be taken less seriously than those items of faith that are agreed upon by all.

sanita..a Chechen only wore a veil once in algeria...it is not a custom or does it appear to be sanctioned by most islamic women

also, do you wear a veil??

Edited October 23, 2006 by almaty

[Kez/JWolf 6]

This woman should be embracing her American culture not hiding behind some form of dress that most women musilim or not.... do not wear in the USA.... Even a Catholic Nun can be asked to remove her head dress while in a court....

Kezzie

Edited October 23, 2006 by Kezzie

[Veiled Princess 1]

i have been to court many times..not as a criminal though...but as a witness for the parole board etc...the judge can order anyone to go home and put on what he/she deems as proper clothing or remove items..like a ball hat ..

I don't think anyone considers wearing a ball hat as God ordained.

[Marc and Olga 0]

She's lucky she didn't get a contempt charge.

[Veiled Princess 1]

What does it matter if all muslims do not agree that it's a religious symbol?

Because it means it's to be taken less seriously than those items of faith that are agreed upon by all.

There is little that is agreed upon by all of any faith.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What does it matter if all muslims do not agree that it's a religious symbol?

Because it means it's to be taken less seriously than those items of faith that are agreed upon by all.

There is little that is agreed upon by all of any faith.

I'm pretty sure all Muslims agree on the Five Pillars as being integral to Islam, whether they follow through or not. That all Muslims do not even agree on the religious importance of the veil speaks volumes for how seriously non-Muslims such as myself need to take the veil

Edited October 23, 2006 by Gupt

[Veiled Princess 1]

I'm pretty sure all Muslims agree on the Five Pillars as being integral to Islam, whether they follow through or not. That all Muslims do not even agree on the religious importance of the veil speaks volumes for how seriously non-Muslims such as myself need to take the veil

From what I understand, some muslims do not agree on the five pillars of Islam.

It doesn't matter if you take it seriously or not... what matters is a person's right to religious freedom in this country.... that means any understanding of any religion.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

.... that means any understanding of any religion.

No, it doesn't mean that. If it did, I'd make a religion up right now and demand my new found rights. But in reality those rights only go to the religions that were made up a long time ago (like yours), not to religions that are made up today.

Edited October 23, 2006 by Gupt