What D@mn Country Is This!!!!!!!!!!

[seawinds]

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 28) - Experts in Islamic law are being called to testify in the lawsuit of a Muslim woman fighting a state order to take off her veil for her driver's license photo.

Sultanna Freeman, 35, says Florida's insistence on photographing her face violates her religious rights.

``I don't unveil ... because it would be disobeying my Lord,'' Freeman testified Tuesday at the start of her non-jury trial.

Assistant Attorney General Jason Vail argued that having an easily identifiable photo on a driver's license is a matter of public safety.

``It's the primary method of identification in Florida and the nation,'' Vail said. ``I don't think there can be any doubt there is a public safety interest.''

Freeman's attorneys argue that state officials didn't care that she wore a veil in her Florida driver's license photo until after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, an allegation the state denies.

``This is about religious liberty. It's about whether this country is going to have religious diversity,'' said Howard Marks, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.

Both sides planned to call experts in Islamic law at the trial, which continues Wednesday. A copy of the Quran has been entered into evidence.

Freeman, a convert to Islam previously known as Sandra Kellar, wore her veil for the photo on the Florida driver's license she obtained after moving to the state in 2001.

Nine months later, she received a letter from the state warning that it would revoke her license unless she returned for a photo with her face uncovered.

Freeman claims her religious beliefs require her to keep her head and face covered out of modesty and that her faith prohibits her face from being photographed.

05/28/03 07:34 EDT

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[newwiccan]

I saw this on Court TV earlier. They said even in Islamic countries, if the woman is allowed to drive, her picture is taken without the veil.

[seawinds]

I`m sorry if I step on someones toe`s..I`m so sick of other people from other countries complaining that we Americans have offended their rights..Last darn time I checked this was the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA....what about our rights in our country.....If we step on your toes or offend you rights take you BUTT back to your own COUNTRY...THE END!!!!!

[odyssey]

I read this in the morning paper.


question:
let us say that a person filled with tattoo's covering his entire head and face goes to the DMV does he/she have problems? as in later they can remove that with surgery.

or let us say a person with a very obvious wig and walks in do they have to remove it?

or what about the men with the full beard like Santa, it grows from the ears all the way to the belly does he has to shave it off for the picture?

[seawinds]

At least you Can see their face...You can`t see jack...on this woman...

[newwiccan]

To answer your questions, no. You can still see their faces. With a veil on, all that can be seen is the woman's eyes.

[odyssey]

I wanted to add, unless in the DMV handbook it reads that the entire face of the applicant must be visible and uncovered then she must remove it, otherwise leave it on.


ALSO from my birth country women and even young girls wear a scarf on their head. Even in America they do everywhere not just to church but everyday life to work, shopping everywhere. Even their daughters do at a very young age to show they love God.

[seawinds]

Well if she changed it...She still knew the rules here...Do you know what is happening in this Country..Everything is changing because of people from other countries...We Americans like our Country the way it is...and Like I said before if you don`t like the way we live here...LEAVE...

[odyssey]

parden me seawinds, I will not leave this country.
I have adapted since I was 3 months old now I am 27.
she is expressing her views.
some people have different lifestyles and choices. why should we leave?

[cab244]

This is for everyone's safety. For God's sake, it's a driver's license, it's not like their asking to post it on Playboy. They complain on one hand that we treat them differently then everyone else then they turn around and ask us too. Wtf are we supposed to do. No, I don't think she should leave the country(unless she wants to) but maybe she should just consider taking the bus.

[newwiccan]

Cab's right. It's for EVERYONE's safety and security. If I remember right, Court TV said they'll even let a woman take the picture so no men see her without her veil. What's the problem?