CAIR: Oklahoma Anti-Hijab Bill Dismissed

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Oklahoma chapter of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OK) today commended state senators
for dismissing a controversial bill (HB 1645) that would have prohibited
Islamic head scarves, or hijabs, on driver's licenses photographs and photo
IDs.

For background, see: Oklahoma Muslims Asked to Challenge Anti-Hijab
Legislation
http://tinyurl.com/cdp5ku

The State Senate Sub-Committee on Transportation dropped the bill last week
after recognizing it did not have the backing of constituents who believed it
violated First Amendment rights. The Senate Judiciary Committee also dropped
the bill after realizing that the Department of Public Safety currently has a
policy that allows for religious exemptions on driver's licenses photographs.
Federal and military IDs also allow a religious exemption.

SEE: CAIR-OK: Religious Headcovering Bill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOjAdnRIctE

"We thank Oklahoma lawmakers for their leadership and courage in standing up
for religious pluralism and the First Amendment. We appreciate their
recognition of the contributions that all faiths make to the great state of
Oklahoma and we look forward to continuing to work together for all
Oklahomans," said CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi. He added that some
600 letters opposing the draft legislation were sent to lawmakers by
Oklahomans of all faiths.

SEE: Ignorance is the Enemy (Tulsa World)
http://tinyurl.com/csyblx

Hashmi said many people believe the bill was introduced in reaction to
CAIR-OK's successful resolution of a dispute over a Muslim woman's right to
wear hijab in her driver's license photo.

SEE: Muslim Woman Takes Driver's Photo with Head Scarf (Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQHU6JXdCl8

According to a 2004 CAIR review, most states -- with the exception of Georgia,
Kentucky and New Hampshire -- have addressed religious accommodation concerns.
Five states -- Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, Missouri and Maine -- recognize
some religious practices, while the other 42 states have adopted more
inclusive approaches to religious accommodation policies.

SEE: Religious Accommodation in Driver's License Photographs
http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/litigation/documents/LWVJ.pdf

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and
chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding
of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American
Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-OK Executive Director Razi Hashmi, 405-248-5853, E-Mail:
rhashmi@cair.com; CAIR-OK Chairperson Lobna Hewedi, E-Mail: lhewedi@cair.com;
CAIR-OK Operations Coordinator Tariq Ahmad, E-Mail: tahmad@cair.com; CAIR
National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726,
E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin,
202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

Razi Hashmi, +1-405-248-5853, rhashmi@cair.com; Lobna Hewedi,
lhewedi@cair.com; Tariq Ahmad, tahmad@cair.com; Ibrahim Hooper,
+1-202-488-8787, +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; Amina Rubin,
+1-202-488-8787, +1-202-341-4171, arubin@cair.com; all of Council on
American-Islamic Relations