Muslim Women Complain About Head-Scarf Removal At DMV : AP

Despite a policy that allows motorists to wear religious head coverings in their driver license photos, some Muslim women complain that workers at the state Motor Vehicle Commission continue to require them to either remove their head scarfs or pull them back so that a substantial amount of hair is showing.

After several of the women complained, the motor vehicle agency wrote several letters of apology, and promised to redouble its efforts to make sure all its employees are familiar with guidelines on head coverings, and apply them equally to everyone.

Sarah Elfayoumi went to have her photo taken at the Lodi office in October, and said she was told by a female employee to take off her hijab, or Muslim head scarf. As is the case in other religions, observant Muslim women cover their heads as a sign of modesty and respect for God.

"Everyone in the room was watching, and it was incredibly embarrassing," she said.

First of all I believe that these women were wronged. They should not have been humiliated.

On the other hand, the Muslim community ought to come clean: covering up women is an Arabic cultural artifact that became popular when it became a signal of the the Muslim militancy of the 1970's. Look at any photos of Muslim parts of the world prior to 1978 and you will not see veiled women.

The rule for Islam is the same as the rule for Christianity and Judaism: i.e. modesty

As for the situation in Muslim countries, the authorities there would laugh at the refusal of a woman to refuse to show her full face for an official identification card. In Saudi Arabia, women are arrested and beaten for driving.