CAIR files lawsuit against Minnesota prison over hijab removal incident

Jama, a Somali-American Muslim woman, was forced to remove her hijab for a photo that was then used on her ID card

SAINT PAUL, Minnesota – A lawsuit has been filed against the federal correctional facility FCI Waseca in Minnesota for violating religious rights.

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has accused the facility of forcing a Muslim woman, Muna Jama, to remove her hijab for a photo that was then used on her ID card.

Jama, a Somali-American Muslim woman, faces constant humiliation because of this ID card, which shows her without a hijab.

She is required to present this card at various activities at the facility, showing her uncovered image to male staff, which causes her great distress.

CAIR’s legal advisor, Aya Beydoun, explained that the hijab is an essential part of Jama’s religious identity.

“Mrs. Jama was often threatened if she did not comply with orders to remove her hijab – including threats to cut off her communication with her children,” she said.

“The hijab is a sacred part of Mrs. Jama’s identity and her connection to God. No one should be forced to choose between their faith and the ability to speak to their children.”   

The lawsuit alleges violations of the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Although Jama is permitted to wear her hijab at the facility, her repeated requests and numerous complaints about her photo situation go unanswered.

CAIR is advocating for the removal of Jama’s non-hijab photos from the facility’s database and the cessation of such practices.

The Federal Bureau of Prison’s own policies allow female incarcerates to wear their religious headwear (including hijab) throughout the facility, but no logical reason has been provided as to why incarcerates at FCI Waseca like Jama are forced to take their photos without a hijab.