Muslim woman to sue Rutherford sheriff for forcing her to take off hijab

A Muslim woman named Sophia Johnston is suing the Rutherford County sheriff and his officers for allegedly forcing her to remove her hijab for a mug shot.

The incident occurred after she was pulled over in Wilson County for a broken taillight and an outstanding warrant for a six-year-old misdemeanor related to driving with a revoked license.

At the Wilson County Sheriff’s office, she was initially allowed to take two mug shots: one without her hijab for internal purposes and another with her hijab for the official record.

However, when she was taken to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, she was told she could not wear her hijab in the photo.

Although she pleaded with the officer and explained her religious beliefs, she was told to remove her hijab.

Fearing detention indefinitely, she reluctantly obeyed in front of a female officer, but the male officers saw her without her hijab as well.

Her attorney, Daniel Horwitz, claimed that her religious rights had been violated, pointing out that both First Amendment protections and state and federal laws protect an individual’s right to exercise religion.

He argued that the request to remove the hijab was unnecessary and the threat of imprisonment unacceptable.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s office did not respond to inquiries about the incident.

The case underscores the conflict between religious freedom and government action and highlights the need to uphold individuals’ right to freely exercise their religion without unjustified restrictions.