A 27-year-old Muslim woman Malak Kazan is filing a lawsuit against the Dearborn Heights police department in Michigan, US for forcing her to remove her hijab when she was arrested and booked for a traffic misdemeanor offense last year.
Kazan said she was humiliated by the department's policy, which required her to remove her scarf when she was detained for driving on a suspended license. As part of the booking process, Kazan was asked to remove her hijab for her mug shot.
Kazan expressed concern over the policy by conveying it to the policemen on duty, claiming it was a violation of her religion. She allegedly asked for a female police officer, but was told they couldn't provide her with one.
The suit, claims that Kazan was denied her constitutional rights and suffered "severe discomfort, humiliation and emotional distress."
It seeks a permanent injunction requiring Dearborn Heights police and the city to modify its head covering policy to allow for those worn for religious purposes as well as provide appropriate training. Damages also are sought.
Local Attorney Amir Makled from the Law Office of Cyril C. Hall filed the case at the U.S. District Court.
He is demanding the department change its policy and is also seeking both compensatory and punitive damages for his client.
"We hope this cause of action will bring to light a policy that is dated and needs to be amended. We also hope to get some further diversity training for officers in the city.
Hopefully this will be a learning experience for other law enforcement agencies."
Dearborn Heights Police Chief Lee Gavin did not respond to emailed requests for comment regarding the incident.
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