CLEVELAND (AP) — Muslim and community leaders are protesting a jail's refusal to let an Islamic woman wear a head covering to court.
About 50 people demonstrated at the Justice Center on behalf of Aisha Samad after jail officials refused to let her wear a head covering for a June 27 appearance in county Common Pleas Court in a child custody case.
Her attorney, Rufus Sims, said she was also denied the right to wear a small cap to cover her hair.
Kenneth Kochevar, county corrections director, said officers followed standard security procedures. "A person cannot cover their identity," he said. "We have to make sure something is not hidden away."
The county jail lets Muslim men wear small caps but women's scarves are not allowed and that won't change, said the Rev. Beverly Johnson, head chaplain. "We have not denied or prevented her from practicing her religious beliefs," she said.
But Sims said the hijab — the head covering — is an object with social, religious and sexual implications. He will seek a meeting with county officials about changing the policy.
Samad spent a night in jail after being arrested for missing a court date, but a charge against her was later dismissed.