Judge Considers Suit Against Judge Who Asked Woman to Remove Her Veil
A federal judge in Detroit is considering whether a Muslim woman may sue a small claims court judge who asked her to remove her veil.
The woman, Ginnnah Muhammad, claims Judge Paul Paruk of Hamtramck unconstitutionally interfered with her right to practice religion and violated a civil rights law requiring access to courts, the Associated Press reports. Muhammad is suing a car rental company for charging her to repair a vehicle that she says was damaged by thieves. Paruk dismissed the case when Muhammad refused to take off the veil.
U.S. District Judge John Feikens said he will issue a written opinion in the case, but did not say when he would rule. Feikens said the case was discretionary, hinting that he may take no action, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Assistant state attorney general Margaret Nelson, who is representing Paruk, said the judge needed Muhammad to remove her veil so he could assess her credibility as she testified.
