Muslim Man Wearing Kufi was Denied Entry to Ga. Court, His Lawyer Says
After a Muslim woman was arrested and jailed for refusing to remove her hijab as she tried to enter a Douglas County courtroom, the Georgia Judicial Council adopted a policy stating that religious headcoverings can be worn in all state courthouses.
However, a Henry County judge today refused to allow a Muslim man to enter his courtroom to defend a speeding charge because he was wearing a kufi, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The judge expressed doubt about the religious purpose of the tight-fitting cap worn by Troy “Tariq” Montgomery, 46, and said he believed the new headcovering policy applies only to women, according to attorney Mawuli “Mel” Davis, who represents Montgomery. He plans to file a motion seeking reconsideration of the decision by Judge James Chafin and has contacted the American Civil Liberties Union and the Georgia Association of Muslim Lawyers.
“Here we are two years later with a Muslim man not being able to wear his religious attire,” Davis told the newspaper, referring to the woman who was jailed over wearing a hijab, Lisa Valentine. At last report, she had filed a civil suit.
An Associated Press article provides additional details. When the new policy allowing religious headcoverings was adopted by the judicial council in 2009, it notes, Chief Justice Carol Hunstein said “If this had been a nun, no one would have required her to remove her habit.”
Chafin didn’t respond to a request for comment by the AJC concerning Montgomery.
