The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the filing of a lawsuit, in partnership with Ohio Attorney Roula Allouch, against Franklin County and seven officers who allegedly deprived three Muslim women the right to wear an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.
“Franklin County’s actions and policy are unquestionably unconstitutional,” said CAIR Staff Attorney Catherine Keck. “Officers at the facility teased, belittled, and threatened these women into compliance. People who are detained do not lose their religious rights and the County knew better.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE LAWSUIT.
BACKGROUNDER:
Franklin County has long maintained a policy requiring Muslim women to remove their hijabs when taking booking photographs at their detention centers. On April 24, 2024, the County and its officers denied three women, Dr. Sumaya Hamadmad, Hoda Elahinia, and Jane Doe, their constitutional right to wear hijab in accordance with that policy. Ignoring the women’s pleas, Franklin County officers demanded that the women remove their hijab, and, in one case, employed five officers to pin down and forcibly removed it. The officers then took each woman’s booking photograph without her hijab and shared the uncovered photographs on online databases.
Throughout the women’s detention, officers continued to torment them. One officer told Dr. Hamadmad that she “did not deserve nice treatment” when she attempted to cover herself and delayed her processing because of it. Another officer falsely told Ms. Elahinia that she “gave up” her constitutional rights when she got arrested. Yet another refused to even explain the headwear policy to Ms. Doe when she inquired why she was required to remove her religious covering.
As a result, the women were seen uncovered by multiple men and detainees both live in the facility and as memorialized through uncovered booking photographs. These photographs were subsequently shared with other state agencies and law enforcement entities, further amplifying the harm that the women experienced.
CAIR’s lawsuit now aims to hold Franklin County and its officers accountable under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871. Several courts across the country have already, unequivocally, found similar policies unconstitutional.
Plaintiffs hope that this lawsuit will create lasting change in Franklin County. “While we endured the humiliating violation of our rights during detention at Franklin County, this lawsuit serves as a reminder that everyone—regardless of who or where they are—retains the right to dignity and safe religious practice at all times,” Hoda Elahinia reflects. “Ultimately, this lawsuit is about holding the powerful accountable and reclaiming our rights that should never have been stripped away.”
CAIR provides Know Your Rights Guides and toolkits for interactions with law enforcement. If you or someone you know believes their rights have been violated, contact CAIR LDF or your local CAIR Chapter for assistance.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Deputy Litigation Director Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, gabbas@cair.com; CAIR Staff Attorney, Catherine Keck, ckeck@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com