Coast Guard Accused of Discrimination (forbids religious head coverings)

[Kadie]

Coast Guard Accused of Discrimination
37 minutes ago



NEW YORK - A civil liberties group accused the Coast Guard Tuesday of discrimination because it forbids religious head coverings in photographs submitted by those seeking merchant marine licenses.

snip...
The group brought the claim on behalf of Khalid Hakim, a Muslim who has served in the merchant marine while working for private shipping companies since 1973.

Before September 2001, he regularly received licenses after submitting photographs in which he wore his religious hat, called a kufi, the lawsuit said. After Sept. 11, though, the Coast Guard said he would have to remove the hat to get a license, the suit said.

The lack of a license left him unable to work as a merchant marine, the NYCLU said.

Shortly before the lawsuit was brought, the Coast Guard without explanation issued a new license to Hakim, the NYCLU said.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060329/ap_on_re_us/religious_discrimination_1