The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Washington, D.C. applauded a decision by the State of Alabama to adjust its policies regarding Islamic head scarves, or hijabs, to meet the needs of religious Muslim women by allowing them to wear it in driver’s license photographs.

Last January, CAIR called the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) to review its new special policy of banning all head coverings in license photographs. CAIR previously received complaints from Muslim women in Alabama who were prevented from obtaining or renewing licenses because they refused to take off their religious scarves. The Council also called its supporters to contact the concerned parties in the State of Alabama, urging them to change this policy; hundreds of Muslims responded and took part in the campaign.

The amended policy outlines the necessity of a full face photograph in the driving license, and clarifies that "head coverings are only acceptable due to religious beliefs or medical conditions."

In a statement to Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama, CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hoober thanked him for "recognizing the need to accommodate the religious beliefs and practices of his constituents.” Hoober also appreciated the effort of “all those individuals and groups — such as the Alabama office of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Muslim leaders — who contacted or met with state officials to support religious freedom."

Hooper also said that this policy change in Alabama leaves the state in conformity with the majority of other states, which already allow religious and medical exemptions for head coverings in driver's license photographs.