(WCNC) A Muslim woman has reached a settlement with Mecklenburg County over a lawsuit alleging jail officials violated her religious rights by forcing her to remove her hijab for a booking photograph.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced the resolution of the lawsuit against the Mecklenburg County Detention Center Central and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office on behalf of Laila El-Ali.
The settlement includes policy changes and an undisclosed monetary amount. El-Ali’s photograph has been removed from the jail’s database.
“This case is about protecting the fundamental right of Muslim women to practice their faith with dignity,” said CAIR staff attorney Nadia Bayado. “No one should be forced to choose between their religious beliefs and compliance with law enforcement procedures.”
