Muslim woman lodges complaint against Tennessee sheriff over forced Hijab removal

Sophia Johnston, who was arrested earlier this month for driving with a suspended license, was told by the deputies at Rutherford County Jail that she had to remove her head covering. Refusing to comply due to religious reasons, Johnston faced the threat of prolonged incarceration.

Expressing her distress, Johnston told WSMV4, a local news outlet, "I was confused. I felt like I was in an unknown place. I was scared, I felt very naked because as a Muslim woman, our hijab is our protection." She further added that only the men in her family have seen her without her hijab.

The lawsuit claims that the sheriff's office violated state laws that protect religious freedom. Johnston emotionally described the moment of unveiling, stating, "Once I unwrap my scarf, they all come out and just slowly walk past me, and I'm just trying so hard to not cry, not to break down because I can't show these people that they broke me."

When approached for comment, the Rutherford County sheriff's office declined to provide a statement regarding the ongoing legal proceedings. Johnston's case is the latest in a series of lawsuits filed by Muslim women in the US against law enforcement agencies for the forced removal of their hijabs during detention.

Considered a religious obligation by some Muslims, the hijab is worn by women to maintain modesty around men who are not considered their "mahram" (male family members with whom marriage is considered forbidden). Forcing the removal of the hijab infringes upon both their civic and religious rights, according to the lawsuit.

Policies regarding religious coverings during arrests and mugshots vary by state in the US. In previous cases, some police departments, such as in New York City, have modified their policies to allow women to retain their head coverings as long as they do not obstruct their faces. Furthermore, several lawsuits have resulted in significant settlements, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

In a noteworthy incident in 2017, the city of Long Beach, California agreed to pay $85,000 in a federal settlement to a Muslim woman whose hijab was forcibly removed by a male officer while she was in police custody.