A Michigan Supreme Court ruling could force Muslim women to remove their veils in court. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
The statewide regulation, approved in a 5 to 2 vote, would allow the judges some control over what they perceive as impediments to making their decisions, according to Michigan media. The two dissenting judges argued that exceptions should be made in the case of religious beliefs.
In a 2006 case, a Muslim woman from Detroit sued the district judge for dismissing a the small claims case she had filed. Her case was dropped because she refused to remove her niqab at the judge’s request. The niqab covers all but a women’s eyes.
The judge ordered the veil’s removal so that he could better access her truthfulness.
The court agreed with Judge Paul Paruk on June 17 in a ruling that allows judges some control over the dress of parties or witnesses in their courts. The intent is to enable accurate identification and better assessment of demeanor.
