Car-hire case becomes question of religious freedom

A case which started out as a question of car damages is being taken up as a case of religious rights. According to the Detroit Free Press, Ginah Muhammad tried to sue a car rental company after they charged her over $2,000 for damages incurred by thieves.

The case was seen by District Judge Paul Paruk in Hamtramck, Michigan.

During the case Judge Paruk requested that Muhammad, who is a devout Muslim, testify without her veil. Muhammad attempted to compromise with the judge by offering to remove her veil in order to testify in front of a female judge.

Hamtramck, unfortunately, has just one district judge, and he is a man. As a result, Paruk dismissed the case. The Detroit Free Press followed further developments as the car company successfully countersued Muhammad.

According to Nahib Ayad, Muhammad’s attorney, Paruk violated Muhammad’s religious rights and denied her fair access to the judicial system on the basis of her religion. So the case went to court again on April 29th.

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office has filed a motion to dismiss the case on several grounds including the statement that Paruk’s order to remove her veil did not interfere with Muhammad’s religious practices.

U.S. District Judge John Feikens will be issuing a written decision on the case but has not announced when the ruling will be made.