Muslim Woman Denied Request to Wear Hijab in Court

July 25, 2002

Source: The Plain Dealer

On July 25, 2002, The Plain Dealer reported that in response to an Ohio county's refusal to allow a female prisoner to wear her hijab, "a prison-issue navy hijab will now be provided to any female inmate who requests one, jail director Kenneth Kochevar said...    'Since we allow head coverings for male inmates, it only seemed right to do the same for the women,' Kochevar said... The new policy was devised after Kochevar consulted with jails in Chicago, Cincinnati and Columbus. The head coverings will be about the size of a small towel and donated by the jail's imam, Kochevar said... The move comes nearly a month after Aisha Samad complained she was not permitted to wear her hijab in court. Officers also refused her request to wear a smaller head covering."