NEW YORK, Oct 7: The New York Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to order the Department of Correctional Services to allow a Muslim official to wear his skullcap (Kufi cap) while on duty.

The suit, filed in the Federal District Court, says Abdus Samad Haqq, 53, a guard at the Lincoln work-release facility, has been barred by supervisors since last year from wearing his ‘kufi’ — a cap Muslims wear to signal devotion.

The suit notes that the United States military, the city correction department and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority all allow exceptions to their uniform codes for religious headgear.

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...