U.S. Supreme Court Decision Upholds Ruling in Favor of Muslim Police Officers

October 18, 1999

Source: New York Daily News

On October 18, 1999, the Daily News reported that the Supreme Court upheld a ruling by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of two Sunni Muslim officers in the Newark Police Department who sued after growing beards almost got them fired from the Department. The decision upheld the right of Muslim police officers to practice their religion. Attorney Christopher Dunn of the New York Civil Liberties Union stated: "As a result of this decision, Muslim police officers have a very strong right to wear a beard if their religion dictates that they do so."