Two Muslim Women Sue Orange County Sheriff’s Department Over Forced Hijab Removal During UC Irvine Protest

Two Muslim Women Sue Orange County Sheriff’s Department Over Forced Hijab Removal During UC Irvine Protest
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Two Muslim women, Salma Nasoordeen and Shenai Aini, have filed a lawsuit against Orange County and its sheriff’s department, alleging deputies forcibly removed their hijabs during a peaceful protest at UC Irvine in May 2024, ABC 7 reported. The lawsuit was filed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) and the Asian Law Caucus (ALC).

The women were participating in a demonstration related to the Israel-Gaza conflict on May 15, 2024, when they were arrested. Nasoordeen alleges that an Orange County deputy ripped her hijab off and stomped on it during her arrest. She also stated that her exposed hair was broadcast by media covering the protest.

According to their attorneys, at the Santa Ana intake release center, deputies ordered Nasoordeen and Aini to remove their hijabs in front of male staff for booking photos. These photos have since become public, raising concerns about religious freedom and privacy violations.

The lawsuit challenges the sheriff’s department’s handling of the arrests, highlighting issues of religious discrimination and respect for cultural practices during law enforcement procedures.