Jamilla Clark and Arwa Aziz Win $17.5 Million in New York Lawsuit Over Forced Hijab Removal for Mugshots

Jamilla Clark and Arwa Aziz are two Muslim women who had in 2018 filed a class lawsuit alleging that their rights were contravened when Police asked them to remove their Hijab for a mugshot. New York City has finally agreed to pay $17.5 million to settle the lawsuit.

New York City to Pay $17.5M to Clark and Aziz for Hijab Removal in Mugshots

Jamilla Clark and Arwa Aziz were arrested on January 9, 2017 and August 30, 2017 for filing a bogus protective order against her abusive husband. The duo alleged that the New York Police Department (NYPD) threatened prosecution if she didn’t remove her hijab.

Jamilla Clark said in a statement said,

“When they forced me to take off my hijab, I felt as if I were naked, I’m not sure if words can capture how exposed and violated. I felt so proud today to have played a part in getting justice for thousands of New Yorkers. This settlement proves I was right all those years ago when I said it was wrong to remove my hijab for a mugshot. I hope no New Yorker ever has to experience what I went through.”

Aziz’s story is also similar and she was also arrested for a fake protection order. Aziz also recounted the hijab removal demand by the NYPD and said that she had to undergo deep emotional trauma when her pictures were taken without headscarves exposing her to numerous male police officers and over 30 inmates.

Jamilla Clark and Arwa Aziz said that the hijab or the scarfs are essential head coverings which are worn by Muslim women as a part of the Islamic religion and being forced to remove it is much akin to strip searching. The lawyers described the act as making the victims feel exposed and violated.  

New York City will as per the settlement pay $17.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by two Muslim women. As per the settlement each of the plaintiff’s will receive between $7,824 and $13,125 after legal fees are deducted.

The settlement can benefit over 3,600 people who are eligible for reimbursements. However the settlement still needs the approval of the district court judge. The settlement amount of $13.1 million is not final and the amount can go up if moiré than the expected 3,600 qualified class members file their claims.

Albert Fox Cahn, the attorney who represented the plaintiff said that the NYPD cannot breach the First Amendment rights of New Yorkers without incurring consequences.

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