DAYTONA BEACH - A Muslim woman initially denied a state identification card when she refused to remove a head covering got the ID when she agreed to adjust her scarf allowing her face to be photographed.
Najat Tamim-Muhammad, 41, returned to the Daytona Beach driver's license office Friday, assured she could wear the head covering as long as her full face could be seen in the photo.
An official at the driver's license office said the agreement met the requirements of state law and policy.
Similar situations will be handled individually, said Darlene Wiles, supervisor of the Daytona Beach office of the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
"To follow the intent of the law, we have to see the full face. We have to be able to see her eyebrows, cheeks, chin, nose and at least part of her forehead," Wiles said.
Practicing Muslim women are required by their religion to keep all but their face and hands covered while in public. They wear a covering called a "hijab."
"I'm very happy. Now I'm feeling very free," Tamim-Muhammad said, showing off her new ID card.
Tamim-Muhammad wanted a new ID card because she had moved following her marriage five months ago. The native Moroccan, who came here two years ago, would like to get a driver's license once she masters English.
"To see her happy, that's the biggest thing for me," said her husband, Idris Muhammad. "The next step is driving."