One student at a Virginia university had to get written approval of her Muslim faith in order to take her student ID picture.
According to the Shine, Hampton University senior Melonna Clarke, 26, had to get a written letter from her mosque for approval by the chaplain and the student affairs in order to wear her hijab, a headscarf Muslim women would wear.
“My reaction was “Are you serious?’” said Clarke, “It was ridiculous especially because Hampton is a multicultural university. It’s hard enough to walk out of my house every day to face prejudice.”
Clarke converted to Islam when she was 21, but only recently began feeling comfortable wearing a hijab. Because her student ID picture had to reflect every day appearance, and unable to use her past ID, Clarke was not allowed to go into school places that required an ID.
The Daily Mail reports since the university is a private school, a stricter dress code is allowed. Caps and hoods are restricted, but religious headgear is allowed if a student turns in a written request.
She now carries the approval papers with her just in case she lost her ID or questioned by people.