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Article: A beard can be more than facial hair
- Article from:
- Washington Jewish Week
- Article date:
- August 4, 2005
CopyrightCopyright Washington Jewish Week Aug 4, 2005. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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A federal district court judge this week took what we hope is a step toward a decision on the side of religious freedom.
U.S. District Judge James Robertson temporarily extended an injunction preventing officials from demanding that three D.C. firefighters shave their beards.
The Muslim firefighters say such a work policy would violate their religious freedom.
D.C. fire officials argue that the facial hair could endanger the firefighters in the event of a biological or chemical attack. Officials contend that the beards would prevent a proper seal from forming between oxygen masks and skin.
The American Civil Liberties Union has countered such an argument. ACLU lawyer Arthur Spitzer says ...