The county of Snohomish, Washington, has unanimously passed a resolution supporting women’s right to don hijab and promoting religious freedom.
The county resolution, issued on Wednesday, stated that the “recent and continued crackdowns on hijab or religious clothing in other countries like India and France are inconsistent with American values and the values of Snohomish County,” Mukilteo Beacon reported.
“American Muslims in Snohomish County, like all other residents, should have the freedom to make personal choices about their clothing and religious garb, including the choice to wear or not wear a hijab.”
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In addition to hijab, the resolution added that Snohomish County welcomes and supports those residents, who choose to wear religious head coverings, whether those are Muslim hijabs, Sikh turbans, Jewish kippahs, Catholic habits or other modes of religious head coverings.
The decision by Snohomish County Council followed a similar one passed by the Mukilteo City Council in April. Championing the decision, Mukilteo City Councilmember Ritz Khan praised the new resolution for respecting people’s religious rights.
“I’m very happy,” Khan said. “They should not be banning religious garb. … I hope people listen.”
Islam sees hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not just a religious symbol displaying one’s affiliations.
There aren’t precise numbers on how many Muslims live in Washington.
Pew Research Center estimated it was less than 1 percent of the state’s population in 2014 (less than roughly 70,000). However, the research firm Dinar Standard estimated 80,000-100,000 around the same time.
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