Tuesday, January 20, 2015

High Court Lets Muslim Prisoner Have a Beard; Says Ark. Prison Officials Violated Federal Law

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously today (January 20, 2015) that Arkansas must accommodate a Muslim prisoner's request to grow a beard for religious purposes, according to the Washington Post website.

Justice Samuel Alito -- writing for the court -- said Arkansas prison officials violated a federal law passed to protect religious practices from policies set by state and local officials.

The challenge was brought by Gregory Houston Holt, who is serving a life sentence for slitting the throat of a former girlfriend and stabbing her in the chest.

Holt is also known as Abdul Maalik Muhammad. He told the court that the Muslim faith requires him to grow a beard.

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