Coast Guard Accused of Discrimination

NEW YORK — A civil liberties group accused the Coast Guard Tuesday of discrimination because it forbids religious head coverings in photographs submitted by those seeking merchant marine licenses.

The lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union says the Coast Guard began enforcing the regulation after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The group brought the claim on behalf of Khalid Hakim, a Muslim who has served in the merchant marine while working for private shipping companies since 1973.

Before September 2001, he regularly received licenses after submitting photographs in which he wore his religious hat, called a kufi, the lawsuit said. After Sept. 11, though, the Coast Guard said he would have to remove the hat to get a license, the suit said.

The lack of a license left him unable to work as a merchant marine, the NYCLU said.

Shortly before the lawsuit was brought, the Coast Guard without explanation issued a new license to Hakim, the NYCLU said.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and an order requiring the Coast Guard to change its practices.

A government spokeswoman had no comment.

Workers such as Hakim are not members of the military but are required to obtain merchant marine licenses to work on commercial ships that transport cargo in U.S. waters.