Community Advisory: CAIR Shares Guidance on New U.S. Passport Hijab Photo RequirementsSeptember 30, 202512:14 pmThe Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released guidance for the American Muslim community regarding how to respond to new, more invasive demands that the U.S. Department of State has made to applicants who wear an Islamic headscarf, or hijab, in photographs submitted with their applications.READ: Understanding the Trump Administration’s Updated Passport Photo Head Covering GuidanceThe guidance summarizes what is in the updated letters and provides applicants sample language for responding and ensuring their sincerely-held religious beliefs are upheld.In its new document explaining the headwear regulations, CAIR recommends community members to respond to letters from the State Department regarding their religious head covering as follows:“To Whom It May Concern: “I write in response to the State Department’s request for an explanation regarding my passport application photo, in which I am wearing a hijab. A hijab is a religiously inspired hair scarf worn by Muslim women that traditionally covers the hair, neck and ears. I have continuously worn a hijab in public for [INSERT TIME] to fulfill what I consider a duty to God. Similar to Catholic nuns and orthodox Jewish women, I sincerely believe, as stated in the Quran, that the head covering must be worn and must not be removed in public. This common practice of Islam falls within the religious accommodation that the State Department regularly grants passport applicants. I believe taking a photograph without a hijab would infringe on my sincerely held religious beliefs and therefore severely burden my religious exercise. “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”In May, CAIR released “Travel and Free Speech Guidance Under the Trump Administration” due to continued concerns about travel and free speech issues. Following requests from the public, CAIR added answers to the question: “What device precautions can I take before I travel?” Beloud