Washington: Sikhs and Muslims in Alabama have won the battle over the US State's new rule prohibiting them from wearing turbans or headscarves while being photographed for driver's licences, a move hailed by the communities as a "victory for religious freedom".

Responding to a vigorous campaign and a threat to file a class-action lawsuit launched by the communities, the State decided to change the policy on Friday (Feb 20, 2004). The new policy would come into affect from today (Feb 23, 2004)

The new policy lays down that turbans and headscarves are acceptable for religions beliefs and medical reasons.

Sikh men and Muslim women whose request for a driving license had been turned down in recent weeks because of their refusal to take off the headscarves and turbans while being photographed, hailed the decision as a "victory for religious freedom for everyone in this country".

The new policy requires that the face be visible from top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin and from the hairline on one side to the hairline on the other side.

"The change would maintain the State's goal of being able to identify a person from the driver's license photo while being respectful of people's religious beliefs and traditions," Troy King, the Governor's legal advisor was quoted by a local daily as saying.

The State Department of Public Safety had issued the new driver's rules last March, but license offices didn't start enforcing it until recently. Two weeks ago, more than 50 Sikhs, Muslims and others protested the change.