Lawyer refuses to cross examine fully clad Muslim woman. Guyana

For the first time, Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond was faced with a sensitive situation on Tuesday—a lawyer who refuses to cross examine a Muslim witness because the woman, Khairoon Ali, insists on wearing her Hijab (veil).

The lawyer in question is Huckumchand. He was at Court 10 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court; the Attorney-at-law insisted that he would not cross examine one of the witnesses because her Hijab (veil) prevents him from knowing for certain whom he is questioning. The lawyer contended that it is important for the court to see the expressions of the woman as well as her demeanor in full.

When the case returned to the court, with the advice of the DPP, the Magistrate took Mrs. Ali into her chambers in the company of a female officer, who verified that it was her via her passport and identification card. But this was not enough for the lawyer and he asked for the case to be sent to the Chief Justice for advice.
The lawyer stated, “Khairoon Ali, who is a Muslim, is throwing her religion in the face of the court.”

Mrs. Ali said that only the males in her immediate family are allowed to see her face. “The Hijab is a means of protection and a sign of modesty and my decision is an act of obedience to Allah.”

Ali had left his home at 5:15 am to visit the Kitty Masjid when he was suddenly attacked by the ferocious pit bull dogs. As a result of his cries for help, a neighbour, Aritha Scott, stood on her fence and threw buckets of water on the dogs in efforts to free him.
Whilst other neighbours assisted, the police were summoned and the defendant was arrested. When the allegation was put to him, Prashad, 37 of 49 Austin Street, Kitty, remained silent.