A federal court has ruled that the Marine Corps cannot deny entry to Sikhs because of their unshorn beards and hair.
The Marine Corps told three Sikh men that they could serve only if they shaved before going through basic training. Most Sikh men don't cut their hair as a sign of their religious commitment. But to serve in the military satisfies another aspect of their faith.
"They believe, as part of their religious duty, in defending the rights of others," lawyer Eric Baxter, who represents the men, told NPR. "[Sikhs] have served for a long time in militaries around the world, including in the United States, with all of their articles of faith in place."
The District of Columbia's federal appeals court decided that the three are entitled to serve. The Sikh Coalition is campaigning to allow Sikhs to practice their religious customs while serving in the U.S. military. More than 100 members of Congress and 27 retired generals support the group's cause.
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