Sikhs can wear their turbans in drivers' license photos, France's highest administrative body ruled on Dec. 5, overturning an earlier denial of license to a Sikh who refused to take off his turban for the photo, according to an Associated Press report. The report said the ruling does not apply to identity or residence cards.

The Council of State, hearing the case brought by Shingara Mann Singh, said officials of his region, the Val d'Oise, could not cite a 1999 Interior Ministry order in refusing the license, the report said. The report also quoted the Council as saying only the Transport Ministry had the right to define the conditions ... and determine the documents to be furnished. The council ordered that Singh be given his license within a month.

The ruling could open the way for others ––– including Muslims wearing head scarves ––– to get drivers' licenses that show them with their heads covered, AP reported. Last year conspicuous religious apparel, such as Muslim head scarves or Sikh turbans, was banned from public schools.

In a Dec. 7 posting on their website, United Sikhs ––– a community organization ––– announced that the French Ministry of Transports, Equipment, Tourism and Seas have issued a circular banning the wearing of turbans for drivers' license photographs.

The circular effectively overturns the Dec. 5 Conseil d'Etat decision "that said it was illegal to prevent a Sikh from wearing a turban for his driving license for his photograph," the posting on United Sikhs' website said.

The posting also said, "Consequently, Shingara Mann Singh, the appellant of the case, will not get his driving license within 30 days...."

Shingara Mann Singh and Kudrat Singh, both directors of United Sikhs France, together with the French Action Committee for the Turban, were scheduled to meet with Patrice Spinosi, the High Court Counsel and his co-Counsel F. Jacquot to decide on the way forward, the posting said.