On March 25, 2024, US Justice Department (DOJ) challenged the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) on its denial of religious accommodations for correctional officers of various faiths, including Sikhs and Muslims, who wear facial hair as an expression of their faith.
![Left to Right: Jagtar Singh Johal, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam [USCIRF Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) prisoners] | File Photos](https://sikhsiyasatnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Jagtar-Singh-Johal-Umar-Khalid-and-Sharjeel-Imam-USCIRF-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-FoRB-prisoners.jpg)
