(RNS) — More Muslim women across the United States are turning to the courts to challenge prison and police policies that force them to remove their hijabs for booking photos, arguing the practice violates their religious freedom and leaves them exposed to lasting harm.

In the last two months, at least five such cases have been filed or settled.

Attorneys say the lawsuits do not reflect a new problem so much as a new willingness to fight. A growing track record of successful cases from Minnesota to New York City has emboldened Muslim women to come forward about their experiences.

“A lot of Muslim women realized, ‘Oh, this is something I can complain about. I felt like it violated my rights.…