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Detroit, Michigan (AHN)- Ginnah Muhammad, 42, is a devout Muslim, so as such, she feels she was forced to choose between her small claims court case and her religion, Friday.

Judge Paul Paruk, in Hamtramck District Court, told Muhammad she had to take off her niqab; a scarf and veil, which covers her face and head except for her eyes, or he would dismiss her case. The judge said he needed to see her face so he could judge her truthfulness when she testified.

Paruk told the Detroit Free press he offered to let Muhammad, who was born in the United States and converted to Islam at the age of 10, wear her niqab in court, except when she testified. "I felt I was trying to accommodate her as best I could," Judge Paruk said.

Paruk said that as a fact finder, he has to see the face of a person testifying.

Judges have leeway on how to run their courtroom, in Michigan, and there have been no rule specifications regarding religious attire.

"My job in the courtroom is to make a determination as to the veracity of somebody's claim," the judge said. "As part of that you need to identify the witness and you need to look at the witness and watch how they testify."

Muhammad had gone to small claims court to contest a rental car company charging her $2,750 to repair a vehicle she had leased after thieves broke into it.

"I just feel so sad," Muhammad said. "I feel that the court is there for justice for us. I don't feel that the court recognized me as a person that needed justice. I feel I can't trust the court."

Metro Detroit has one of this country's largest Muslim populations.