Refusing to Step Forward

A man of the Muslim faith applied to his draft board to be classified as a conscientious objector, citing his religious teachings. After a hearing and an FBI inquiry, a hearing officer recommended that the claim be granted. The Department of Justice, however, advised the draft appeal board to deny it, arguing that he objected only to certain wars, that his objections were political and racial rather than religious, and that he had not shown sincerity. The appeal board denied the claim without giving any reasons. He then refused to submit to induction and was convicted. The defence argued the classification was unlawful, and the government later conceded that two of the Justice Department's three grounds were invalid.