Acknowledging that the issue was a "pretty close call," a magistrate judge on Wednesday said he will recommend that a Muslim inmate be required to shave his beard despite the inmate's religious objections.

At a hearing that lasted nearly three hours, inmate Gregory Holt said he has been a Muslim for nine years and believes the Koran instructs Muslims to "keep the mustaches short and the beard as it is." His lawsuit claims a state Department of Correction policy prohibiting inmates from growing a beard of any length violates his right to practice his religion.

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