Pastafarian Challenges Queensland Over Colander Licence Photo
A Pastafarian in rural Queensland is embroiled in a dispute with the state government over his driver's licence photo, which shows him wearing a colander on his head. Syaban Shadikillah, 28, insists the image is a valid expression of his religious beliefs and refuses to retake it, arguing it's a matter of freedom of religion and expression.
Licence Issued in Error, Government Demands Replacement
The Queensland government has informed Shadikillah that his licence was issued in error and must be surrendered for a new one without the colander. A spokesperson for the department of customer services stated that operational guidelines were not followed, resulting in a non-compliant photo due to human error. They emphasised that a replacement licence requires a compliant photograph.
Shadikillah, who moved to Australia from Indonesia in late 2024, obtained the licence in February after being photographed at a government office in Mareeba. He claims that after his Facebook post about the licence went viral, a government official contacted him last week, asserting that the colander is not legitimate religious headgear.
Pastafarianism and Religious Expression
Shadikillah converted to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, or Pastafarianism, in 2021 while studying in Indonesia. This movement began in 2005 as a protest against intelligent design in schools, with followers often wearing colanders as religious attire, similar to hijabs or Sikh turbans. Shadikillah argues that Pastafarians deserve recognition and respect like any other religion, and the law should apply equally to all.
He stated, Which is absurd – they don't have the authority to decide what religious headwear is appropriate or not. It's basically a violation of freedom of expression in Australia, right? That's the way I see it. Shadikillah added that he moved to Australia for greater freedom of expression, contrasting it with Indonesia, where he claims authorities have a warrant for his arrest for blasphemy.
Historical Precedents and Legal Context
This case follows other instances where Pastafarians have sought government-issued ID with colander headgear:
- In 2011, an Austrian man wore a pasta strainer for his driver's licence photo, though police later said it was approved only because his face was visible.
- In 2015, a Melbourne man, Benjamin Ady, received a licence with a colander photo after convincing VicRoads officials.
Queensland's website permits headgear in licence photos only for religious purposes, but the state and others have ruled that Pastafarianism does not qualify as a religion for this purpose. Shadikillah and fellow Pastafarians advocate for their core values of freedom of expression and non-coercion, seeking equal treatment under the law.
