Pastafarian Challenges Queensland Over Colander Driver's Licence Photo
A Pastafarian in rural Queensland is embroiled in a dispute with state authorities over his driver's licence photo, which features him wearing a colander on his head. Syaban Shadikillah, 28, insists the image is a valid expression of his religious beliefs and has vowed to resist demands to surrender the licence.
The Queensland government has declared the licence was issued in error and requires Shadikillah to obtain a new one with a compliant photo. However, Shadikillah argues this infringes on his freedom of religion and expression, asserting that the colander is legitimate religious headgear akin to a hijab or Sikh turban.
Background and Religious Conversion
Shadikillah converted from Islam to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, or Pastafarianism, in 2021 while studying at university in Indonesia. He cited growing doubts about his upbringing as motivation for the change. Pastafarianism originated in 2005 with an open letter by US physics graduate Bobby Henderson, protesting the teaching of intelligent design in Kansas schools.
The movement humorously posits that a flying spaghetti monster created the universe, with adherents often wearing colanders as part of their religious expression. Initially, the faith emphasised pirate regalia, but this has since expanded to include kitchen strainers, which Pastafarians view as symbolic headwear.
Licence Issuance and Government Response
In February, Shadikillah was issued his Queensland driver's licence after being photographed wearing the colander at a government customer service office in Mareeba, west of Cairns. The situation gained attention when his Facebook post showcasing the licence went viral, prompting contact from a government official last week.
The official informed him that the colander does not qualify as legitimate religious headgear, a stance Shadikillah disputes. Which is absurd – they don't have the authority to decide what religious headwear is appropriate or not, he stated, emphasising that this represents a violation of freedom of expression in Australia.
Historical Context and Legal Precedents
Shadikillah is not the first Pastafarian to seek government-issued ID with colander headgear. In 2011, an Austrian man wore a pasta strainer for his driver's licence photo, though authorities later clarified approval was based on facial visibility, not religious recognition. Similarly, in 2015, a Melbourne man, Benjamin Ady, successfully obtained a licence with a colander photo after persuading VicRoads Carlton staff.
Queensland's official guidelines permit headgear in licence photos only for religious purposes, but the state, along with others, has ruled that Pastafarianism does not meet the criteria for such exemptions. Shadikillah and fellow Pastafarians advocate for equal recognition and respect under the law, highlighting their core values of freedom of expression and non-coercion.
Personal Motivations and Broader Implications
Shadikillah moved to Australia in late 2024, seeking greater freedom of expression compared to Indonesia, where he claims authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest on blasphemy charges against Islam. He views the licence issue as a matter of principle, stressing that most Pastafarians do not believe in the supernatural but value the movement's emphasis on personal liberty.
A spokesperson for Queensland's department of customer services acknowledged that operational policy guidelines were not followed, resulting in a non-compliant photo due to human error. They confirmed that a new photograph must be taken to ensure compliance before a replacement licence is issued.
This case underscores ongoing debates about religious freedom, state authority, and the boundaries of expression in modern society, with Shadikillah determined to challenge the ruling and uphold his rights.
