FORT HOOD, Texas -- The Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage has appealed a military judge's order to have his beard forcibly shaved before his murder trial.

Maj. Nidal Hasan's defense attorneys filed two appeals with the Army Court of Criminal Appeals this week. They say the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act allows Hasan to keep his beard during trial.

Hasan says he grew a beard because his Muslim faith requires it.

The government has until Sept. 28 to file a response. The appeals court has postponed Hasan's murder trial until further notice.

After the court rules, further appeals could be made to the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Hasan faces the death penalty if convicted in the attack that killed 13 on the Texas Army post.