I just don't like women wearing head hijab headscarves to hide themselves - too mysterious - your thoughts?

Question

They should NOT be able to obtain a driver's license with no picture on it because of their hijab. It would be IMPOSSIBLE to catch criminals if everyone wore this in public. What do you think?


http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20070709/tod-britain-court-islam-6058bda.html

LONDON (AFP) - A female Muslim juror has been arrested in Britain after allegedly listening to an MP3 player under her hijab headscarf during a murder trial, police said Monday.

The woman in her early 20s was spotted by a fellow juror listening to music as she was meant to be helping try the case of a pensioner accused of bludgeoning his wife to death after 50 years of marriage.

She could now be charged with contempt of court and, if convicted, may be punished with an indefinite jail sentence and an unlimited fine.

Answer 1

Personally I think forcing a woman to cover herself hiding her face belongs in the 7th century and has no place in the here and now.

The dark ages were called the dark ages for a reason.

Whenever I see a woman covered up I feel like telling her that it's OK not to wear that here in America because here women are free and it is a crime for our husbands to kill us.

Did you know that men are blowing themselves up in the middle east while disguising themselves as women?
Because Muslim women cannot be searched while wearing a burqa so it is the perfect disguise for suicide bombers who want to kill themselves along with many innocents all for the glory of Allah.

But I truly think they need to be liberated like the rest of us.
I mean where are the womens rights activists on this issue?
Why aren't they speaking out against women who are American and are made to hide themselves from public view?

And if they insist on covering themselves when they want a drivers license or are taking tests in School or boarding a plane or any other activity which requires identification then they should be required to show who they are instead of hiding behind a veil.
And if they refuse then they should be denied whatever it is they seek.

It's as simple as that.

Answer 2

I was going to ask the same question. I am not muslim but my husband is and I have several that the ladies in his family have given me and some that I picked up myself while I was there. I don't know why I would think that wearing them in Jordan and not being muslim would be any different than wearing them here. I guess because there it was normal to see just about all the ladies wearing hijab and I just was one in the crowd. Here I would stand out like a sore thumb. Oh the joys of a small town! I mostly have what they call Princess Hijab (in Jordan) - the 2 piece stretchy tub like ones. I call them beginner hijab. I haven't gotten down the knack for tying the scarf yet and I'm a danger to myself with pins. I just love how I feel when I wear them. From the 1st time my sister in law showed me how to wear one it just felt comfortable and the only word I can think of is right. I usually wear them when I am at home. I also have some beautiful Jibabs that I wear all the time. I get some funny looks but most people just think I am "just a little different".

Answer 3

I am amazed they have not yet figured out they are here. I don't have a problem with the scarf as long as it is not over the face.
The ones in the Burkas need to be shown the old Shirley McClain movie were she points out to a Japanese Exec's wife that she does not have to dress like a Geisha here or walk behind him.
The other great power play on video was the comedian Gallagher in a Texas show. He asked the audience who was getting some tonite. Every guy raised his arm. Then he asked the Ladies. 1 arm went up. He waived his arms and said " Any questions about who is in charge?"
Reeducation TV??? Will it work???

Answer 4

Well...I guess you wouldn't like my Grandmother either...She was a Polish immigrant way back when...

In her traditions....women did not go out without a Babushka on their heads.

Anyone, and I mean ANYONE...can do the same thing...come on...this is not just a Muslim doing this...this is a young woman....I've seen plenty of 20-somethings with just as little respect as the woman in your story.

So is life....we are a country of diversity and freedoms. Don't change the Constitution for a miserable few.

And by the way...I don't have a picture on my license and I'm a naturally born US Citizen!

Answer 5

People have their own customs and traditions. Headscarves are just but one of them. There is nothing strange in that. Every person have their personal view on things that could either be positive or negative. Put yourself in the middle of a corporate meeting in T-shirt, jeans and snickers while all the other people in the room are in dark-suits and necktie. Imagine the awed look in their faces when they stare at you.
You will get the same suspicious look from everyone when you walk around fully clothed in a nudist beach.

That's always the case when someone dresses up differently than the rest.

Answer 6

Hello,

Are you sure you don't mea a burka? I know lots of women in hijabs and can recognize them ok.
In the west people have the freedom to wear what they want from a micro mini skirt to scarves or hijabs. I prefer to mind my business about how people dress be it for fashion or religious purposes. Their lives and their decisions on that do not affect me.

I would certainly agree with you that if a woman refuses to take off her Burka for documents like passports or driver's licences, they should be sent home. The photo could be taken in a private room as they usually are with her husband present. She does not, thereafter have to show the face on her licence or passport to anyone except the authorities.
If they are exempted from photos in future like a group of our Hutterites in Alberta were in a lower court (under appeal) then it is the fault of our politically correct liberal lawyers; not the Islamic women.

Regards,

Michael Kelly

Answer 7

I know many people who used long hair to hide headphones in places they weren't supposed to be listening to music. It is really easy actually. I don't see how this one incident has anything to do with anything.

As for people wearing head gear in public. If they want to wear head to to coverings in 100 degree weather all the more power to them. And, I will not only proclaim that it is there right to wear the head scarves but that it is your right to hate the fact that they wear the head scarves. That is the great thing about the US and one of the things that both sides seem to want to eliminate (though the groups they want to take those rights from vary). Your feelings are your own and may only possibly cause illegal and discriminatory actions. We need to quit prosecuting on maybes.

As for catching criminals, I doubt it is any more or less difficult to find where someone lives, or to lift their fingerprints if they are wearing a head scarf. And it is still pretty easy to conceal ones identity with a hat and a shave.

Answer 8

most people won't use a religious symbol or dress for something so rude and immature.

I think they should have their lisence with their photo on it. why would it help to have a picture without the hijab if that's what they wear.
most people don't wear hijabs. some have used disguises, but if we attack hijabs we are going against the 1st amendment and them must prohibt large sun-glasses, certain make-ups, wigs, and anything else that can change one's appearance.

I don't think its mysterious. I don't believe that by looking at someone's face you can tell what they are thinking or if they are lying. another judge threw out a case because the women wouldn't remove her hijab. despite scientific research he believed seeing her face would help him know if she is lying or not.

Answer 9

I agree with Neenie~! This is America, Land of the Free! You (we hate the Muslims, lock them all up and throw away the key) people can't have it both ways! We either are allowed to practice religion as we please, regardless of who doesn't like us, or freedom of religion doesn't work!
Granted the young woman should not have been listening to a tape player, but did you stop to think maybe she didn't understand the process she was involved in!
A lot of young people today, do not know or understand our judicial system! ( Some times I don't either)
Yes, I am one of those don't hate them because their different! liberals! Maybe one of these days the rest of you haters, will learn some tolerance for people who don't fit the mold of what you want them to!

Answer 10

What makes you think that if a woman wears a hijab she's automatically a possible criminal that needs to be caught?

Look, let me try to put this in more familiar terminology. You're a Christian, right? Well, good for you. However, I think it's safe to say that some "Christians" take things a little too far by... oh for example... bombing an abortion clinic. Killing a man in his ninetieth trimester doesn't really strike me as an efficient way of stopping abortion on the grounds that some people think its murder. Also, ask any active member of the KKK if they believe they're a Christian and they'll offer up a resounding yes. As a matter of fact, they believe the lynching and the acts of violence they commit is done in the name of God. Does this mean anyone who wears a cross around their neck is a potential racist or a mad bomber?

What you're afraid of... and I'm afraid of as well... are Islamic extremists. They have very little to do with the Muslim faith... about as much to do with it as the Klan has to do with Christianity or what a bomber has to do with a loving Christ. That's what we're talking about. Al Queda is the Klan, gone medieval and global. It couldn't have less to do with Islamic men and women of faith of whom there are millions upon millions. Muslims defend this country in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, police and fire departments.

What's Islamic extremism? Its strict adherence to a particular interpretation of 7th century Islamic law as practiced by the prophet Mohammed, and when I say "strict adherence," I'm not kidding around. Men are forced to pray, wear their beards a certain length. Among my favorites is there's only one acceptable cheer at a soccer match: "Allah-uh-Akbar"--"God is great." If your guys are getting creamed, then you're on your own. Things are a lot less comical for women, who aren't allowed to attend school or have jobs. They're not allowed to be unaccompanied, and oftentimes get publicly stoned to death for crimes like not wearing a veil. I don't have to tell you they don't need to shout at a soccer match because they're never going to go to one. So what bothers them about us? Well, the variety of cheers alone coming from the cheap seats at Yankees Stadium when they're playing the Red Sox is enough for a jihad, to say nothing of street corners lined church next to synagogue, next to mosque, newspapers that can print anything they want, women who can do anything they want including taking a rocket ship to outer space, vote, and play soccer. This is a plural society. That means we accept more than one idea. It offends them.

So why in the hell would you want to destroy that by not accepting one idea because it bothers you? Wouldn't that in effect be the defeat to the terrorists you keep accusing us liberals of wanting?

Also, I agree this woman should be charged with contempt of court. What she did was disrespectful and inexcusable. However, she's not the only person to do this and her hijab had nothing to do with this besides being a good way to hide her headphones. I've heard of tried and true Americans playing video games, sending text messages, falling asleep and being intoxicated during jury duty. When you offer up the option of a "trial by your peers" you're going to get some whack-a-doos in the courtroom. Don't single out the ones who dress differently than you.