Darn. I've misled you. The hijab, which I've also called a veil, covers the hair only, not the face. I agree that a photo of someone where only their eyes show isn't very useful for identification purposes. However, Munazza and Sumaiya wear scarves which hide their hair, but show their faces, including forehead and chin. Some of the scarves are quite elaborate, most are beautiful.
I wonder if I misunderstood the news report I'd heard. I'd forgotten about things like the chadur and the burka, which cover the features. However, I do know that the passport people forbid wearing a hat or other head-gear for the photo id.
The thing that shocked me most was the security guard's refusal to allow Sumaiya's cousin to remove her veil in private. Insisting on a public place was, well, shocking. It's like insisting that I take off my blouse and bra right there on the concourse. (I'm immodest enough and have a twisted enough sense of humor that I'd do it quite cheerfully, and in such a way as to make the security guard blush tomato-red. However, I'm unusual in that regard.) It's not just insensitive, it's a violation of her freedom of religion and freedom of expression and arghh---I don't think I can count the ways. It's just plain wrong.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2003-09-10 06:44 am (UTC)I wonder if I misunderstood the news report I'd heard. I'd forgotten about things like the chadur and the burka, which cover the features. However, I do know that the passport people forbid wearing a hat or other head-gear for the photo id.
The thing that shocked me most was the security guard's refusal to allow Sumaiya's cousin to remove her veil in private. Insisting on a public place was, well, shocking. It's like insisting that I take off my blouse and bra right there on the concourse. (I'm immodest enough and have a twisted enough sense of humor that I'd do it quite cheerfully, and in such a way as to make the security guard blush tomato-red. However, I'm unusual in that regard.) It's not just insensitive, it's a violation of her freedom of religion and freedom of expression and arghh---I don't think I can count the ways. It's just plain wrong.