Re: Banning the Burqa and the niqab

Submitted by Nate (United States), Aug 9, 2007 at 14:49

I don't think that in the USA, the Burqa and the Niqab can be legally banned (with the exception of having one's photograph taken for a driver's license, state identification card, passport photo, mugshot, etc.). Also, if someone was to serve on a jury, I'm not sure (for security reasons) if the Burqa would pass inspection.

If you start banning religious clothing, this opens the door to banning various religious garments which other groups wear . For example, Chassidim and other Orthodox Jews wear large broad brimmed black hats, streimels, tight white socks, gartels, and black coats. Also, Siks wear thick turbans. The Amish also wear distinctive religious garb.

As long as people are not violating the law, it would be difficult to enforce such regulations. This would mean a new version of the Taliban clothes police, but in reverse!

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