When a Religious Garment Ceases to be Religious…
Everyone agrees that there should be no limitations put in the way of any individual’s pursuit of his/her religion. The only time a limitation must be imposed, if at all, is when the pursuit of said religious practices interferes with the rights of others. As a devout Orthodox Jew, I applaud any woman dressing modestly, regardless of her religious beliefs. I, furthermore, oppose any attempt at curtailing someone’s right to don his or her religious symbols. But… I just read the following (H/T: Islam in Europe):
Over a period of four months six girls aged between 17 and 20 robbed fourteen elderly women in the Tensta, Rinkeby, Sundbyberg and Hässelby suburbs of Stockholm. On Friday four of the girls were jailed by Solna district court, reported Aftonbladet.
A 19 year old was given a two month prison sentence and further probation for robbery and falsification of documents. Three 17 year olds were sentenced to youth detention of between two years and two and a half years.
The other two girls were given suspended sentences.
During the attacks the girls hid their faces behind veils. In one incident, a 71 year old woman was pushed down a staircase after three of the girls snatched her handbag.
Prosecutor Viktor Carlberg said that he was largely satisfied with the verdict.
“It was serious and repeated crime,” he told Aftonbladet.
When religious garments are used as a disguise for criminal activity, as has happened in many places in Europe or as an escape plan (as happened in Pakistan’s siege of the Red Mosque, where the lead cleric sought to escape under the niqab as he hid among a group of women), then one is forced to ask if the niqab is indeed a religious duty. Several respected Islamic Imams say it is not!
For the sake of protecting the innocent (the foremost obligation of any government, whether local or national), the use of the of the niqab must be seriously curtailed. Muslim women already appear very modest by covering everything except the face. As I said above, not only have I no problem with that I think it is highly commendable… but to wear a garment to hide one’s identity while perpetrating a crime or to make a political statement makes a mockery of that woman’s (or disguised male’s!) purported religion. It also is an affront to the majority that do not follow that religion and their rights must be equally safeguarded, especially so when the use of the niqab is not, in the least bit, a religious obligation
Chaim
Crossposted at: Freedom's Cost
Labels: islamic fashions, muslim women, reported crime
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