New Jersey: Muslim Woman Told To Remove
Niqab In Mall
14 May 2012By Juan Cole
Wakeelah Salaam had been shopping by herself for less
than ten minutes at the Bridegwater Commons Mall when
a security guard approached her and told her to remove
her traditional Muslim face covering.
"He said, ‘ma'am, I'm telling you, you cannot wear
that mask in here. He came as close to me as though he
was going to kiss me, and then he made the hand
gesture like he was going to lift it up for me,"
Salaam said.
Salaam was born in the United States, and was raised
Muslim. She has always worn a long dress, or hijab,
and a headscarf. But when she was in her mid-20s, she
decided to start wearing the niqab, or face covering,
that shows only her eyes when she's in public.
She's worn the niqab in court, and even to visit a
relative in prison, so Salaam says she was shocked
when she was approached twice by the same mall
security guard Saturday. She eventually felt so
uncomfortable that she called police.
"I felt threatened, like I couldn't walk and shop in
the mall without this man asking me to take off my
niqab," Salaam added.
After speaking with police, Salaam decided to leave
Bridgewater Commons, which she had visited before with
no problems. After Eyewitness News got involved, an
executive with the company that runs Bridgewater
Commons' security called Salaam to say he's sorry.
"We sincerely apologize", said Donald Lantz, "Our
security guard has received additional training in
cultural diversity. We respect her right to dress
according to her religious beliefs and she is welcome
in our mall anytime."
Salaam says she appreciates the apology, but next time
she needs to go shopping, she will probably choose
another mall.
American Muslims Working to Protect
Equal Rights of Minorities in Middle East
Muslim American's continue with their persistent and
consistent efforts at highlighting the critical
importance of promoting and protecting "equal rights"
for minorities in the Middle East.
Central to the struggles and reforms emerging across
the Middle East from the Arab Spring are questions of
how to ensure the protection of freedom, tolerance,
and economic sustainability for all people,
particularly minority groups.
In an effort to develop an international strategy for
social stability and economic development in the
Middle East, the State of Qatar's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and the UCLA Center for Middle East
Development gathered community leaders and activists
from across the globe this week in Doha for a
conference focusing on enriching the future of the
Middle East. The conference was held in conjunction
with the 12th Annual Doha Forum.
ISNA Director of Community Outreach Mohamed Elsanousi
participated in a workshop focusing on the "Future of
Religious Minorities in the Region." Elsanousi's
participation in the workshop was a part of ISNA's
ongoing work with Muslim leaders worldwide to promote
Islamic standards and develop protocols that protect
religious freedom, particularly for religious
minorities, in Muslim-majority countries.
"In Islam, we are taught that all people are equal and
should not be discriminated against in any way based
on their religion," stated Elsanousi. "It is our
responsibility as Muslims to promote programs and
policies that protect freedom of religion for all
people in the emerging democracies across the Arab
Spring to ensure the repression of the old regimes is
never allowed to take root again."
The workshop highlighted examples from Islamic
history, such as the covenant of Medina, which thrived
under a system of law that guaranteed equal rights for
all people in a Muslim majority community.
The workshop also echoed many of the strategies shared
by ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid and other leaders
during last week's ISNA co-sponsored symposium on the
Rights of Religious Minorities in Islam.
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