Ha, it’s never smart to decide that just because someone looks weird, you won’t serve him or her. Insta-trouble, just add water.
For those of you who don’t know what a niqab is, it’s very simple. You know what a hijab and jilbab are, right? Robe and head scarf? Well, when you add a niqab to the mix, we Muslim women look like ninjas. :)
Here’s a better illustration.
In Denmark (home of the terribly incendiary contest re: cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (S), who, contrary to somewhat popular belief, Muslims do NOT worship), a woman got on a bus with her husband and children wearing a niqab.
The driver ordered her off, saying he wasn’t going to drive women with veils on since he didn’t drive people with masks on. He refused to continue driving until the woman got off. The bus stood at the stop for about 10-15 minutes.
Thank goodness for Good Samaritans, though. In this case, those armed with righteous indignation. The other passengers became upset and one of them even phoned Arriva, the bus company, got a hold of the head of the company, and informed him of what was going on.
The boss issued a proverbial b!tch slap and the driver finally agreed to keep driving the bus and took the woman and her family home.
Arriva has said they are not proud of this occurrence, which they blame on the individual driver’s ignorance and say that the attitudes expressed are not representative of the company. They had a serious talk with the driver and told him his actions were unacceptable.
Ugh, this makes me sick. Yes, sure, give women wearing hijabs and niqabs weird looks. That’s your prerogative because, obviously, they’re different and we’re all just a little uncomfortable with difference. I’ve gotten more weird looks than I could ever count, and so what? You shake it off because the people giving you those looks don’t know any better.
But don’t treat them like second-class citizens. Or sub-citizens.
Eeshk.
