Oklahoma Lets Muslims Cover Heads for ID Cards

NewMax ^ | 03/05/2003 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[xrp]

Here's the forehead-slapper of the day: Oklahoma has decided to allow Muslim women to wear scarves while being photographed for green cards or license photos.

And get this: The decree comes from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety [sic]!

Council on American-Islamic Relations admitted today that complaints from Muslims prompted the change.

In a letter to Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, the pandering bureaucrats said: "A head covering will be permitted, if the head covering does not obscure a full front view of the face, display any: logo; insignia, symbol, or regalia; word or words; letter, number, or character, or graphic design." So it's OK to hide part of the head.

The new guidelines will appear as a statutory change in Oklahoma Senate Bill 704, written by Republican state Sen. Owen Laughlin.

In a letter requested by CAIR, INS Residence and Status Branch Director Pearl Chang wrote: "Our policy does permit men and women who are required by their religious beliefs to cover their head and ears and to submit photos that do not conform to requirements of an uncovered head and visible right ear.

"The person must remain clearly identifiable from the photograph and should include a brief statement along with that photo explaining why it does not meet (the usual) requirements."

CAIR Board Member Mujeeb Cheema, an Oklahoma resident, said: "We appreciate the fact that Muslim women will not have to violate their religious beliefs when obtaining an Oklahoma driver's license or a green card. We hope that other states and government agencies will follow suit in providing explicit policy guidelines allowing religious attire of all faiths in official photographs."

A similar decision in Florida last year sparked outrage and disgust.

Oklahoma residents, be sure to tell your lawmakers and bureaucrats what you think of them. Or don't come crying to us when Osama bin Laden gives his ugly sister a one-way ticket to Tulsa.

[Puppage]

Oklahoma has decided to allow Muslim women to wear scarves while being photographed for green cards or license photos

Then, WHY even bother? WHY NOT JUST TAKE A PICTURE OF A FREAK'N TOWEL?

[Sacajaweau]

As long as we can see their face!!!!!!!!

[AppyPappy]

It cannot obscure the face. I guess anyone else can wear one as well.

[sheik yerbouty]

Is this for real? Who is runnung Oklahoma?

[CindyDawg]

Ok. You guys need to start wearing yalls ski masks now when you re-new

[Puppage]

As long as we can see their face!!!!!!!!

Or, better yet....the whites of their eyes.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Right, Secretary Ridge, this is the woman we're looking for. We believe she's carrying a suitcase nuclear weapon in the trunk of her car.

[Puppage]

I figured that, but just try wearing a hat when they take your drivers license picture. Ain't gunna happen.

[bethelgrad]

they might as well take a pic of my hairy white dahshhole

[joesnuffy]

Homie land security...

[OK]

Discrimination, discrimination.

If they do this, they should do away with pictures altogether.

What happened to equal rights?

[Bikers4Bush]

Well then I guess I can wear sunglasses and a bandana over my face.

[xrp]

I would think that wearing a face covering scarf would be pretty dangerous if you're driving and can't take advantage of peripheral vision. This being said, driving is a privilege and not a right, if these people have a religious conviction about utilizing proper safety, then they can take the bus or hitchhike.

[iron tongue]

I wonder of I can wear muh John Deere hat.

[xrp]

[Bobby777]

The person must remain clearly identifiable from the photograph



just an Okie from Muskogee I imagine ... [/sarcasm]

Islamic Jihad in America

[grobdriver]

"A head covering will be permitted, if the head covering does not obscure a full front view of the face

Ummm... color me stupid, but wouldn't a "full front view of the face" require the face not be covered? Just allows the head to be covered?
Are we sure they did cave on this?

[tractorman]

I suppose this means that the Ku Klux Klan can wear their bedsheets for their photos.

Or how about a brown paper bag over my head because I can be Pastor Fuzz of the Church of What's Happening Now.

[MineralMan]

"Then, WHY even bother? WHY NOT JUST TAKE A PICTURE OF A FREAK'N TOWEL?"

Perhaps you did not see the part where the face had to be "fully visible."