[ChotooMotoo]

Sikhs object to screening policy for head coverings at U.S. airports

By Neil MacFarquhar Published: August 30, 2007

WASHINGTON: A new U.S. policy that subjects travelers who wear any type of head covering to possible additional screening at airport checkpoints has prompted vociferous protests from Sikh organizations, who say they are being singled out for ethnic profiling.

Muslim women who veil their hair are also expressing concern that the change - particularly because further screening is at the discretion of each screener - will single out Muslims.

"The federal government has equated our most precious article of faith with terrorism," said Amardeep Singh, the executive director of the Sikh Coalition, an advocacy group for Sikhs, whose faith dictates that men wear turbans, though some women do as well. "To send a message that the turban is dangerous sends the wrong message to society."

The Transportation Security Administration, which adopted and is enforcing the policy, said that it was aimed not just at turbans but at any headgear and that it was one of the periodic adjustments made to address changing threats. It addresses nonmetallic threats including some explosives.

The change allows for screeners to pat down anyone who is wearing a hat or other head covering, even if the person clears a metal detector.

Today in Americas
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The change was part of several adjustments made on Aug. 4, including allowing passengers to carry cigarette lighters and small quantities of bottled breast milk. But the change regarding headgear was not publicized and came to light only after many Sikh passengers underwent additional screenings.

The fact that the policy was put into effect without consulting Sikhs also rankled the Sikh Coalition, which puts the number of Sikhs in the United States at 280,000, part of about 21 million in the world. Kudwa said the Transportation Security Administration was now discussing the policy with Sikh leaders.

Neither the transportation agency nor the Department of Homeland Security would say whether the change was prompted by a specific threat.

Sikh advocates say passengers should be searched randomly if the intent is to look for nonmetallic explosives.

Although Sikhism has nothing to do with Islam, its members often suffer from anti-Muslim sentiment because their turbans lend them a superficial resemblance to men like the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran and Osama bin Laden. They say law enforcement officers often do not know the difference.

Being stopped at airport checkpoints has also caused concern among Muslim women who veil their hair, prompting some to wear other attire, like a baseball cap, to avoid added scrutiny.

Muslim women said their main concern was the lack of a uniform code.

"There is the problem of abuse depending on who is in charge of a particular airport and if that individual has any bias toward Muslims," said Maha ElGenaidi, president of the Islamic Networks Group.

Sikhs object to screening policy for head coverings at U.S. airports - International Herald Tribune

Okay.... that just...

[nooni]

alhumdililah, ive been to some major airports in the US and France and ive never had a problem with hjiab. they have always just let me right through without even "checking" whats underneath it. keep a happy face!

[shadha]

An injustice indeed.


shadha-

[A_Muminah]

As-salamu 'Alaykum,

In France, they had some guy try to check under my 'Abayah but my brother pulled him over and gave him a dirty look. So they got a lady check everything on me.

At Dullas(Washington D.C), I got searched by a lady and the nice big machines they got that blows 'air' on you.

In Bahrain, I was searched 3 times. Dont exactly know why.

In Dubai, they didnt care about searching me.

In Afghanistan, I think they forgot to search me because our flight attendents decided to throw our bags out the airplane and so the security was busy with that.

In Pakistan, we showed our blue US passports and they let us cut everyone else in line and go free.

In New York, nearly got stripped search.

Ermmm, I cant think of any other places.

Was-Salaamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh

[nooni]

Originally Posted by A_Muminah

At Dullas(Washington D.C), I got searched by a lady and the nice big machines they got that blows 'air' on you.

ahhhh i love those machines

[arabookworm]

In the Pittsburgh airport, they searched my grandma on the way out and on the way in, and in Egypt they decided that while my then six month old brother had a rather putrid diaper was the perfect time to search us.