Thread: Mass. College Bans Head Coverings That Block Face (UPDATE)

Massachusetts College Bans Head Coverings That Block Face

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

BOSTON — The alma mater of a Massachusetts terror plot suspect has banned students from wearing clothing that obscures the face, including face veils and burqas.

The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services announced the policy weeks after Muslim alumnus Tarek Mehanna — the son of a professor — was charged in October with plotting terror strikes. It went into effect Friday.

School spokesman Michael Ratty says it is unrelated to Mehanna's arrest and was part of an annual review. He says officials want everyone entering the school's Boston campus to be able to be identified.

Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations wants a religious exemption. He says Muslims who believe they must cover their faces should be allowed to.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582 ... ational%29

Good for them. I also believe that anyone in this country should be able to be visually identified without a covering anywhere on their faces. That goes for street protesters too.

Amazing that these groups are demanding special consideration at every turn. If these students don't like uncovering their faces, they can easily transfer to another college that allows it.
Personally, if I ran into a pharmacist in a burka, I would walk out and go to another place.

Massachusetts College Relaxes Ban on Head Coverings After Muslim Uproar

Thursday, January 07, 2010

BOSTON — A Massachusetts college that banned students from wearing head coverings that obscure the face has announced a religious exemption following criticism from Muslim groups.

The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences bans students from wearing clothing such as burqas and face veils, as well as ski masks and scarves.

The school amended the policy Thursday, saying those exempted on religious grounds will be required to remove any covering to verify their identity for security purposes.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations had asked federal officials to investigate, saying the policy would have "a disproportionate impact on the religious rights of Muslim employees."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582 ... ational%29