Dec 19th, 2008
Posted by Selene Kaye, Women's Rights Project at 12:27am	Human Rights, Religion & Belief, Women's Rights

A Call to Action for Women of All Beliefs

Lisa Valentine's arrest on Tuesday is yet another example of the discrimination that Muslim women who wear hijab (headscarves) face on a daily basis. Valentine was told that she could not enter the courthouse in Douglasville, Georgia, unless she removed her hijab, and was jailed for contempt of court when she refused to do so. "I just felt stripped of my civil, my human rights," the AP reported Valentine saying. The ACLU of Georgia has expressed grave concern over policies that deny court access to Muslim women and followers of other faiths who wear religious headgear.

Muslim women and girls have been prohibited from wearing their headcoverings in a number of contexts. They have been fired from jobs, thrown off school sports teams, denied access to public places, and otherwise discriminated against because they wear hijab.

This isn't just a Muslim issue. This is also a women's rights and a human rights issue, because when Muslim women are denied the right to wear hijab, it's a statement that they are not free to choose how to express their beliefs. In a moving video we've just released, ACLU client, Jameelah Medina, spoke about her experience of being forced to remove her hijab in jail in San Bernardino County, California, and how it ignited her activism:

Please note that by playing this clip You Tube and Google will place a long-term cookie on your computer. Please see You Tube's privacy statement on their website and Google's privacy statement on theirs to learn more. To view the ACLU's privacy statement, click here

"How many times have we experienced discrimination or hate because we're a woman, because we're a Muslim woman…? But we don't speak up, we just accept it, and we say, 'Someone else will do it; someone else will stand up and they'll make a difference, then I'll join that fight.' …I look forward to working with and… inspiring other women: whatever the issue is in your communities, that you stand up and say, 'I'm going to be the one.'"

Jameelah gave this inspiring speech at a conference sponsored in November by the ACLU Human Rights Program entitled, "Keeping Your Faith in Post 9/11 America: Religious and Ethnic Discrimination and Human Rights," where advocates and members of the Muslim community gathered to discuss the various rights violations that Muslims have faced in recent years. Jameelah also blogged recently on Feministing about what wearing hijab means to her and why being forced to remove it was such a violation of her rights as a woman, generating quite a lively discussion.

To learn more about Muslim women's rights and other hijab cases the ACLU has handled, check out www.aclu.org/muslimwomen.

Permalink |	Human Rights, Religion & Belief, Women's Rights

1. liberal hater Says:
   Dec 19th, 2008 at 4:55pm

   Ahh, poor little muslim women. Bless their little terrorist, I mean tiny hearts.

   Who gives a goddamn about these third world refugees. When in America you act like a goddamn American. If you don't like it then go back to the rat whole that you and all of your Jew-hating, Christian hating kind crawled out of.

   I'm goddamn sick of people from the most intolerant religion on earth coming in to our country and telling us that were racist and intolerant.

   Go to hell all you left-wing liberals.

   Hey ACLU, you say you believe in freedom of speech. Well let's see if you live my goddamn post up or if you censor it.

2. Concerned Citizen Says:
   Dec 19th, 2008 at 7:28pm

   Terrible. It's bad enough when violations like these occur in school or office settings... but one would think that in a courthouse or a police station, of all places, there would be some general awareness of and respect for the law and human rights. Such ignorance! Anyone who works in law enforcement/criminal justice, etc. should be required to attend trainings on this stuff! Women like Lisa Valentine and Jameelah Medina are incredible for standing up the way they have, but they shouldn't have to. I was glad to hear about the seminarians from Emery who were protesting. We all should be. Its an outrage. Furthermore... what is headgear? Isn't that what wrestler's wear? And why aren't we allowed to wear it in court? What, exactly, is the practical purpose of that rule?

3. Anonymous Says:
   Dec 23rd, 2008 at 12:51am

   This woman had a blatant Disregard for our judicial system.
   Like so many other good Jihadist she is trying to hide behind her so called religion of peace.
   The A.C.L.U. should be ashamed of themselves.
   Why don't they come to the defense of someone like Ramos and Campeon or a great patriot like Cor.Gesani .
   You are not for America you disgusting pigs.

4. Atheist Says:
   Dec 27th, 2008 at 12:57am

   What is truly disgusting, Anonymous, is that hate mongers like you seem to think that you are representative of what it means to be an American. You obviously don't have a clue what it truly means.

   As for you, liberal hater, if acting like an American means acting like you, I am ashamed to be an American.

   I wonder how you hateful people, who are probably Christian, would feel if a Christian was told to remove a crucifix before entering a courthouse. And further, how you would feel if that person were then charged with contempt for not doing so.

   Before either of you espouse what it means to be an American, perhaps you should do a bit of studying. Read the Constitution, specifically the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. And once you have done so, if you still don't get it, then in my estimation, you are the ones who are unAmerican.

   You cannot see past your own self- indulged agenda to realize that your perception of being an American is corrupted by your hatred and ignorance.

5. traumaqueen Says:
   Dec 27th, 2008 at 10:32pm

   Wow. "liberal hater" and "anonymous" where does all of your anger come from? Dont you know that it is unamerican to deny others the right to practice their religion? How does it hurt you if Muslim women wear the hijab? Just because you don't like another persons religion doesn't mean that they should not be allowed to practice it- that is what makes America great. You two sound so bigoted, I wonder do either of you profess to be Christian? If so, you should be ashamed.

6. True American Says:
   Dec 30th, 2008 at 12:12am

   I don’t feel sorry for these muslim losers at all; rules are rules and they need to be followed regardless of who you are. For those of you that don’t like it, too bad, get out. When immigrants migrate to this country, they need to adapt to our way of life here in America and quit trying to change our customs and laws. When we don’t adapt to their customs and ways in this country and how they think life should be, we get accused of being intolerant and racist. If you don’t like this country and how we live, then leave and go back to the shit hole you came from and quit trying to change this country. That crap you muslim women wear on your head looks horrible and ugly.

   Why are some people in this nation catering and defending to the muslims who hate America and our way of life? Some people in this country need to wake up to what’s going on and quit being so naïve and stupid. Look what’s been going on in Europe the past several years.

   It’s the Islamic terrorists groups (muslims) that are responsible for most of the terrorism around the world including 9/11….those worthless bastards. They’re all burning in hell now along with the false prophet mohammad who is a nobody, a nothing and complete loser. Islam is not a religion of peace like some ignorant and uniformed people think, but a religion of complete hate and terror and these morons wonder why they have such a bad reputation. Down with Islam!!!!

   We need to preserve our great nation and way of life and the hell with what foreigners and immigrants think or say. I’m sick and tired of people migrating to this country and trying to get us to change and alter our ways and customs. We should export all the muslims and send them to their so called holy land of Mecca and keep them there.

7. Air Mail Says:
   Jan 3rd, 2009 at 9:36pm

   Funny, I do not remember the ACLU get upset about a Christian Woman getting fired from her job as a flight attendant for wearing a small Cross around her neck.

8. Well, apparently not a "Real American". Says:
   Jan 4th, 2009 at 1:55pm

   To "Liberal Hater," "Anonymous," and "True American":

   Have any of you EVER met a real Muslim? No, seriously, they are some of the most tolerant people on earth. Terrorists hijacked their religion, and now they have this horrible "crazed-extremist" reputation. I have never met a crazy extremist who was not a christian. Really, for all this talk about how they are "accusing" you of being intolerant and racist, they're RIGHT. If you were tolerant, you would change to help others fit into life here instead of attacking that which you clearly do not understand.

   And if we didn't change as new people came in and as times changed, we would still have slavery, women would not be allowed to own property, we would discriminate against Irish people, Native Americans, the Polish, Jewish people, Catholics, and Quakers.

   In almost certain likelihood this applies to you. Think about that.

9. Air Mail Says:
   Jan 4th, 2009 at 4:45pm

   Funny, the ACLU makes this a 'call to action' when a few years ago a Woman lost her job for wearing a small cross they didn't seem to care...

10. -Ed Says:
    Jan 4th, 2009 at 5:22pm

    Websters Dictionary defines Ignorance as a lack of knowledege, education, or awareness. So everyone of these Ignorant people making ignorant remarks offending this women need some education.

11. lokywoky Says:
    Jan 5th, 2009 at 2:06am

    True American,

    People from other countries (like yourself) are what this country is made up of. The only 'true Americans' are the indigenous people of the many tribes of what we mistakenly call Indians. You are just as much an immigrant as both these women because they were born here, and their parents were born here too.

    The Constitution says that people must be free to practice whatever religion they choose, or not to practice any at all. The hijab is a religious symbol, like a yarmulke, or a cross. Muslims are from all over the world, not just Saudi Arabia, and yes, there are lots of them here. By the way - did you know that Thomas Jefferson had a copy of the Quran in his library? He read it too. Probably knew a bit more about that religion than you do.

    So, thank your grandparents for immigrating to this country so you can be free to be just as hateful and bigoted as you like. Enjoy!

12. sabbry Says:
    Jan 6th, 2009 at 12:36am

    Out of respect for the law and the institution, you don't wear hats, scarves, etc. in the context of the courtroom. I've seen white trash defend themselves against state prosecutors on meth charges, and despite those charges, they had enough sense to dress up for court, which begs the question, why didn't this woman?

    These changing social mores, while not illegal, will not be tolerated, for the last virtues of a dying society are tolerance and apathy -- what will you do if I abdicate? Attend more anti-globalization concerts and pass out later that night on that on-again-off-again girlfriend's couch -- thereby doing nothing of consequence?

    You have a case in other public contexts, but not in the courtroom.

    (She wants to veil herself and disrespect the awesome gift of a jury of her peers? Fine. Why show up in person at all? We'll just go by the books and dole out the sentence via USPS mail with armed officers to deliver it.) -- More efficient! No need for watchdog groups, left or right!

    The ACLU doesn't give a **** about women's rights. Not in the abstract they don't. Which one of them can say, "Women, Muslim women have it harder in America than in (insert country guided by an oppressive, masochistic, theocracy here)."

    It's not about religion. It's about respect for institutions larger than any one life.

13. Tolerant but not stupid. Says:
    Jan 6th, 2009 at 2:52am

    The reason Islam is a bad religion.

    MUSLIM BELIEF

    This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is
    a well-known leader in prison ministry. The man who walks
    with God always gets to his destination. If you
    have a pulse you have a purpose.

    The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion
    per capita in the United States , especially in the
    minority races!!!

    Last month I attended my annual training session
    that's required for maintaining my state prison
    security clearance. During the training session there was a
    presentation by three speakers representing the Roman
    Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each
    of their beliefs.

    I was particularly interested in what the Islamic
    Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the
    basics of Islam, complete with a video.

    After the presentations, time was provided for
    questions and answers.

    When it was my turn, I directed my question to the
    Imam and asked: 'Please, correct me if I'm wrong,
    but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have
    declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of
    the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a
    command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in
    heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the
    definition of an infidel?' There was no disagreement with
    my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, 'Non-believers!'

    I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this
    straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to
    kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can
    have a place in heaven. Is that correct?'

    The expression on his face changed from one of
    authority and command to that of a little boy who had just
    been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.'

    He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'
    I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem
    trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics
    to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all
    Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a
    place in heaven!'

    The Imam was speechless!

    I continued, 'I also have problem with being your
    friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your
    followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question:
    Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to
    kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you
    because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there
    with me?'

    You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his
    head in shame. Needless to say, the organizers and/or
    promoters of the Diversification' training seminar
    were not happy with Rick's way of d e aling with the
    Islamic Imam , and exposing the truth about the
    Muslims' beliefs.

    In twenty year s there will be enough Muslim voters in
    the U.S. to elect the President! I think everyone in the
    U.S. should be required to read this, but with
    ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized,
    unless each of us send it on!
    This is your chance to make a difference...

    FOR GODS' SAKE! SEND THIS ON!

14. Christian Woman Says:
    Jan 6th, 2009 at 10:25am

    As a Christian it is so scary to see how hateful people can truly be. What makes this country great is that people are able to be free (at least now they are!) no matter who they are and where they come from and you if you support that than you don't have a right to be here. What does "acting like an american" mean? Every state, every city is different and no two people look alike. Inbrace that, respect that!

15. Steven Says:
    Jan 6th, 2009 at 11:09am

    For all of you scared we will lose our country to left wing radicals joing www.talesofcourage.com

16. America for Americans! Says:
    Jan 6th, 2009 at 11:50am

    The ACLU can got to hell, keep defending the people who want to see us dead! My god, this country needs to wake up and quite cattering to everyone else who isnt born here legally, oh we might offend someone then the ACLU will come and sue us! Lets all just roll over and take it up the @ss, thats what you want isnt it!

17. Jane Says:
    Jan 6th, 2009 at 12:25pm

    When in Rome, do as the Romans; when in America, do as the Americans. Most court rules require no headdress ... and that means NO headdress. Period, end of discussion. The ACLU only picked this case up because she's a Muslim. Give me a break .. tell her to follow the rules and she'll be just fine.

18. Scared American Says:
    Jan 6th, 2009 at 2:09pm

    Wow... I've never visited this site before. I used to think I was a feminist and progressive do what I want, old people are square from the ME generation and then God Blessed me with children & common sense. ACLU & Liberal Media are the handbasket by which America is headed to Hell.

    When conservatists speak up we're considered ignorant or bigots or anti-American. Shame on you!

    I thank God everyday that we live in a nation where freedome is possible, but with that freedome, comes responsibility and common sense to issues of security. I do not have a problem with women of Muslim faith wearing their hijab, however if you've ever worked security in a prison, county jail or otherwise the small and leathel weapons can be hidden in headgear, bras etc.

    I take it ACLU didn't have any loved ones killed in 9/11.

    Hey are you guys helping the lady who got fired for refusing to say "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" over the phone at work? She said it went against her Christian beliefs to use a generic term and she preferred to use CHRISTMAS in her greeting. She was terminated.

    Face it this nation is divided.

19. Sarah Says:
    Jan 6th, 2009 at 3:50pm

    Any belief system that includes hate and deaths of other groups should be very carefully watched and frankly moderated. That includes religions that have as their guiding books a large number of words (why is even one sentence acceptable) that preach hate and violence towards other groups. How are they any different from the Nazis? Or white supremacists? Because they also include something about God? You're kidding right? Who was watching the Nazis? Frankly I bet you that's not what the founding members of this country meant by "religion". Why doesnt the ACLU protect White Supremacists then? Isnt that a religion?

20. Dick Says:
    Jan 7th, 2009 at 3:46pm

    There seem to be inconsistencies on both sides here. I have no source to cite, but it is improbable in the extreme (can anyone provide a more credible case report than Tolerant but not stupid's wannabe chain letter rant?) that the "no headgear" rule is enforced against, let's say Catholic nuns in habits or Jewish lawyers wearing yarmulkas. It is also likely that the hate mongers on this thread would be outraged by the former, and maybe the latter if they are not Christians of the cross burning variety.

    On the other hand, where does the ACLU stand on the issue of school uniforms or banning certain items of clothing or colors as gang control measures? That looks generically to be same thing as banning religious garb in courtrooms.

21. Juono123 Says:
    Jan 8th, 2009 at 1:52am

    F this ARAB and the ACLU. ACLU complains about these terrosist having their rights violated while detained or descriminated, but what about the Americans who are beheaded by these same criminals? These same DESERT jockeys are killing American soldiers with no regard to their safety. Again, FU ACLU!!!

22. Big D. Says:
    Jan 8th, 2009 at 3:24pm

    This is a comment.

23. Steve UK Says:
    Jan 10th, 2009 at 7:53pm

    Makes my blood boil because we have this cultral marxist mindset ruining our country also and that is their goal and they will come to know our wrath civil liberty groups are no longer fit for porpos other than to fracture white christian heritage at the behest of their judaised sponsor!!!!!!!!!!

24. Koran Says:
    Jan 13th, 2009 at 1:42am

    If we don't do something about it in 20 years USA will be a muslim country. No more boose, girls, bars, TV just the Koran and hope that if we blew ourself up in a middle of the crowd we get our 72 hors in the heaven. Fuck them !!!

25. Arkansasan Says:
    Jan 13th, 2009 at 6:54pm

    Wow. What hate! If Jesus were here he would certainly have harsh words for quite a few of you! The USA was founded on religious freedom. That freedom is for all religion or none at all. As for this woman, there was no need for a man to be there and he should have been excluded the same as if she were being strip searched.

    As for you haters and fear mongers, get some education and understanding of the world. Your ignorance is showing and it is embarrassing to us real Americans!

26. Someone Says:
    Jan 13th, 2009 at 8:07pm

    Guys ... please chill out!! Internet fights are pretty pointless they never end... Why? because people get ignorant on the internet and.. arguing with an ignorant person no matter which side he is on its pointless! (opps I bet I commited that mistake)

27. Really? Says:
    Jan 13th, 2009 at 9:13pm

    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    This is very obviously a 1st Amendment issue that is why I included it. Everyone here has the right to say the hateful thing that have been said, but when you get down to what is truly American, the guide that we use is the Constitution. This woman has every right to wear her hijab. She should be sworn to testify on the Koran. And the 10 Commandments have no place in our courtrooms. This is America. I know that some people don't know but we are NOT a christian nation. I hope that all of these hateful people go and get out their Bible and see what Jesus says about hate. What I remember from Sunday School is that he wasn't a fan of it.

28. Truth Hurtz Says:
    Jan 14th, 2009 at 4:09pm

    Funny how all these so called self imposed liberal nazi do-gooders who seem to have all the answers on how us "Americans" should live our lives, what we drive, what we eat are also the same clowns who tell everyone else how we should "Not judge other religions" and "Be nice to everyone" etc, etc? Now who's being the "Fascists"? Now granted these were the same angry losers and nomads in high school but notice how the ACLU is always coming after Christians and trying to denounce Western culture and religions? There is a book that America needs to wake up and read called "The Secret Jihad" on how terrorists and Arabs are using dirtbags like the ACLU and dumb liberals to manipulate their own causes to take over Western Culture by the use of PC tactics...guess what? It's working and every fart sniffing liberal commie who thinks now they are America's do gooder "P.C. Police" are ruining this country and ironically taking away their own rights as well as yours but they are actually too stupid to realize their own hypocracy. Don't say you haven't been warned, oh wait a minute you'll be deemed a racist and a hate monger if you speak out against Obama and the ACLU now...how ironic?

29. Reason Says:
    Jan 15th, 2009 at 8:44am

    I love it when people come on this website and troll non sensense and hate, it always get's my blood warm and wakes me up in the morning for a nice intellectual, or lack thereof, debate! What people need are a healthy dose of statistics to put in context the risk and consequence of muslims, terrorists, and all of the other fear mongering subjects our government uses to justify the oppression of the majority of the world, either economic, political, or militaristic. Don't you people get it, there aren't liberals and conservatives, or americans and immigrants, or any other devisive characteristics, there are only rich and poor, PERIOD. All of these arguments are pretexts for dividing the masses into controllable compartments to further the objectives of less than 1% of the worlds elite. Who do you really have to fear? Terrorists or CEOs? Look at the data over the last half century and you will see which one has had the most impact on America and its ideals.

30. dumasses Says:
    Jan 16th, 2009 at 12:02am

    u americans r sooooo idiot n dumasses cuz u white folks aint no sometin bout been muslim. so i think u better shut ur mouth up n go to hell for d rest of ur life. wat do u say, u deserve it. everyone dats messin wit muslims n blacks can kiss ma ass cuz dats wat u white, ugly, ediot, dumass, and asshole americans r always n mostly racist to. u americans r sooo weak u dont got no strenght. so go n find other ugly asshole white folks like u guys to mess round wit, aight.

31. dontknow Says:
    Jan 16th, 2009 at 12:13am

    Tolerant but not stupid: this is for u. why the heck do u think ur better than others? just because you're not muslim doesn't mean you have to hate muslims because you don't even know who they are besides judging them by the way they're dressed. don't think that muslims are bad just because they don't show off their beauty in fron of public unlike americans. you cant just judge someone by the way they're dressed when you don't even know their attitude. i actually think that muslims have more respect then christians or jews. try to some muslim friends and then you'll realize that they're actually nicer than you think!!! thnx

32. dontknow Says:
    Jan 16th, 2009 at 12:14am

    islam is not a bad religion, FYI. UR SUCH AN IDIOT AND ASSHOLE

33. The Right path Says:
    Jan 17th, 2009 at 2:17am

    just for ur own information, i don't think is a good idea to juge other peoples religions. if u want to talk face to face, come on then i'm a fuck u man. u all white asses, why the hell u guys fuckin muslims n black? u ugly asses should try that or ur self befo u dod that. try to go to africa n africans will beat u white folks asses, u get me!! so before u guys start messing with muslims or blacks, think of the consequences u will have to face in the future, for ur own sake. u guys dont got no strength. all u white folks got is a big mouth, blubbering out things that dont make sence. do u know y u dont find enough white jokes? its cuz been white is bad enough. so go get a life, u get me dumasses. n stop talkin bout people's differences.

34. Warrior Says:
    Jan 18th, 2009 at 1:02pm

    Don't give a squat about the muslim's whinning about being insulted of their religion because of her dang bit scarf.
    This is america, our tradition, our beliefs, our freedom. Don't like it here, then kiss off elsewhere.

35. WOW Says:
    Jan 21st, 2009 at 1:44am

    I am amused. I spent $40,000 going to a Christian college. I have read the entirety of the Bible something like 10 times and some of it much more. And I chose to not be a Christian anymore. Why? Because of the hatred, ignorance, and hypocrisy of people who say Jesus loves everyone so let's go kill some people who don't agree with us. Only about 0.5% of Islamic peoples have any violent leanings at all. Most of them would be happy to see us if we weren't imposing our lifestyles on them. And the word jihad does not mean "holy war". That is a construction of the media to further inflame stupid people. The word jihad refers to a task set before someone during which they may have to defend themselves. But I'm not surprised that a number of you don't know that--several of you can barely write in English, let alone read and comprehend Arabic.

36. Mary from Ohio Says:
    Jan 21st, 2009 at 12:36pm

    Muslim women do not get treated as equals by their OWN PEOPLE! Why can't they obey our laws and our justice system and take the stupid headgear off. The headgear makes you a second class human anyway.

37. roald Says:
    Jan 22nd, 2009 at 2:23pm

    Mary - Removal of clothing required by religious beliefs has no basis in state or federal law.

    Why does obeying religious law make you a second class citizen. Does your (presumed) church attendance make you second class?

38. roald Says:
    Jan 22nd, 2009 at 2:35pm

    Truth Hurtz..."Funny how all these so called self imposed liberal nazi do-gooders who seem to have all the answers on how us “Americans” should live our lives, what we drive, what we eat are also the same clowns who tell everyone else how we should “Not judge other religions” and “Be nice to everyone” etc, etc? Now who’s being the “Fascists”?"

    Where do we start. Us "self imposed nazi do-gooders", whatever that means, share a weird belief that the US Constitution is the basis of our laws.

    Some of us are guilty trying to run your lives by telling you to conserve the resources we and our future generations must share or improving your life and reducing the drag on our health care system through smart lifestyle choices. For that I apologize. If you wish to kill or impoverish yourselves and take us with you, go ahead.

    What all of us do believe, however, is that you do not have the right to imprison us for not following your unconstitutional customs.

    Stop telling us to leave the greatest country in the world. It started great and became better because we did not allow the tyranny of the majority to walk over the rights guaranteed in our Constitution.

39. Can't stand Ignorance Says:
    Jan 22nd, 2009 at 3:52pm

    I can't get over how many ignorant people there are in this country.
    More people have died because of Christianity than any other religion. There are some people who have used the Islamic religion to fuel their extremist and "terrorist" views and objectives, but this doesn't represent nearly any of the actual population of these people.
    Most Christians are horribly hypocritical and ignorant about their own religion and I guess it's no surprise why they have no tolerance of others. You are believing in a religion that was completely fabricated and voted on to control people. Jesus didn't want his apostles to tell people what he did. He would be horribly upset with the Christians of this country and the world.

    This is America. just because there are a great number of Christians here doesn't mean that we all HAVE TO accept and act like Christians. You make it sound like whoever the majority is calls the shots and the others have to abide by it. You fear that there will be more islamic people than Christians so then we will all have to act like Islamics.. You make it out to be a race or a competition. IF that's the case then get used to being Islamic because there will be more Islamic people than Christians eventually.

    I haven't met an Islamic person who was hateful or wanted to suicide bomb something. Go read up on 9/11 (which most haven't done since October 2001) and you'll see that in fact most of the "terrorists" were never even on the planes and most are still alive to this day. They were merely picked off of flight training lists because they were islamic or "Arab looking". Islamic people aren't bad and in fact I find more Christians that are mean and intolerable of even other Christians.

    I'm surprised that Barrack Obama won the election because of how many racist, ignorant people there are in this country. In my eyes All religions are useless and most of them all speak of the same god/gods/prophets. Jesus and/or people with this powers/traits were in over 25 religions that were started way before Christianity and many more afterwards. They are all about controlling people, making people unable to unite with others, making people discriminate others, and not allowing people to CRITICALLY THINK ON THEIR OWN.

    I am saddened by the comments that were left on this page and realize even more why so many people COULD hate our country and why I am not proud to associate myself with other Americans.

40. Nancy from Arkansas Says:
    Jan 22nd, 2009 at 7:37pm

    To "True American" - where did you come up with that name? You are not a true American for if you were you would understand the words "liberty and justice for all". You would understand our Constitution. It is people like you, yes all of you who had negative comments, who can not accept people for who they are NOT their religious belifs, NOT the color of their skin, NOT where they came from. You should be ashamed to call yourself "true American". A TRUE AMERICAN does not judge people on the color of their skin, their religious belief, where they came from or where they live. A TRUE AMERICAN accepts and respects all these things and more. We do not judge the entire race or religion because of a select few who have commited crimes. We are all excersizing our Constitutional right by commenting here and being ALLOWED to, so why not respect others rights?

41. Adam from Austin Says:
    Jan 23rd, 2009 at 9:01am

    I'm just amazed and shocked about the hatred here. I mean where is Jesus love? Where is "Love your enemies", "Turn the other cheek"? Or you just pay lip-service to those words and don't really believe them?

42. Assholes, and full of Crap! Says:
    Jan 23rd, 2009 at 4:11pm

    America shud be ashamed of the huge number of ignorents it has.Tfo :S

43. Daniel Says:
    Jan 26th, 2009 at 11:55pm

    If you were truly a Christian, you wouldn't write "goddamn" because you shall not call His name in vain. You are plain stupid, that is all.

44. Paen Says:
    Jan 27th, 2009 at 2:33pm

    I wonder if the bigots here are aware that Bin Laden and friends also have computers and can use these comments to convince people that the west deserves what it gets.

45. Open Minded Individual Says:
    Jan 27th, 2009 at 11:16pm

    This is clearly a violation of Constitutional Rights. As an American born Muslim, I am deeply hurt by the hatred spewed by some individuals on this site.

    JUST BECAUSE I AM A MUSLIM WOMAN DOES NOT MEAN I AM A TERRORIST. JUST BECAUSE I AM A MUSLIM DOES NOT MEAN I HATE JEWS. JUST BECAUSE I AM A MUSLIM DOES NOT MEAN THAT I HATE CHRISTIANS. Oh by the way, I am not treated as a second class individual. But, I do believe that we are treated as such by a lot of ignorant people here in the US.

    I am a hardworking person with many ambitions. I believe I am a kind soul, and I do not wear the hijab because I don't want to. When I do visit my relatives in a certain Muslim country, they also treat me with respect--probably more so than they do here.

    I would abide by the laws in the judicial system so long as my rights are not violated and there are practical reasons for denying my right to express my religion. Therefore, I think that this woman may have done something wrong to be put in jail, and she needs to follow the laws.

    Otherwise, the argument about her not assimilating to American traditions honestly sounds illegitimate. If people can walk around with pants half way down their butt, this woman should be allowed to cover her head in accordance with religious traditions.

46. aissa(jusus) Says:
    Jan 29th, 2009 at 11:22am

    we muslims believe in all god messangers;really i don't inderstand why you hate our beloved prophet,by the way my name is aissa(jusus)and our religion oblige us to love your prophet.I invite all western people to read about the islamic cevilisation.

47. roald Says:
    Jan 30th, 2009 at 1:32pm

    Air Mail - I looked for the event you mentioned. The only one I could find was about a non-US airline flying into Saudi Arabia. I have a few questions for you...
    - Did the flight attendant ask the ACLU for help?
    - Is the American Civil Liberties Union equipped and funded to deal with non-US organizations?
    - What if British Air's actions were intended to protect the flight attendant from the intolerant Saudis.
    - Should we set our standards at the level of the most intolerant nations?

48. Ribkaw Says:
    Feb 1st, 2009 at 11:54am

    As a devoted citizen of the Nation of Yahweh, founded by the Honorable Yahweh Ben Yahweh, I face discrimination daily because of my belief. Thank you Sister for standing up against religious persecution and women throughout the globe. By one many...

    In the Spirit of OneNess...Shalom

49. Umm Ismael Says:
    Feb 3rd, 2009 at 11:36am

    To those of you who think all Muslims in America come from 3rd world countries, Hello. Most of us are American by birth and have converted. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the US and the world. We are part of the Judeo-Christian tradition and our religion teaches peace, tolerance and cooperation.
    Haters are part of the problem- if it wasn't for labeling us, they would be labeling Jews or another unfortunate group. By the way- unless you are Native American- you are all from somewhere else. If you don't like freedom of religion, Why don't you go back to your own countries? -America stands for religious freedom! Thank Allah for the ACLU and their fair-minded good works.

50. bleep Says:
    Feb 3rd, 2009 at 5:24pm

    As long as the headscarf didn't interfere with the court's need to identify her, what's the problem? I don't have a problem with stupid religious sensibilities, but only if there's a legitimate reason for it. Otherwise you're just TRYING to be offensive.

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