Indiana store manager kicks out Muslim woman over head scarf — then wishes her ‘a blessed day’

[DonViejo]

A Muslim woman wearing a niqab was ordered to leave an Indiana discount store by a manager who feared she was a robber.

Sarah Zawjahtul AbdAllah Salaam, who wears the Islamic head scarf covering her mouth and nose, recorded video of the incident at a Family Dollar store in Gary. The video, which she posted Monday evening on her Facebook page, shows the store manager berating Salaam for wearing the religious headwear inside the discount shop.

“Yes, ma’am, if you can’t remove that from your face I need you to leave the store,” the manager says. Salaam reminds the woman that her headscarf, which reveals her eyes, is a religious garment — but the manager grows only more firm in her demand.

“You have to understand, too, that this is a high-crime area where we get robbed a lot,” the manager says. “You need to remove that from your face or remove yourself from the store. Remove that from your face or remove yourself from the store, please. I’m the manager, and I’m telling you to leave my store. Have a blessed day. My name is Janie, and have a blessed day.”

more + video
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/08/indiana-store-manager-kicks-out-muslim-woman-over-head-scarf-then-wishes-her-a-blessed-day/

[Warpy]

1. I've seen a lot of full body veils here in my neighborhood

but no niqabs as yet. I don't know what the reaction here would be but I'm betting there would be a lot of pity.

I have known Saudi women who defended it as a way to shield their skin from damage from the desert sun. I guess the women here who are newly arrived and still wear more than the hijab have discovered sunscreen.

[davidn3600]

4. If it's such great protection from the sun, why don't men wear hijabs or niqabs?

I mean I've seen a Muslim family this one time where the husband is wearing speedos and the wife is covered up in 90 degree heat. I am awestruck how diehard feminists think that's perfectly acceptable.

[Warpy]

7. Because men aren't supposed to be decorative, I guess

As for your oblique insult, "diehard feminists" are dedicated to the proposition that no man has a right to tell any woman what to wear. Do reread my post and note the practice was defended by Saudi WOMEN. I suggest you try to argue over it with some of them.

[davidn3600]

9. Sometimes the oppressed don't realize they are oppressed

It's part of the social programming.

[Act_of_Reparation]

15. I've always been skeptical of that.

First and foremost because I think it is difficult to get an honest answer out of people when religious police you can't identify by sight are tooling around the neighborhood looking for reasons to arrest people. Second, because those women who do defend the niqab usually do so within the parameters of sexist traditional Islamic gender roles.

I've always found the most insidious quality of systemic privilege is its ability to infect all social strata. The privileged will be blind to their privilege, and the non-privileged will defend the status quo because they've been indoctrinated to believe it is the normative state of things.

[Warpy]

41. There were no religious police in a hospital room in Boston

The women were alone, their family member not understanding English and asleep. Or they were hanging out in the nurses' lounge, drinking bad coffee while I ate my lunch. Places varied but no religious police were ever in evidence in a US hospital.

So surprise! It turns out some people will make choices we don't approve of and for reasons we might not have considered.

[Act_of_Reparation]

60. I didn't say I disapproved of the decision.

Women can wear whatever they want for whatever reason they choose, as far as I'm concerned. I'm simply not sure it is really a choice under many circumstances.

[Eleanors38]

23. Actually, if you bonefish in Fla/Carib, better wear long sleeves, hat, veils, whatever -- or bake.

[Warpy]

42. First thing I learned in NM was to cover up

because the sun at this altitude is super intense when it comes through so much less of this thin, arid stuff we call air.

[Quantess]

33. Because it's ALWAYS the women's fault.

Also: which diehard feminists have you discussed this with? None in real life, maybe? Curious.

The general sense is that the left wants to increase awareness of "ethnocentricity" and that "women are human", which seems reasonable. That these two ideals clash is not inconsistent.

But for me, some cultures are horribly sexist and women shouldn't put up with this shit.

[davidn3600]

39. I'm not blaming the women, I'm blaming the religion

Which is apparently a big no-no in many progressive circles when it comes to Islam. Progressives seem willing to issue a pass to that religion.

Im sorry, but cultural relativism only goes so far for me. It gets to a point where it just becomes stupid. It's obvious to anyone with a brain that this is oppression and control. And Islam is a heavily patriarchal religion, certainly just as much as Christianity, but it never gets criticized for that from the left.

[Quantess]

43. What I meant by "It's ALWAYS the WOMENS' FAULT"

was that muslim women always get the worst shit, just because they are the ones who have cultural expectations to cover their slutty selves. Muslim males go around dressed western, they wear whatever the fuck they want to, and nobody calls them out on their disrespectful behavior toward women.

Which means that muslim males go around looking "western" and nobody knows whether they are in ISIS or if they are totally cool.

The women who get shit (beaten? or shamed) at home for not covering up that slutty hair are the ones who attract the worst islamophobia, unfortunately.

Agreed?

[davidn3600]

56. Women get the brunt of it, sure

But once again, the religion and the culture are ultimately to blame.

A lot of people, especially in the western world, see a woman wearing head scarfs and body covering attire and view that as oppression. People are disgusted not at that woman, but disgusted at what she's wearing symbolizes.

[Quantess]

58. Do you see that woman as a person?

Pretty fucked up situation she is in.

Once again, in which way do you and I disagree?

[True Dough]

2. But if that woman was just carrying a gun instead of wearing a niqab

no problem!!!

[PatSeg]

3. True

As long she she was white.

[True Dough]

27. Good point!

[Humanist_Activist]

14. I doubt that, not sure about the Family Dollars in Indiana, but the ones around here have a big...

fat "No Firearms" sign on the front door.

[Ilsa]

5. The store manager was rude and stupid and suspicious.

That being said, I prefer to see people's facial features when interacting with them. I need facial cues in trying to read emotional state, or annoyance, etc. I have no issues with muslim women's modesty, but I think facial features are a point of respectful, normal human interactions.

[Humanist_Activist]

13. She may just be following corporate or store policy...

I'm not aware of any store that doesn't require you to reveal your face to be allowed in to do business.

[Ilsa]

48. That's a good point. NT

[procon]

35. Good thing you're not visually impaired or blind, yeah?

Not even gonna ask how you cope with people who have had Botox, or suffer from certain medical conditions, have facial injuries, and people who have had strokes with facial paralysis.

[Ilsa]

47. Yes, and I have a little trouble with facial recognition,

Especially in situations where I see someone out of context. The voices tend to help me place them, but I might not always interpret their tone of voice well unless it is just cheerful.

[Ron Obvious]

6. Sorry, I agree with the store manager

This woman was to all intents fully masked. Would a bank allow her in?

As long as this rule is also enforced against people wearing balaclavas or motorcycle helmets.

[procon]

34. What about surgical and oxygen masks, or bandages, and no eye patches, right?

The authoritarian store manager's nasty little dig, "Have a blessed day," points to plain old racism and religious bigotry. There is no justification to strip off everything that might be on or around someone's face, not matter what it is, from a scarf, to sunglasses, dental appliances, face paint or fancy make up, under the excuse that they might be would be robbers.

By the same nonsensical rational, why not ban purses, backpacks, shopping bags, baby bags, coats, loose clothing, clothing with pockets, hats, big hairdos, wigs, strollers, etc., as they might be used to hide weapons or burglary tools.

Maybe she could strip everyone before entry and do a cavity search just to be sure.

[Quantess]

38. "Have a blessed day" is wiccan and it pisses off christians as well.

Also, what race is muslim? Is muslim a race, now?

I am definitely opposed to fashion policing. Covering one's hair consists of a fashion choice, pretty much. It's a harmless religious trapping of which women overwhelmingly bear the brunt. Muslim males wear whatever the fuck they feel like wearing, since it's ALWAYS the woman's fault.

Women are slutty by nature unless they cover themselves head to toe, even covering their sluttty eyes!!! Woman's fault if she got raped for exposing her slutty eyes!!!!

But yeah, covering ones hair is not a security issue. That, I can agree with.

[procon]

44. As an atheist, I can attest to the fact that whenever that particular phrase is hurled at me,

it is used as a vindictive, snarling epithet by a good christian. Wiccans I have known have said, “blessed be”, which is part of a beautiful ritual prayer.

And, least some forget, religious head coverings are not limited to Muslims.

[Quantess]

51. I dislike fashion police, as well!

Hair covering is no more or no less, fashion.

I personally think all religious head coverings are stupid, but it's not a big deal. I dislike fashion police!

Why is it though, that muslim males get to wear whatever the hell they want to wear and not get called "whores"?

[procon]

54. More importantly, it's their Constitutional right to religious freedom.

Why do some Orthodox Jewish men have sidelocks, or why some men of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches tonsure their hair? If you aren't one of the faithful, then just butt out, it's their religious belief and they have a Constitutional right to practice it as they see fit.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

61. It was the face covering that was the problem

not the hair covering.

Face coverings should be against the law.

If anyone wants to cover their hair, and wear a black sack from head to toe, that's their problem when it's ridiculously humid and 103 degrees here in Houston. When someone's face is covered, it's everyone's problem, unfortunately.

That store was in a high crime area, apparently. In my view, if something would be against the law in normal circumstances, it should be against the law even if the reason is religious. It's against the law to marry a 14 year old child, whether or not your crazy religion says it's ok.

[Humanist_Activist]

46. Why would you be wearing a surgical mask in a dollar store? Seriously...

if you have that much of a contagious disease, you shouldn't be out in public at all.

Oxygen usually isn't administered by a mask, but by nasal cannula, so there goes that argument.

If you have an eye patch, that's part of your identifying characteristics and wouldn't violate the policy(doesn't cover the face). Same for some of the other stuff you mentioned, though I have heard of stores that restrict the size of purses or bags you can carry in, along with restrictions on baggy clothes, particularly in warm weather.

[Ilsa]

49. Some people have to wear masks to keep from catching airborne

Diseases fron others. People on chemo, or anyone temporarily on immunosuppression drugs come to mind.

[Exilednight]

45. The rule doesn't have to be universally enforced to be legal. it's a form of

Discrimination. Just as you can't deny service based on skin color, nor can you deny service based on religious beliefs.

[bluestateguy]

8. Yeah, she needs to speak to a lawyer

and then the Justice Department.

Were not validating the bigoted store manager's paranoia.

[Humanist_Activist]

12. I don't think so, the CU I go to doesn't even allow you to wear sunglasses indoors...

anything used to hide the face is generally seen as violating store policies in many places.

[LanternWaste]

20. If she was in fact, violating store dress code then your point may be valid.

If she was in fact, violating store dress code then your point may be valid. So I'm sure you'll point to what particularly leads you to think this dollar store has the same security/dress code as your financial institution, yes?

[Humanist_Activist]

21. Most retail establishments don't allow customers to cover their face, its a safe assumption...

that this dollar store isn't any different.

[procon]

36. I've seen store signs, "No shoes, no shirt, no service", but I've never seen a

"No sunglasses" sign. If true -- and I doubt it -- how does that work? I have prescription sunglasses, is someone going to force me to remove them or throw me out? I'd have to go because I can't even see the floor without glasses. Blind folks wear dark glasses to protect their eyes... they'd get tossed out too? Here in California almost everyone wears sunglasses, and if they aren't covering your eyes, they might be perched on the tip of your nose or resting on your forehead, but they'd get kicked to the curb, right?

Doesn't seem like a good business model to kick out so many customers.

[Humanist_Activist]

40. CU means Credit Union, like a bank, they also don't allow baseball caps and other items that may...

interfere with being able to identify a person.

[procon]

50. Mine is a federal facility, my husband uses a different one, but we've never

experienced anything like you describe. I was there last Friday while shopping -- Big sunhat, sun parasol, oversized sunglasses, purple smear of sunscreen on my nose, giant purse, and long, voluminous sundress. Stopped in the security check cage, got passed through very politely by the guard and conducted my business without anyone demanding my identity beyond my bankcard.

[Humanist_Activist]

55. Its common practice at every financial institution here that handles cash...

retail stores are obviously less strict but do forbid people from wearing facial coverings.

[NutmegYankee]

32. No, it's a common policy in retail to require the face to be seen.

If for no other reason than to ensure the security camera logged that person. This has almost no chance of succeeding in court - it's a common sense safety precaution.

[Snotcicles]

10. How many would be robbers, would be recording? nt

[Humanist_Activist]

11. Most stores in my area don't allow face coverings that hide identity, and they put up special...

signs around halloween telling people to not wear masks in the store.

[WillowTree]

16. Aren't there some states that require the face to be uncovered for a driver's license picture?

I could swear I'd read that there are and that it's been held up in court.

And I can see the clerk's point, especially if they're located in a high crime area.

[Bonx]

28. I hope all of them. Otherwise, what's the use of the picture ?

[Quantess]

29. It should be in all states.

Women would much rather be able to go around showing their faces, their hair, their ankles, without being called WHORES or having their lives threatened! Muslim women get called whores for exposing their hair or their ankles in many muslim families. The sluts get "conveniently" murdered when they disobey.

The security issue is also important.

[CBGLuthier]

17. Why should he have to compromise his safety because of her antiquated cultural practices?

[Humanist_Activist]

18. Exactly, looking at the posts on Rawstory, its like none of them have ever worked retail...

in fact, most of them seem to look down on retail workers, elitist pieces of shit.

If, as a manager of a convenience store, someone came in with their face covered, two things, one, my hackles, as it were, are up, and I'm more suspicious, and two, I tell that person to remove whatever is covering their face, I don't care if its a niqab or not. If they refuse, they better leave or I'm calling the cops. Its a reasonable precaution.

[Initech]

19. Gotta love that religious freedom!

And that's perfectly OK by the standards of Mike Pence, the guy who could be our next vice president!

[Quantess]

25. "Have a blessed day" is wiccan.

But then, this ignoramus store owner assuredly lets the muslim's husband in, no problem, since muslim males wear whatever the fuck they feel like wearing.

[LeftyMom]

59. "Have a blessed day" is passive aggressive Christian for "go fuck yourself"

It's wiccan if a chick who looks like Stevie Nicks says it with an accent on the second e in blessed.

[Hortensis]

30. It's classic Bible Belt too.

I'm always being wished a blessed day here in Georgia. I always respond, thank you; oh, you too; or something like.

[Bonx]

22. I've got no problem with this, as long as it is the rule for everyone.

[Quantess]

24. Prohibiting hair-covering scarves is fashion-policing.

Lord knows (and I'm not religious) I dislike the fashion police.

Prohibiting the face-covering burqa is not only common sense in regards for everyone's safety, it also un-burdens women from shitty, sexist, cultural baggage that no woman EVER WANTED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

That said, anybody can cover their hair. No big deal.

Notice also: the muslims who face the most discrimination are the females!!! Musllim males get to dress as western as they feel like, because, hey, it's ALWAYS THE WOMAN'S FAULT and the woman ALWAYS pays the price! Muslim males wear whatever they feel like wearing, but many Muslim females get called whores if they show their hair or their ankles.

[whatthehey]

26. Reminds me of a brutal winter's eve when I walked into a 7-11

Without removing my full face ski mask (I was on foot from a few blocks away and it was about 20 below.). Now admittedly at the time I was a hulking weightlifter but even then I didn't get that reaction; just a kind of shocked gasp and a hand placed under the counter (no idea if it was for an alarm or a gun as I got the clue and rolled up my mask with an apology.)

[NutmegYankee]

31. This isn't religious discrimination - it's a reasonable policy for safety. NT.

[procon]

37. Oh god... nt

[NutmegYankee]

53. Never worked retail I take it?

I worked in retail during High School/College and had a few frightening experiences. It was always a policy of the company that masked people be immediately challenged and the police called as a precaution if the individual refused. It was vital to the company to ensure that the face was logged by the cameras, either for a violent event or shoplifting. It also gave others notice to take shelter if an individual didn't remove the face covering.

In the case at hand, we are talking about a total face covering except the eyes.

[spooky3]

52. The French (and others) also do not permit face covering except

Under limited circumstances, when in public.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_ban_on_face_covering

I do think this is a case where neither principle is clearly paramount--yes, there shouldn't be discrimination in public accommodation, but also, yes, there is a reasonable safety concern and owners of businesses have a legitimate interest in setting rules applied evenhandedly that protect themselves and other customers.

[Arazi]

57. Perfectly reasonable request. Security in a high crime area