February 12, 2010
Exclusive: Pity Party Time – Muslim Scholars Say Airport Body Scanners Violate Teachings of Islam
Pam Meister
A group of Muslim scholars says it supports airline safety, but it is "deeply concerned" about the use of airport scanners that show nude images of the human body.
“The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) emphasizes that a general and public use of such scanners is against the teachings of Islam, natural law and all religions and cultures that stand for decency and modesty,” the group said in a Feb. 10 statement posted at Islam Online.
"It is a violation of clear Islamic teachings that men or women be seen naked by other men and women," FCNA explained. The group noted that Islam emphasizes modesty, considering it part of the faith. "The Qur'an has commanded the believers, both men and women, to cover their private parts" and to be modest in their dress.
While exceptions can be made in cases of "extreme necessity," FCNA indicated that passenger body scans do not rise to that level.
Airport scanners that show nude images go against my sense of dignity. Does that count for something? They also go against my sense of … well, sense. And I’m not alone. Americans support “subjecting airline passengers to more intensive security checks if they fit a profile of terrorists based on age, ethnicity and gender” by a margin of 3 to 1. What point is there in subjecting Granny from Miami to the indignity of a having what’s under her bloomers exposed to the world when it’s more likely going to be Abdullah from Yemen with the explosives in his nether regions?
The more intractable problem is that terrorists are fiendishly capable of adaptation. If the scanners can find plastic explosives hidden in underwear – which is not guaranteed – the evildoers have another option that would foil these gadgets: hiding the bomb in a body cavity.
Exactly. Jihadists are constantly trying to improve upon their craft. If at first you don’t succeed, etc.
But if we cannot “discriminate” by “profiling” at the airport due to the ridiculous strictures of PC, then the indignity must be suffered by all. And, if the U.S. goes the same route as the UK, if you are chosen for a scan and refuse, you can’t board your flight.
More:
FCNA is asking for changes in scanner software so the machines will produce only body outlines. In the meantime, the group says Muslim travelers should choose pat-down searches over scanner images – in cases where searches are necessary.
In other words, Muslims are asking for more special privileges in the name of religion. Footbaths at the airport were not enough, it seems. Now, they expect to be exempted from a security measure that was implemented because we aren’t allowed to profile …well, Muslims.
Are there any other religions that are asking for exemptions from this security policy because being seen nude goes against their teachings? If so, I haven’t heard about it. Anyone? Bueller?
The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) is affiliated with ISNA, which is a Muslim Brotherhood group. The Brotherhood is dedicated in its own words to "eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within."
The Investigative Project also notes that a number of FCNA members have terrorism and extremism ties.
Will this become yet another “civil rights” issue for Muslims? As far as I can tell, air travel itself is not a right for anyone, unless that’s somehow been added to the Constitution while I wasn’t looking. And until our government gets a modicum of a clue when it comes to jihad and how to effectively combat it, then anyone choosing to travel by plane must be willing to sacrifice dignity for whatever safety it affords.
This enough. The muslims that are the terrorists have caused this "anti-terrorism treatment" at the airports. If they want to police their own group of people, and turn in the bad ones, fine. Otherwise, they can pray before they get to the airport, wash their feet at home or at the curb in the gutter, and if they do not want to go through security like everyone else (no discrimination) they can walk-- after all that is their 12th century mode of transportation.
posted by: LA Mike
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Moslems are primarily responsible for about 100% of airborne terrorist acts over the last quarter of a century. If they don't like to be body scanned, they can stay home..........
posted by: Jim Horn
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 10:49 AM
I am sure if you let the american populace decide whether we should use body scanners we would vote 100% to use them. I want to be safe. I don't care who sees my body and I don't care what muslims think about the subject.
posted by: curtis kruse
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 12:08 AM
I agree with your view points on the security first but would also to mention that I have heard the same complains about the immorality of seeing bodies naked has been a concern by the Jewish group and many secular women in particular- so let us not blame the Muslims only on this issue- this is concerning many other groups (secular and religious equally).
posted by: f. Shirazi
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 01:07 PM
Will anyone of you be surprised if the exempt Muslims from being scanned?
Well, just to put it in writing, it's against my "religion", too.
Why don't we trash the scanners (anyone follow the money trail, Pam?) and have bomb proof chambers where we who are without hidden and implanted explosives can pass through and the ones with them are blown to bloody bits, the pieces and parts showered off and disposed of for the next passenger. Easy as pie.
posted by: Mimi
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 01:26 PM
for those of interested on the issue of Modesty and Air Port Security in relation to religious beliefs read the link posted here from The Jewish Daily.
Chapter 3 Qatari Women’s dress: gender, religion and tradition
http://forward.com/articles/123364/
posted by: f. Shirazi
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 10:53 PM
for those of interested on the issue of Modesty and Air Port Security in relation to religious beliefs read the link posted here from The Jewish Daily.
religion and tradition
How Modern Airport Security May Run Afoul of Jewish Law
http://forward.com/articles/123364/
posted by: f. Shirazi
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 10:56 PM
