UMDAD

From today's Detroit Free Press...

Saying that body scanners violate Islamic law, Muslim-American groups are supporting a “fatwa” – a religious ruling – that forbids Muslims from going through the scanners at airports. The Fiqh Council of North America issued a fatwa this week that says going through the airport scanners would violate Islamic rules on modesty.

“It is a violation of clear Islamic teachings that men or women be seen naked by other men and women,” reads the fatwa issued Tuesday. “Islam highly emphasizes haya (modesty) and considers it part of faith. The Quran has commanded the believers, both men and women, to cover their private parts.”

BunsenBurner

I have a feeling that the number of Islam converts in the US will increase soon

Futureholds

It is your choice. Go through the screening or take the train or bus.

marite

^^ This might significantly reduce the need for TSA personnel!

BunsenBurner

Futureholds, what's your solution for the residents of HI? A big ferry boat to the "mainland" named Titanic?

The body scanner machines are being heavily lobbied for by their manufacturers - it is just another way to syphon taxpayer money into private pockets, that's all.

3bm103

I agree. If you don't want to go through body scanners, then don't fly. Residents of Hawaii would have to take a boat back to the mainland and then move there

seiclan

Funny, did you guys notice the muslim online dating service ad on the left?

DonnaL

Isn't there an option for a hand search if you don't want to use a body scanner?

And, yes, I'm getting the SingleMuslim dating service ad too.

rocket6louise

got the ad too

I dislike the full body scanner..seems a bit ridiculous...what's next full cavity searches?

No matter what we do, people who want to blow up planes will find a way around it...at some point we have to stand up for our Civil Liberties..I draw the line here

You have to stand up for something, or you fall for nothing

Kajon

Before the Christmas Day attempt, TSA might have let them cover their "privates". I say don't fly if you don't want to be scanned. I sincerely hope that TSA does not give in to this. Last year we had a group of Muslim taxi drivers refusing to give rides to anyone who had been drinking or who had a dog with them because it was against their religion. Well then, don't drive a taxi.

Lergnom

Here is the actual story.

First, I doubt many people will listen to these people because most people would consider a body search to be more invasive and less modest than a body scan.

Second, I doubt many Muslims will agree with the logic of the ruling because the ideas of modesty - which are common to other religions - aren't meant to apply to a security agent reviewing a scan, especially when the reviewer may not be looking at the actual person and when there is no prurient intent.

Third, I would think most Muslims would recognize that refusing to be scanned = an invitation to much greater scrutiny. I'm not saying anything would be found but that one would be subjected to greater questioning, more searching, etc., not merely a quick pat down. After all, the point of scanners is to find stuff that's hidden, not stuff that you can easily note.

Hunt

I predict that if you turn down the full-body scan, you will miss your plane, unless you go to the airport very, very early. I think it's a mistake for Muslims to call attention to themselves in this way, but perhaps it's just an honest religious belief. I wonder if some conservative members of other religions will feel the same?

Hanna

'Isn't there an option for a hand search if you don't want to use a body scanner?"

Yes.

HYPhoper

It's an invasion of privacy, regardless of your religion.

Hunt

I was patted down when I flew last week. That was an invasion of my privacy, too--worse, in my opinion, than the scan, because somebody was actually touching me. But what is the real alternative?