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:
“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.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
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.
December 19th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
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?
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:51 am
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.
December 27th, 2008 at 12:57 am
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.
December 27th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
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.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:12 am
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.
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
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.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
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.
January 4th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
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…
January 4th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
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.
January 5th, 2009 at 2:06 am
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!
January 6th, 2009 at 12:36 am
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.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:52 am
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!
January 6th, 2009 at 10:25 am
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!
January 6th, 2009 at 11:09 am
For all of you scared we will lose our country to left wing radicals joing http://www.talesofcourage.com
January 6th, 2009 at 11:50 am
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!
January 6th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
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.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
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.
January 6th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
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?
January 7th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
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.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:52 am
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!!!
January 8th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
This is a comment.
January 10th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
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!!!!!!!!!!
January 13th, 2009 at 1:42 am
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 !!!
January 13th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
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!
January 13th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
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)
January 13th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
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.
January 14th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
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?
January 15th, 2009 at 8:44 am
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.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:02 am
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.
January 16th, 2009 at 12:13 am
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
January 16th, 2009 at 12:14 am
islam is not a bad religion, FYI. UR SUCH AN IDIOT AND ASSHOLE
January 17th, 2009 at 2:17 am
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.
January 18th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
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.
January 21st, 2009 at 1:44 am
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.
January 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
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.
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
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?
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
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.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
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.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
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?
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 am
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?
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
America shud be ashamed of the huge number of ignorents it has.Tfo :S
January 26th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
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.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
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.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
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.
January 29th, 2009 at 11:22 am
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.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
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?
February 1st, 2009 at 11:54 am
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
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:36 am
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.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:24 pm
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.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
sorry, that should be “I don’t have a problem with OFFENDING stupid religious sensibilities…”
February 8th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
This has nothing to do with religion. Any person must remove any head covering before entering the courthouse.
This is a security precaution to make sure an individual is not concealing a weapon. If I was wearing a baseball cap or cowboy hat the same rule would apply to me.
She was free to put it back on after she passed security. This has nothing to do with her rights being infringed upon.
February 12th, 2009 at 11:34 am
no, matter what you all think of muslim, but you have to know muslim is teh only religion is right in this world. you have to accept or not, we will se hereafter.
February 13th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
RE: roald Says:
-I do not know if help was asked, or offered; I was making a statement about ACLU bias, i.e, this case was unknown to a fan like yourself.
-ACLU lacks money and staff? Call CAIR for help…
-You like the idea of appeasing “intolerant Saudis?” So you feel we should Nuke Israel to make them happy?
- We should not invent new rights for people who support slavery and pedophilia.
February 16th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Just look at the responses and a pattern emerges: Muslims are idiotic morons who don’t know how to spell, have nothing meaningful to say, and cannot construct an intelligent sentence. It would be hard for any objective person to side with them based on their arguments. This is quite reassuring actually. How can these people take over when they have lower writing skills than my five year old cousin?
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:44 am
To the liberal hater: You do know the definition of “liberal” is to be free? Or are you so hell bent on forcing everyone to believe how you believe you’ve forgotten that America is the land of the FREE, the home of the BRAVE? Clearly, you’re not an American or at least not one that agrees with the ideals of Americans. Go read a Bible and stop bothering everyone else with common sense.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
RE: lokywoky Says:
” 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.”
- Yes, Thomas Jefferson read the Quran… He was at war with Muslim Pirates who were attacking American ships, and wanted to learn about his enemy. He sent American Marines in to rescue hostages. (From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.)
February 24th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Legal Immigrant (52) - Please reread the supporting articles. She was forced to expose herself before a man, not her husband and was not allowed to restore her modesty after the search.
Air Mail (54) - Why the hostility? There are a lot of cases and events I know nothing about. I will venture that things happen in the world about which the ACLU knows nothing unless or until they are asked to intervene. It has nothing to do with any alleged ACLU bias.
February 26th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I’ll pay for her ticket back to her beloved muslim homeland. And good fcking by cuntlapping allah whore.
February 26th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
This can not be real, can it? What the hell is this muslim criminal expect, prayer mats. How about stay the hell out jail. She better watch her head if she is married to a Allah lovin husban, his other (4) four wives may get her axed otherwise. I just love diversity, the woman in question was clearly born here, maybe she found Islime there as many other blacks do to get special privledges. Liberals will find out the hard way when Jesus approaches them and says get out of my sight, and I’ll be there watching you race baiting godless pukes drown and gnaw your rotten teeth.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:14 am
The bottom line if that is the requirement… that is the requirement…. no one violated her civil liberties…. Muslims women and men believe the law doesn’t apply to them….why…. because they are of the Muslim faith. Well if the requirement applies to Catholics, Protestants, Athiests….it applies to her butt.
The ACLU would have a better reputation if they would back the law that everyone follows instead of the exception who doesn’t think applies to them.
If she arrested and jailed for an offense she will stripped down and every hole in her body will be searched. She doesn’t like it she doesn’t have to live here.
Go back to an Islamic country, cheat on your husband and she will get her head chopped off. Hello!
March 1st, 2009 at 6:56 pm
COMMENTARY: Was Muhammad a “great man”? Most certainly, in the same sense, that Hitler and Lenin were “great men!” Each of these three was responsible for millions of deaths by programs of systematic genocide, accompanied by rape, torture, pillage, and human bondage. Hitler, over a thirteen year period (1932-1945), was responsible for a paltry 11 to 18 million deaths, not taking into account war casualties. Lenin’s legacy, through World Communism, of over seventy-five years, accounted for perhaps 60 million deaths, and still counting. However, no reliable statistics are available as to the number of deaths attributable to the Muslim religion invented by Muhammad in the 7th Century, but they are numerous. In India and Persia (Iran) alone, the hundreds of millions of deaths due to the spread of Islam are unique in the annals of genocide!
In his personal life, Muhammad was a megalomaniac; a self-appointed “prophet”, using his self-serving revelations, supposedly from Allah, for personal gain, and to satisfy his own base nature. He was personally guilty of murder, including by beheading, crucifixion, pouring boiling water or molten pitch down the throat, boiling his victims in water,or ripping off their flesh. Other crimes were rape, torture, kidnaping, extortion, slavery, mutilations, banditry, theft, adultery, abuse of women, physically and sexually, and sexual abuse of at least one child. This is all well-recorded history, by his own followers! He left behind the blueprint of Islam, a dysfunctional society bent on world domination by whatever means necessary! If alive today, and not resident in a Muslim country, or in a country not permitting the Death Penalty, he would be an inmate in an asylum for the criminally insane, or on Death Row!
Shakespeare said it well, “The evil that men do lives after them……”
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I am sure all of you who are supporting this womans right to wear a scarf in court also support prayer in school correct? The court house is a “state” entity. Is it not?
Also, while I agree that while some of these people speaking out against this woman wearing a scarf in court may appear “hateful” I believe it is at least based in reality. 911 to be specific (I know all of you on the left would rather try to forget it happened). Unlike the eight years of unfounded pshychotic hatred shown by the left for George Bush. So please don’t lecture on “tolerance” or being a “christian”. You all have your crosses to bear too.
As far as the ACLU it doesn’t even recognize the 2nd amendment as an individual right, even though the supreme court has ruled it is. Yet, when it comes to rulings such as Roe Vs. Wade they are the “law of the land”. I guess they pick and choose which decisions they will recognise.
You’re a joke ACLU!
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Roald (58)
No hostility, only scorn and refutation. You don’t know the case, but take the side against the Christian. What if San Bernardino County told Jameelah Medina their “actions were intended to protect her from the intolerant?” BTW, the ‘I know nothing’ claim got old with Schultz from ‘Hogan’s Heroes.’
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I see little difference in this lady wearing her headpiece in court and the 10 Commandments or other religious symbols being displayed in the same building. Why not fight for the rights of Christians as well as Muslims. I feel discriminated against every time I hear the symbols of my beliefs have been denied in public.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
YEAH WHAT THEY SAID, SCREW THAT FUCKING BITCH. Go to PAKISTAN without a HIJAB and see HOW LONG YOUR HEAD STAYS ON YOUR FUCKING SHOULDERS.
THESE PEOPLE GOT ALL THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS IN THE WORLD,THEY CAN PRACTICE SANTA RIA, OR SATANISM LEGALLY…..
BUT THIS IS A COURT OF LAW, THE JUDGE CANNOT MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO HER CHARACTER.
OH AND GREAT QUOTE DOROTHY 3/2/2009 11:15
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS CANNOT BE DISPLAYED IN COURT - THERE IS A TOTAL SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, THEREFORE THE GOVT STAYS OUTTA YOUR CHURCH, KEEP YOUR “CHURCH” (read CULT in this case) OUTTA MY COURT ROOMS.
KEEP YOU SHITTY STUPID STINKING MUSLIM CRAP AWAY.
THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILT BY CHRISTIANS, CREATED BY CHRISTIANS, AND NOW THE ONE RELIGION TRYING TO DESTROY US AND THE EUROPEANS ARE THE ONES BEGGING DISCRIMINATION AND OPPRESSION.
YOU WANT OPPRESSION - GO BACK TO AFRICA OR ASIA OR WHATEVER MOONSCAPE CRAPHOUSE WILL TAKE YOUR ASS.
PAKISTAN ??? 33% OF ALL WOMEN IN PRISON THERE, ARE IN PRISON FOR REPORTING BEING RAPED…MAYBE HAVE FUN OVER THERE, WELL THIS ONE NEEDN’T WORRY, SHE’S TOO OLD TO BE A FIRST WIFE, THEY START MARRYING THEM OFF AT 8. A slag like this be the fourth wife in charge of the cattle.
OH AND TO ALL THE “FREEDOM” GONGERS - she is FREE - she’s FREE TO PRACTICE HER RELIGION, SHE’S FREE TO LEAVE THIS FUCKING COUNTRY.
BEING “FREE” DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO COVER YOUR FACE FOR THE DRIVER’S LICENSE PHOTO - OR HIDE YOUR GUILTY FACE FROM THE JUDGE !!!!!!
GET REAL…
March 5th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Wow, the last few messages really show love of our fellow man.
Air Mail (58) I don’t see that I am taking sides, merely pointing out that you don’t have a clue of what the ACLU stands for and ask why you think we should be as intolerant as some other nations.
March 6th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
roald(67) You and the ACLU (same thing?) do take sides. If you do not see this, you are corrupt. I have love of our fellow man - of good will, as I have a love of nature. However, I do not embrace rodents and heretics.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Wow, so much hate coming from the Christian conservatives. Shocking!
March 7th, 2009 at 3:19 am
This is so stupid. It has absolutely nothing to do with her faith. It has to do with that thing on her head heading her identity. She is probably a very nice person and I have no problem with her faith. But with all the court house shootings and all the other crime going on today I am glad that she cannot enter a courthouse with her face covered. If she were wearing a ski mask she’d get the same treatment as it should be. If she doesn’t like the law here (which is used to protect EVERYONE including her) then maybe she should move out of the country.
March 8th, 2009 at 3:26 am
liberal hater you have a very interesting argument. firstly i must say i do agree with the fact that you bring up. Where muslims often times do intergrate into the american culture! but also being a black who follows a branch of islam, and dwelling in america; facing the onslaught of racism on a day to day basis, I must say intolerance is the last word that should be uttured from this country. Not when Judaism and Christianity make up the staggering majority of religions in North America. and again, I can tell you first hand, Outside of the churches and Synagougues, the thin veil of love is lifted, and the true feelings and prejudices are revieled. Watermelons on the White House lawn??? A muslim didn’t put that there! Wake up!
March 8th, 2009 at 3:35 am
liberal hater you have a very interesting argument. Firstly i must say i do agree with the fact that you bring up: Where muslims often times do intergrate into the american culture! but also being a black who follows a branch of islam, and dwelling in america; facing the onslaught of racism on a day to day basis, I must say that the word intolerance is the last thing that should be uttered from this country. Not when Judaism and Christianity make up the staggering majority of religions in North America. and again, I can tell you first hand, Outside of the churches and Synagogues, the thin veil of love is lifted, and the true feelings and prejudices are revieled. Watermelons on the White House lawn??? A muslim didn’t put that there! Wake up!
March 8th, 2009 at 3:02 am
You know, listening to Bunny B. speaks then observing Obama’s presidency, makes me understand clearly how far this country has come to going back to where it really came from. Now imagine millions and millions of whites dwelling in the western world who buys into this damaging social psychosis. This is what makes America clearly socially and fundemantally dysfunctional. America is the leading function of dysfunction. It claims to set the global standard for the world, the entire globe, it claims to be global police, it claims to lead politically, and economically. Yet how can that really be? how can that truly maintain evidence, when the undeniable fact is socially– the skeletal structure of Great America is compromised by a mass of hopelessly racist–intolerant whites?? do i sound racist?? only because i’m attacking a racist. Do I sound intolerant? Only because I am attacking ignorance. it is what it is.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Member(69)
Lucky you don’t have the Muslims hating you…
March 9th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Islam should only be allowed to exist in America without persecution when Christianity is practiced in Muslim countries without fear of retribution. Like that’ll ever happen.
Christianity teaches love, forgiveness and life whereas Islam teachings arfe based on fear, revenge and death.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I would think that the ACLU would rejoice in removing the symbol of an oppressive religion that delegates her to a second class, “worth less than a man” human status.
The ACLU is nothing more than a hypocritical organization defending a hypocritical, but very dangerous, religious cult.
March 9th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Saudi court sentences 75-year-old woman to lashes
Here is where the ACLU is really needed. It’s time to live up to the title for this article, “A call to action for women of all beliefs”
Here’s the link
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96QN30O0&show_article=1
March 10th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Since wearing her hijab is an expression of her muslin religous beliefs and displaying a cross is an expression of a christians beliefs, could the ACLU please list the cases they have filed on behalf of christians who have worn items showing a cross and have been told to remove them. There are cases of this happening to christians at schools, work, ect. Look forward to seeing the list of cases that have been filed by the ACLU on behalf of christian beliefs, to make it simple ACLU, list ANY case you have filed supporting any christian belief.
March 11th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
The hajib is an offensive symbol, worn proudly by offensive people who practice an offensive religion. They rape children and women without concern, in every country they go to. They kill their own daughters and wives for the smallest of fallacy of fantacized dishonor.
The Muslim Religion must be combated everywhere, in every way, to stamp it out, once and for all, just as we did with Nazi Facsism, Devel Worship, and the like.
Allah is not a god at all; Allah was just a child molesting, murdering, man, inflated by myth and legend, who used Religious terrorism to create a following.
Let’s put an end to Allah, to Mulsims, and their sacred symbol of hate and oppression of women - the Hajib.
March 12th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Blake: We do have a list of cases in which the ACLU has defended the rights of Christians. It can be found here.
March 19th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Hijabs are oppressive and so is the Islamic faith. I don’t see why any female would want to wear one of these things.
March 21st, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Blake,read this: The ACLU vs. America: Exposing the Agenda to Redefine Moral Values
March 30th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Jews, Christians, and Muslims should study the middle age time frame during a period called al-andalus. During this middle-age or medieval time period all three religions existed together in complete harmony. The Jews even revived the Hebraic language post solomonic to include poetry and other uses instead of just in a liturical sense. Not too many people know or if they do know they don’t talk about this period. For the liberal, ignorant hater you really need to know that Islam originally was very tolerant and even when they conquered territories they never forced Jews or Christians to become Muslims because they believed as long as you were practicing a monotheistic religion you could exist within the community. Know your history ignoramous.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
John Cash, you are obviously misinformed. Do not take what some Muslim zealots do as Islam no more than the Christian Crusaders were murderers. You have to be able to discern between truth and falsehood and a zealot who has twisted a religion of peace to fit his/her own ideological whims. I suggest you really sit down and learn before you speak. I would guess by your thought process that you haven’t been educated past the 11th or 12th grade if that-guaranteed!!!!!!!!!
March 31st, 2009 at 9:45 pm
“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.”
-1st comment
…the irony…
April 5th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Allah will save will muslims from the hands of this wicked people but i know will are still going to rule this world.inshallau. what is there problem about hijab they want to move to the wall but will are going to come victorius
April 6th, 2009 at 4:58 am
Ah, Liberal Hater - doing the American nation proud by demonstrating the relationship between language use and intelligence:
“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.”
I think that ‘live’ should read ‘leave’.
Yeah, great. Like most middle-class conservative reactionaries, you ‘be t’ick mon’.
April 8th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Reason, thank you for your post. I have read some rather ignorant post on here. Most of the hatred that is being posted is due to how they have been conditioned or (MC)to believe the TV they watch daily. Sorry to tell you but Muslims has nothing to do with 9/11. Educate yourself for your government knows what is truly going on. This lady standing up for her rights should be the least of your worries. So while all you are crying because this woman stood up for her rights, you better educate yourself on how the government is taking all of our rights away. Research the following: Human Micro-chips (RFID), Martial Law, HR-1955, Executive orders 10990, 10995, 10997, 10998, 11000, 11001, 11002, 11003, 11005, 11051, 11310, 11049, and 11921. When Big-Brother take you down…you will be wishing you stood up for your freedoms!
Unprecedented government control over the auto industry-17 billion given in BAILOUT FUNDS
•Rick Wagnor fired
•Advised GM they have 60 days. They either renegotiate contracts or will have to file bankruptcy.
•Government tells Americans not to worry because they “the government” will back the warranty. They also plan to provide vouchers in the amount of $3500 to trade in there car for a newer model.
•Government told Chrysler that they have 30 days. They can merge with the Italian car maker Fiat or file bankruptcy
•3 million jobs will be lost
Unprecedented government control over the financial industry
FDA has the authority to regulate tobacco products
•Authority to regulate the manufacture and marketing of tobacco products.
Vocabulary change
•Global Terrorism is out Overseas Contingency Operation is in
•Out with the word Terror or Terrorism in with Man-caused disasters
•Global warming to climate change or climate catastrophe.
Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 or HR-875
Georgia Power-implementing programs that controls the usage of your electricity
•Introducing Power Credit - a program designed to control the amount of power used by your home’s air conditioner. It works like this: we install a switch on the outside of your home that is connected to your air conditioner. When the demand for electricity peaks in the summer (weekdays between noon and 7 p.m.), we send a signal to the switch to reduce the length of time your air conditioner runs. The change to your home’s temperature is minimal and there’s no cost.
Carbon Emission Tax or Pollution Tax
HR 1388: Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act
•The federal government will control all volunteerism and take it away from state and local levels
•SEC. 125. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Prohibited Activities- A participant in an approved national service position under this subtitle may not engage in the following activities:
(1) Attempting to influence legislation.
(2) Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes.
(3) Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing.
(4) Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements.
(5) Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office.
(6) Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials.
(7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.
April 13th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
As ACLU of Massachusetts Legal Director John Reinstein sees it: “Regardless of whether people agree with or abhor NAMBLA’s views, holding the organization responsible for crimes committed by others who read their materials would gravely endanger important First Amendment freedoms.”
NAMBLA and creeping sharia
The ACLU supports freak of nature pedophiles and whiny Muslims who do not think our laws should apply to them.
Give Muslims an inch and they will take a mile. MARK my words.
April 13th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I feel strongly that if you don’t like the way we live in America –or our WAY of life — get out. Canada would love to have you!
We have rules - and Americans live by them, and we respect other who understand that simple way we choose to live - here in America. Why can’t the foreigners to the United States understand that. It is very simple.
Muslims since 640 AD have been raining terror on the world. Lebanon was such a beautiful place - - and very welcoming of ALL people (christians, jews, muslims etc) — very similiar to the USA — look what it got them. . .
I have read exerpts from the Koran - it says bascially it’s ok to lie as long as its for the good of Islam. So how can we believe anything a muslim has to say? Not to mention all the “infidel” killing. It’s frightning.
ACLU “AMERICAN Civil Liberties Union” I think not.
One more thing. Please someone tell me what Muslims have contributed to the World?. . . in Literature? or Science? Technology?
April 13th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
If we are lobbying for hats in the courtroom, I want my choice addressed by the ACLU too. Jester’s Hats. Multicolored. Velvet. Little jingle bells on the tips. Or beanies with little whirly-propellers on top. Maybe those mesh ball caps with the attached mullett. You question my beliefs and traditions?!?! HOW DARE YOU!
You want equality. This is simple- men are not allowed to wear hats in courtrooms. There. Done. Problem solved.
Ohhhhh! Not the answer you wanted? I got it. You want special consideration. You are different. You are special. The rules for you should be different because of your hocus-pocus beliefs.
Equality or Special Treatment– pick one, you can’t have both you selfish bitch.
You want the rules changed, lobby to have them changed. Protest appropriately. Call a congressman. Petition for a vote. Its a Democracy. This is how it works. But remember, you have to change them for everyone- not just yourself. Despite what mom said, you are not special!
Your other choice is to follow the existing rules. Until you want to stop whining and handle this appropriately, no hats for you. For that matter for you, for me, for everyone else.
As far as I’m concerned there should be no evidence of any religion in a courthouse. That means your hat, the ten commandments, crosses, refrences to god or anything else that detracts from truth and reason.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
All those ignorant and stupid people, Dont you see ? Lisa Valentine and Jameela are not immigrants. They are African American borned and raised in this country. If Islam is really that bad, why is the fastest growing relgiion in USA? Why are American women become reverts more than men? Maybe because your hearts are so dark that you blind to the reality of Islam. Read the Qur’an and you will understand why and what such brave women are fighing for.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Muslims have contributed to world’s in many ways. Here are some of them.
- Algebra
- Trignometry
- Concept of Zero (or else you will be using the long ROman Numerals)
- Medicine
- COncept of Hospitals and Quarantine
- Elections
- Rigths of Women
- Rights of POW (Yes, before the Geneva COnvetion)
- More and More…
Surprised? Why dont u watch the PBS Documentary “Islam, the Empire of Faith”
Thank you
April 14th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Here are more contribution of Muslims to the world.
- Physics and Chemistry (refraction of sunlight, pendulum, water clock)
- Science of Mechanics (accurate weighing, specific gravity of substances)
- Camera Obscura (invented by Ibn Haytham in 1038 CE)
- Theory of Relativity (Qaadhi Abu Bakr had developed the theory of relativity in the 8th century CE )
- Geography (Muslim scientists established that the world was round in the 9th century CE)
- Advances in Industry (weaving wool, producing silk, pottery, jewelry, leather and perfume industry)
And if you stil not convinced maybe you are not willing to accept the truth.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Miracles of the Quran which prove to you that 1400 yrs ago, Muslims already know what today scientists discovered 60 yrs ago:
- That matter is made up of sub-atomic particles (chapter 10, verse 61).
- That the embryo in the mother’s womb in enclosed by three epithelial coverings (chapter 39, verse 6).
- That each human being has a unique fingerprint (chapter 75, verse 4)
- Process of Evaporation
- Proces of Embryonic development
- Proof that sweet and salt sea water will not mix when rivers meat ocean.
Ofcourse there is a lot more if you are iterested in knowing the truth or even accepting the truth. Please respect other people right to believe, practice and preach. Thats called Freedom. If you dont stand for that then you should be ashamed to call yourself American since thats what I thought America stood for.
Peace.
April 14th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
The amount of hate i see in the comment on this blog is very scary to me.
Everyone assumes that Muslims are immigrants who hate us.
My best friend is a Muslim and he has never said any thing anti-American. Two other friends of mine are Muslims who were born in America and so were there parents and their grandparents.
This is the exact same rhetoric the Nazi’s used to justify their hatred for the jews.
“Give Muslims an inch and they will take a mile. MARK my words.”
-American Girl
Heres what Hitler said.
“There can be no compromise- there are only two possibilities: either victory of he Aryan or annihilation of the Aryan and the victory of the Jew”
Incidentally Hitler also had his police cut of Jewish rabbis’ prayer locks- after all when in Rome. If we are to avoid the mistakes of the past we must look at individuals and not at groups.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Wow, I am extremely appauled by some of the hate I see on this site… The pure ignorance of people who claim to be Americans, “True” Americans, and Christians.
ALL people have the right to express their religious beliefs and worship the way they want to, as long as it is not hurting someone.
How is wearing a traditional piece of clothing a danger to anyone? It’s not.
Therefore, I don’t see the problem in her practicing, and she has every right to protect her freedome of religion and expression, which is what this country was founded on!
And if you have ever read the Quran, you know that it is a religion based on peace, fundamentally, and preaches peace.
Just because some terrible and radical terrorists have gone against their religion, and twisted it, does not mean that the rest of the Muslim communities practice that way!
Just because a muslim woman wears a headress does NOT make her a second class citizen. Do you silly people even know why many of those women CHOOSE to wear the headress? (Yeah, I said it, they CHOOSE to wear it). It is because they want to cover up their bodies, they respect, and love their bodies.They treasure it enough to cover it up, because they are of a conservative background, and feel as if their bodies are sacred, and only their husbands can see it.
I suggest that you ignorant bigots read up a little bit, RESEARCH AND STUDY OTHER RELIGIONS, even just a little.
I know plenty of very kind muslim people who are very smart, tolerant, peaceful, and not quick to blow things up.
For any idiot that didn’t understand that, here’s the TL;DR for you: GTFO PL0X.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
ACLU is very quick to defend muslims’ rights yet constantly attack Christianity and at war with removing all Christian heritage from the land.
IS THIS NOT A DOUBLE STANDARD?
April 16th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
IN RESPONSE TO NUMBER 95
Tell me if islam stands for peace how come minorities in the islamic world are shrinking because of persecution yet muslims are thriving in the Western World.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
How about ACLU defends the rights of Christians to speak about their faith
and pray in the name of Jesus?
April 17th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Rose,
You should read this: http://www.aclu.org/religion/govtfunding/26526res20060824.html
The ACLU regularly defends the rights of Christians to speak about their faith and pray in the name of Jesus.
The problem that many Christians seem to have is their idea that the rights of non-believers are somehow less or not equal to the rights of Christians. Christians do not have more rights than everyone else to have their views represented by the government - despite what they may believe. It really is just that simple.
Anyway, you should read the link.
April 24th, 2009 at 6:04 am
While humans labels themselves with race, religion, passports, beauty & profile, America & World will always be suffering the consequences…
April 24th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
What is the problem with a woman wearing a head scarf and covering her body? Mary, mother of Jesus covered her body and covered her hair. I think you racist hipocritical communists should take a few pointers from these muslims. You act like you love freedom and America but you whine and complain when freedom applies to a group of people you obsessivly hate, you want everyone to behave, talk, and dress just like you, thats communism so if you don’t like America and our constitution then LEAVE!!!!!
April 25th, 2009 at 2:25 am
as a child liberalhater was likely raped thoroughly by his father; nothing else accounts for his disturbed psyche
April 27th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
It is so called AMERICAN WOMEN like you that make Americans sick of hearing and seeing people like you in America. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE OUR LAWS, GO BACK WHREE YOU CAME FROM. WHEN IN ROME YOU ACK LIKE ROMANS. IF YOU ARE A “TRUE” AMERICAN, than take your headscarf off and follow our rules. I am sick of people like you coming to America and taking my rights away as a TRUE AMERICAN, CHRISTIAN. I pray GOD HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA!!! WHAT A BIG JOKE AND A DISCUSTING ONE AT THAT, the A.C.L.U. is. I WOULD NEVER SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE. I can accept you BUT IS DO NOT HAVE TO APPROVE OR AGREE WITH WHAT YOU STAND FOR OR YOUR BELIEF SYSTEM. MERICA was build on IN GOD WE TRUST, no in ali we trust. GET OVER IT!!!!
May 7th, 2009 at 4:14 am
an the Head Scarf of St. Mary be removed? Every good moslem women follows St.Mary, Ayesha, Khadeejah etc. All these great Muslim women wore head scarf. The Christian Western world don’t realize that they pray to a women called St.Mary in church every Sunday which is a public place, her head is coverd by a scarf and they also pray the statue of her son named Jesus, who has a beard and wears along robe like an Arab. The western world fail to realize that both Mary and Jesus were Moslems by FAITH though Jewish by RACE and they prayed Allah and had dress habits like any other Moslem, they were saints and Prophets. If Jesus was alive today he wouldnt be allowed in USA, as he looked like Taliban and member of Al quida, and Mary would be harrased in USA and France along with other western so called Civilized world a she wore a head scarf and looked Moslem. The Irony of the story is the west considers them as God and prays them but disallow any one wear the same kind of dress which these people wear. One can roam naked in western world in beaches, how ever one cannot fully cover his or her body as it is uncivilized according to them???
May 7th, 2009 at 4:15 am
NUDISM FASTEST GROWING RELIGION
In a few years we can find textile, clothing, and apparel industries of the entire world closed down, as Nudism is the order of the day and stupidity and Satan are its deities.. All the Best to its followers
May 13th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
It’s due to many people like the ones leaving these comments that I plan on leaving this country after I finish college. I have decided that America is not going in the same direction as me and other nations share more of my same beliefs. America has stunted it’s cultural growth and I do not accept it. All we have is ignorance.
The early Popes actually declared a holy war on many races hundrends of years ago but they still did it…was that justified? You are brainwashed into thinking you are right and that you know everything. Until you know everything around you I think you should shut your mouth.
May 13th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
This is a very interesting sight and debate reflecting what is clearly sensitive issue for many people. Now I will fill some individuals in on some facts.
1. Islam in its true religious form does not oppress anyone anymore than Christianity, Judaism or any other religion. It has a relatively liberal view. It is the surrounding culture that affects the interpretation of these religious words, just like anywhere else. It is culture that dictates religion not the other way. The fact that some areas and people have not moved on to see women or people as equals is a reflection on themselves not on their religion, even if they use it as a justification. Do you think the Bible approved of the western oppression
of women in the not so distant past (ie: under 30 years ago)? Their inability to be truly independent or equal? It took long,hard, brutal battles to get all cultures in the west to see that all people are equal which then was backed religiously.
2. Fact: America as a Nation and a concept was not built on any particular religion, whether God, Allah (not ali), or Yahweh, but on a freedom of rights. Religious, personal, in speech, thought and action ( action within reason,please folks). Freedom was its basis not religion, which is what made it unique in a time of oppression and monarchies. It opted for the unique and brilliant idea of the separations of church and state. Therefor by definition of this fact, by the very thing that makes it what it is, America is NOT a Christian nation. It does not have a religion. If it did it would follow Religious law, not the CIVIL law it has now. But the people within the borders are entitled to their personal religions, and are allowed practice and express that in all areas. It may happen for the majority, that is Christianity, But that does NOT make the State so. The is neutral. That’s kind of the point. It is also why it will never be a Muslim or Jewish nation. IT’S NOT POSSIBLE. For it to become a nation with a religion it would first have to stop being The United States of America, as it was so laid out in The Constitution. If it does, then we’ll talk.
3. Being of a particular religious faith does not mean you have to agree with every interpretation, action or word of or by said faith, just the few basics of its beliefs. It most certainly does NOT mean you condone/ agree with/ partake in the action of violent zealots and extremists that spout the name of your faith as reason or justification. If it did Christianity would be in be trouble people ( The Holocaust anyone? Apartheid? Much senseless violent slaughter in history and still to day? It was used many times as justifications for these) . Most religions would be too.
4. I was going to say something on ACLU defending Christian but Paulo got there first. (not about liberalhater but before that about ACLU. I did snigger at the liberalhater comment
Sorry not funny).
PS. i think people have missed the point and gone off topic. This woman’s case is not about her religion or your personal thoughts on it. Its about her civil right to have her belief and express it and it be respected by law and state .
May 13th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
The american public are the most stupid people around. Not the government. Complain here, sue there, whine like a little bitch there. Go on with your lives and mind your own damn business.
May 13th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Makes me wanna rip a habit right off a Christian womans head in my country….but the problem is my country is a decent place and I dont want it to become like another racist sh1thole like the USA.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:33 am
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… Where are they to help us Christians…
May 16th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Oh, PLEASE… I had to take of my headscarf for hours… a MAN might have seen me…!! Trust me honey, no man is interested.
May 16th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I am currently doing research to determine the interest in America’s space program. If you have a minute please take my survey at:
http://spaceprogrambudget.questionpro.com
Your time very important for our research and your opinions matter! Thank you ~ Erik Kallstrom - ERAU Graduate student.
May 19th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
It’s America: This muslim woman broke the law. She was taken to jail. She was asked to dress like all other prisoners.
It’s Iran: A non-muslim woman breaks the law. She is taken to jail. She is asked to PUT ON head covering like all other prisoners.
Follow the laws of the country you live in.
May 19th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Lets see, the ACLU wants to protect muslim women’s right to wear a hat in court, when i can’t; you want to protect muslim terrorists and give them the same rights as native born Americans have; but you want to help people KILL unborn children, who have a heartbeat, and a soul, and you want to take away my right to put up a cross, and worship Jesus, the ReAL son of God. There is a cross on my private property, so all who pass by can see! Come get, you lilly livered anti-Americans!
Sick of the A C L U in Texas1
May 19th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
You have nothing else to do? I guess not. I think this is your main job. Because only bunch of idiots like you will pay attention to the f…g hijab. Should I remind you that we have a law here? Seems to be, you are aliens from Crazyland aka Pakistan. Now you want pictures to be released, to kill more our soldiers. Well, I would go further; you are not aliens but enemies of US.
May 29th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Re:TheyAreNotImmigrants
I have heard these claims before, yet I know of no world class Muslim Colleges? I believe that most, if not all of the claims of discovery you make were done in reality by Jewish and other non islamic ’slaves’ in Muslim countries.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Maybe those who don’t want to follow our rules should read the history of America. My Irish ancestors couldn’t get a job, my German ancestors had to hide their heritage during the wars, Catholics, Jews, everyone has been through some struggle. Asking one to take off a scarf, no matter what the significance of it, is not a big deal. Maybe there should be a sign at every port of entry: DO NOT ENTER UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF THIS COUNTRY.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
If I go to a muslim country, am i not expected to abide by their rules/laws even if it is against my principles to wear head gear (I find that to be way too submissive for my feelings)? If they come to this country, there is an expectation they need to abide by our laws and rules, they are not entitled to exceptions and I feel they need to be respectful of our country and our laws. This is not indicitive of such respect. ACLU is not protecting our constitution nor our country. I think the ACLU has dropped the bal….again.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
>DO NOT ENTER UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF THIS COUNTRY.
…one of the rules being freedom of expression, and another one being religious freedom…
June 8th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
To those commenters above who charge the ACLU with being one-sided: The ACLU has defended the religious freedom of both Christians (see “http://www.aclupa.org/pressroom/acluofpennsylvaniadefendsc.htm ) and white supremacists (google “aclu Skokie”). Seriously, people, before you get o’reilly’d up you might want to consider checking the facts using your favorite search engine.
Regarding the allegation that ACLU purportedly does not defend Christians who have been discriminated against, you may also want to consider that Christianity is certainly the dominant religion in the U.S., hence laws and power structures that favor one religion over others are likely to be biased toward Christians.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Frist of all
The ACLU can go Fuck themselves. This is America, if the people of other faiths and from other countries want to live her check your customs and believes
at the door. As Americans its time we take our country back. One Nation Under GOD not Allah
June 15th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Beck…This is America. That means we respect the beliefs of people of all and of no religion, not just Xianity.
You are correct that we, the good citizens of this country need to take it back from those who would destroy its Constitution and favor the rules of one particular religion.
BTW, Allah means GOD.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Disgusting as it is, political correctness is the UCLU’s Holy Grail. Their minds are are wired to sacrifice common sense for this disease of the mind, political correctness.
God will not help us with this one folks because he gave us freedom to choose right from wrong.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
why cant you people get back to the topic of discussion. This woman is feeling realy bad,she cannot attend court session all becouse he had a scarf over her head. GET IT RIGHT. it not about ‘ACLU’