Yes, it's about covering the face.

Submitted by Mike Ramirez (United States), Apr 25, 2013 at 00:29

Sara: You are absolutely correct in stating that this is a safety concern in regard to covering the face completely so as to hide the identity of whomever is concealed by a niqab or burkah. Sure, other religions may have certain teachings about modest apparel and women having to cover their head when in public and/or at worship. However, fundamental Islam is the only one that requires women to conceal their entire face and body completely in public with just enough opening to see where they are walking. This is evident by changes made when the Taliban seized control in Afghanistan and as required by other hard-line Islamic sects throughout the Middle East.

The danger, presently experienced in the Middle East, is when an individual wearing full covering can easily enter a house of worship or crowded place and detonate explosives for the cause of their ideological sect of Islam. If the two brothers involved in the Boston Marathon bombing had been wearing full covering they could have easily walked away from the chaotic scene, shed their outer garments in a hidden area and would have never been identified. Unfortunately, we are still vulnerable to a premeditated attack but we cannot afford to give any kind of advantage to those who wish our society harm. It's better to take the preventative measures now, as proposed by Dr. Pipes, rather than wait until another tragic, possibly worse, event occurs against American citizens by an individual who may incorporate the use of a niqab or burkah to carry out an act of terror just as they are doing in the Middle East today.

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