Islamic scholars issue fatwa forbidding Muslim-Americans from using full-body airport scanners

[JoshiRachelsMom]

 

Add Muslim-American groups to the chorus of voices slamming full-body airport scanners.

A body of North American Islamic scholars has issued a fatwa, or religious decree, forbidding Muslims from passing through the devices, the Detroit -Free Press reports, saying they violate the faith's teachings on modesty.

"It is a violation of clear Islamic teachings that men or women be seen naked by other men and women," the ruling, issued by The Fiqh Council of North America, states.

 "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."

Another Muslim group, The Council on American-Islamic Relations, backed the proclamation.

"We support the Fiqh Council’s statement on full-body scanners and believe that the religious and privacy rights of passengers can be respected while maintaining safety and security," Nihad Awad, national executive director of CAIR, told the Detroit Free Press.

The machines at issue render a detailed outline of the scanned individual's body that the Transportation Security Administration says is immediately destroyed.

The TSA says going through the scanners is "optional to all passengers." Individuals can refuse the screening, the newspaper reports, and instead be patted down by a TSA guard.

The employment of full-body scanners has come under fire from civil libertarians, who say the devices are analogous to a strip search.

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Thoughts?

[JoshiRachelsMom]

Well then find another means of transportation. Flying on an airplane is not a RIGHT.

[mcsmom1]

If they don't want to be scanned then they can start riding the bus instead of flying.

[jaxTheMom]

I believe the article states that passengers can opt to be pat down instead of the full-body scan, and that is what the clerics are telling Muslims to do.

I've seen this discussed on another forum with Muslim posters, and most of them stated they were fine with the body scan.

[katy_kay]

I can't say that I blame them for feeling it's a violation of their modesty.  I agree with them, I find it to be way too intrusive. 

[jaxTheMom]

I think it is too, but it sure would seem to be a better solution than what we've got right now.

I don't want anybody to see my whatsits and whosits!

Quoting katy_kay:

I can't say that I blame them for feeling it's a violation of their modesty.  I agree with them, I find it to be way too intrusive. 

[katy_kay]

I don't know about your airport but the TSA guys at ours all look like they spend their weekends building Legos in their mom's basement. 

I think it's misleading to think we need more security when the reality is we need people to do a better job at the things they are suppose to be doing.    When you see TSA employees sleeping on the job and failing multiple screening tests it's really more about working to eliminate human error. 

Quoting jaxTheMom:

I think it is too, but it sure would seem to be a better solution than what we've got right now.

I don't want anybody to see my whatsits and whosits!

Quoting katy_kay:

I can't say that I blame them for feeling it's a violation of their modesty.  I agree with them, I find it to be way too intrusive. 

 

[tericared]

The TSA says going through the scanners is "optional to all passengers." Individuals can refuse the screening, the newspaper reports, and instead be patted down by a TSA guard.

Muslims are not  the only ones who dont want to be seen in this manner....

[cowgirlsr2]

Sounds to me a pat down it is or a really long drive.

[JoshiRachelsMom]

I don't think that anyone should be allowed to refuse the screenings. A terrorist can refuse the screening and still get aboard a plane and kill people.

If people are allowed to refuse screenings then its a waste of money and time.

[AdkArmyMom]

 

Quoting tericared:

The TSA says going through the scanners is "optional to all passengers." Individuals can refuse the screening, the newspaper reports, and instead be patted down by a TSA guard.

Muslims are not  the only ones who dont want to be seen in this manner....

No one said that they were.  However, to date, there is no other group that has a decree written that prohibits them from doing so.  ANYONE  who is opposed to being screened has the option to choose another form of transportation.  Flying, taking a train or a bus are all privileges, not rights. 

I also find the scanners to be instrusive, but I'd rather compromise a few rights than lose my life.