Hijab nets Muslim’s ejection from mall

The religious obligation of a masking hijab nets Muslim woman’s ejection from mall by security officers

The Council on American-Islamic Relations reported Friday, Feb. 29, on their threatened legal action against Oakwood Mall in New Orleans, Louisiana, for ejecting a woman due to her refusal to remove her headscarf, or hijab.

CAIR demanded action by state and national law enforcement leaders to investigate the mall and security guards involved in the incident that took place as the 54-year-old woman and her daughter were leaving the food-court area on Friday, Feb. 22.

A security guard approached them and allegedly told the older woman that she had two options: remove her headscarf or leave the mall. (The woman's daughter-in-law was not wearing a headscarf.) The guard did not offer an explanation for his demand.

During the long walk out of the mall, the guard reportedly followed the women and even called for back-up.

The daughter-in-law told CAIR that the two women felt "humiliated" by the stares of other shoppers as the guard followed them out of the mall.

When two more guards came to the scene, they did not offer assistance to the women, but they did confirm the reason for the first guard's ejection order.

The family, all of whom are American citizens of Palestinian heritage, has retained an attorney and is exploring their legal options.

"It is unbelievable that an American of any faith would be denied access to a public area merely because she wished to carry out the requirements of her faith," said CAIR National Legal Counsel Nadhira Al-Khalili.

"We call on local law enforcement authorities and the FBI to determine whether any civil rights or criminal laws were violated during this disturbing incident."

This press release that went out to numerous local media sources is telling as to the well-funded capacity of the CAIR organization to intimidate for Islamic causes.

The guards, if they really did not offer explanation for the scarf demand, should have offered a policy-related reason – that each shopper must continually show their face and identity.

Stealing is a legitimate concern for malls and stores, and long-flowing clothing with face- or hair-covering scarves make an excellent cover for thieves.

Malls and stores have rights to refuse service and shopping privileges to anyone deemed a risk to their property because of any activity that might facilitate loss.

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