Religion: Islamic scholars forbid full-body scans for Muslims. Islamic scholars issued a "fatwa" this week forbidding Muslims to go through full body scanners at airports because it violates Islamic rules on modesty.
The Fiqh Council of North America, a body of Islamic scholars, issued the fatwa. The fatwa says:
"It is a violation of clear Islamic teachings that men or women be seen naked by other men and women. 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."
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) claims that images are automatically deleted, and the officer viewing the image never sees the passenger. Supposedly the scanners do not produce photos and look like chalk outlines.
If scanners violate Islamic law, passengers can opt to be patted-down by same-sex security guards, an option favored by the Muslim scholars. All passengers, regardless of faith, may opt for the optional same sex pat down.
Many passengers have expressed privacy concerns. The idea of exposing one's self to a stranger is unappealing to most everyone.
Safety is another growing concern of travelers. An International Committee on Radiation Safety submitted a report saying pregnant women and children should not be scanned because of the exposure to radiation during the scan, even though the level of radiation exposure is very low.
It is ironic that Muslims should feel violated by a security measure put in place to try and prevent further acts of terror by fellow Muslims. While privacy is a legitimate concern, religious preference is not. It is difficult to support accommodations for religious superstition of any kind. Religious ignorance and superstition is the very source of terror, death and destruction the scans are meant to prevent.
Portland International Airport (pdx) currently does not have full body scan technology in place. When the TSA was contacted at pdx they were uncertain when the airport would have access to the technology.
Comments
Easy enough, you don't want that full body scan? Don't get on that airplane. You can travel by camel all you want, never being scanned. But if you need to fly somewhere, you need to set aside your religious convictions and be prepared to show it all.
The bombers that took advantage of hiding their bombs in their underware don't get a break from showing what's in their underware now!
I know not all Muslims are a part of the terrorism attacks, but unfortunately any of them potentially can be (as well as plenty of other people from around the world) It's too late accuse TSA of being too secure now.
What a double standard. Muslims concerned about privacy and it's dismissed religious superstition. Non-Muslims concerned about privacy and it's a legitimate concern. Puhleez. Wonder if we should have full-body scans for the non-Muslim academics who shoot up Universities.
The fact of the matter is I'd submit gladly to these scans myself as long as they ensure fewer potential bombs get through. Of course what people fail to acknowledge is that it doesn't expose physical details in the way people like to assume: www.tsa.gov/blog/2008/05/you-asked-for-ityou-got-it-millimeter.html . fact is the alternate pat down would probably be more offensive.
I have to strongly object to this sentence: "It is ironic that Muslims should feel violated by a security measure put in place to try and prevent further acts of terror by fellow Muslims."
A terroist is not a Muslim and a Muslim cannot be a terrorist. So please don't group me with terrorist. My "fellow Muslims" are not commiting acts of terror; I do not stand with terrorist in any way shape or from.
The next sentence is also highly objectionable: "While privacy is a legitimate concern, religious preference is not." Hello, both privacy and freedom of religion are protected under our consititution. Both are important. I'm sure Muslims are not the only ones who don't want to expose themselves to radiation and privacy violations. An alternative should be provided.
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