Hijab

According to the Wehr-Cowen Arabic English dictionary, hijab means cover, partition, barrier. It is to be a barrier from unwanted advances and lustful looks, and a protection from these things. Therefore modesty in dress and modesty in behavior go hand in hand.

Hijab is also to be worn to be recognized as a religious person, and to keep from being approached in the wrong manner. Allah (The God) says in the Holy Quran chapter 33, verse 59, "O Prophet! Tell thy wives, and daughters, and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad); That is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested; And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

Identification

One of the most interesting points officials are making in the case to remove the headscarf is that the removal is for identification purposes. Meaning what? In order to be identified, you should appear in your photograph the same way you appear in person, right? Well, if a Muslim woman removes her scarf for her license photograph, and does something as simple as tries to cash a check while wearing her scarf, it would be much easier to identify her from her photograph if she was also wearing a scarf in her photograph. Besides, all that is required for proper identification is the face, and the hijab does not cover the face.

9/11

Another interesting point being brought up in this case is that somehow by a Muslim woman removing her scarf, security of the homeland increases. How? The question is this, if on 9/10/2001, a Muslim woman went to get her driver’s license and removed her scarf, would 9/11/2001 not have happened? One has absolutely nothing to do with the other.

"Privilege" not a right to have a driver’s license

Muslim women are being told that it is a privilege and not a right to have a driver’s license. Denying someone a driver’s license based on a scarf is a flagrant misuse of power. First, let us look at the definition of "privilege":

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, privilege means:

1a. A special advantage, immunity, permission, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or caste.

b. Such an advantage, immunity, or right held as a prerogative of status or rank, and exercised to the exclusion or detriment of others.

According to the definition, a privilege is a "special" right "exercised to the exclusion or detriment of others", namely the Muslim woman. Instead of denying someone the "special right" to have a driver’s license based upon a scarf, a more appropriate use by the issuers of licenses is to apply it to those persons who are habitual drunkards, drug abusers, and the like who are a real threat when behind the wheel.