Kenyan Islam Leaders Want Immigration Officials to Stop Forcing Muslims to Remove Caps during Application for Passports
Kenyan Muslim leaders want Immigration officials to stop forcing members of the religion to remove their caps when being photographed during application for passports.
In a letter to Kenyan Immigration authorities, the leaders term the move as discriminatory since it contravenes their doctrines.
Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Chairman Sheikh Abdallah Ateka explains that the cap is a religious clothe that should not be removed haphazardly.
"The kufis (popular name of the caps) are religious attires which cannot be removed anyhow. We write with a burden to raise red flag on the discrimination male Muslims are subjected to when seeking to get passports," reads part of the letter.
The leaders question why members of other religions such as Sikh and Akorino are not asked to remove their head gear during the process.
"The move is in contravention of the Constitutional freedom of worship. Every Kenyan has the right, either in person or in a community with others, in public or in private, to manifest religious belief through worship practice or observance," the Imams state.
Comments (8)
Dini ya Kiislamu na Kikristo ni dini za watu waliohusika kuwauza Wafrika ughaibuni. Yafaa serikali ipige marufuku dini hizi mbili zinazowabagua Wafrika kinyume cha "MWUMBAJI MKUU."
Hebu tukumbuke ya kwamba, tarehe 15, mwezi wa 11, mwaka wa 1884, ndipo Ndugu zetu wa kutoka Yuropa na Marekani walifanya mkutano huko Berlin, Ujerumani kugawanya Bara la Afrika kwa manufaa yao binafsi na kutufikiria ya kwamba sisi si watu.
Mkutano huu ulimalizika tarehe 26, Mwezi wa Pili mwaka wa 1885. Matatizo tulionayo sasa yalitokana na mkutano huu. Kusema kweli, binadamu hana huruma kwa binadamu mwenzake. Kwa nini mtu atoke kwake, aje nyumbani mwako, na kukupa jina lake, imani yake, mila zake, na kukufanya ujidharau? Kama Mambo Mbotela alivyosema, " Je, huu ni ungwana?"
Yafaa dini hizi mbili zirudi mahali zilipotoka. Dini hizi zinamtukana MWUMBAJI kwa kukataa kumkubali binadamu mwenzake kama mtu kama yeye.
If indeed the sighs are allowed to keep their turbans on,then its discriminatory.I see no problem so long as some one can easily be identified by the photo.
However,in all fairness, if a woman has to cover all her face,and leaving two slits to see through,now that makes it aproblem of identity.This happened in Florida. A corp pulled over a muslim woman.And all he could see was ablack head with two slits showing eyes.
For security reasons,I believe that identity is paramount.But should be done with respect,and personal rights in mind.However, public security,or security of the masses out weigh personal rights.My two cents.
And what happens when one change religion? We should consider one ID with two photos, one with religious gear, and the other without. It's common knowledge that at wearer's convenience, the head gears is easily removed. Current technology can accommodate both photos.
Next will be their women who cover all their face with small holes near the eyes.
And next they will start forcing you to wear their garb calling you kafir and infidel. Scary. You give an inch they take a yard or a mile.
One of the fundamental and universal requirement for passports across the globe Is a clear outline of facial features(must not be not covered) like eyes, nose & mouth. Izo zingine ni extra tu. Respect their religion and freedom to express and practice it.
This is simple. Remove all items that do not belong to your body for universal purposes. If the allegations are true that some other religions are allowed to keep their coverings then that isn’t correct. The law should apply to everyone. Other thing the leaders could do is, call for a meeting from these communities that are being affected and draw the best solutions from it.
To wear caps or not sounds diminutive since there are other ways of identify an individual. We have finger prints and eye's pupil sensors which are more accurate than pictures. It's also quite difficult for both blacks and whites to identify each other accurately(even without caps or hats).