Islamic women defend their right to wear headscarves in photographs

A Muslim Macedonian woman was thrown out of the Interior Ministry Headquarters while applying for a passport because she produced a photo of herself wearing a headscarf. The woman,Mersiha Smajlovic, felt that her human rights were violated because this type of treatment was discrimination on the basis of religious affiliation. She was further upset when a nun was issued a passport permitting a photograph of her in her chosen religious garments. This news reached the Islam and Science women's association in Macedonia who insist that Muslim women should be permitted to wear their headscarves in photographs for personal documents. The Interior Ministry spokesperson rebuked by saying that to change this rule would require a change in law (since it is stated in their Book of Rules that this is not permitted) and he knew of no other European countries that allowed such a concession. He was then met with rejection as, apparently, a slew of other European countries did, indeed, allow this freedom of religious expression. Some of these countries include Bosnia,Croatia, Denmark, and Sweden, as well as Macedonia.

I think that such a concession for religious expression ought to be allowed. Honestly, if these women are traveling they will likely be wearing the required religious garb anyway. If a woman had her passport photo taken without it then she might look suspicious while traveling for covering up so much. I do, however, understand that this is against regulations because it is altering one's natural appearance. When I got my passport photo taken I had to remove my glasses and I would have had to take off any hat I may have been wearing. However, I will say that without glasses one can still see what a person looks like. A hat covers the eyes which really is a defining feature on anybody. A headscarf or veil does cover up a good deal of the face but, like I said, that is how the lady would look when traveling. So isn't that the most honest way to portray a person...how they look on a regular basis?

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