Head Coverings In the News, Again

You may have heard the latest from Gaza.

A WorldNetDaily Exclusive: "Christians targeted in Gaza"
Bombings of churches, Bible store follow Hamas' ascent to power
Posted: May 19, 2008, 10:32 pm Eastern
By Aaron Klein, © 2008 WorldNetDaily

JERUSALEM – A building in Gaza with an Internet cafe that reportedly was bombed is owned by a Palestinian Christian, WND has learned.

The media widely reported the target of Sunday's bombing as perceived symbols of Western influence. A search of English-language articles on the attack yielded no results reporting the target was Christian.

The bombing follows scores of other anti-Christian attacks in the Gaza Strip – including one last Friday that targeted a Christian school – since the Hamas terror group was elected to power in 2006.

. . .

Immediately after Hamas' Gaza coup, Abu Saqer told WND in an exclusive interview Christians could continue living safely in the Gaza Strip only if they accepted Islamic law, including a ban on alcohol and on women roaming publicly without proper head coverings. . . .

It seems that a person is considered "Christian" who does not wear a head covering?

I think we all realize that a ban on alcohol, and women "roaming publicly without proper head coverings" would not be a problem for Christians. The media has it right to focus on the fact that it is symbols of Western influence that are being targeted. Unfortunately, Western missionaries often carry Western influenced Christianity. Read the full article to to see what you think.

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Before we are to quick to say that this is a "Middle East" problem, consider problems in the West:

The Independent, of the UK, reports: "Anti-Semitic violence nears record level"
By Emily Dugan, Saturday, 17 May 2008

The number of anti-Semitic attacks in Britain has reached its second-highest level ever, MPs have been told. Figures from a charity show 547 such incidents were recorded last year, of which a record 114 were violent assaults.

. . .

Jon Benjamin, the chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said they were "extremely encouraged" by the Government's response. He said anti-Semitism had been a reality in the Jewish community for years in Britain, but there had been further signs it was getting worse.

"We know our community buildings have to be secure, and our schools need security," he said. "The quality of life for Jews here is good, but there are perceptible changes, such as the graffiti this week. People wearing head coverings to synagogue on a Saturday morning can feel somewhat vulnerable."

And a people who wear head coverings on a Satuday morning are immediately identifiable as Jewish.

Personally I see something in common between these two stories. What's the real problem with these "others" in your country?

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And problems with coverings in Africa as well, who must for some reason follow in the footsteps of the Turkish government and school system:

Copied and pasted here as reported in "Religion Clause" blogspot, Wednesday, May 21, 2008,
"Ugandan University Bars Muslim Women From Wearing Head Coverings In Exams"

In Uganda, Makerere University has angered Muslims by banning students wearing head coverings from entering examination rooms. The ban primarily affects Muslim women. New Vision yesterday reported that university officials say they are trying to prevent cheating by preventing students from carrying jackets, scarfs, caps and sweaters into exams. Presumably the directive is intended to prevent those taking exams from hiding unauthorized material. However Muslim students say this is an attack on the Muslim faith. They protested by marching from the university mosque to the main building carrying signs such as one reading: "Accord Islam value, don’t undress our Muslim sisters."

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Maybe it's all because the media, or the governments of mankind, just don't understand the head covering, that it seems to be a part of these situations? Or is it just "the powers that be" and "the way things are" reacting to the "other" that is different and unknown? I'm not saying I know all the answers. Just some things to think about maybe.