San Diego - Bank refuses to serve woman in hijab

**dirtydog** · 04-02-2009, 07:52 AM

Bank refuses to serve woman in hijab

SAN DIEGO: A Muslim woman has allegedly been denied service in a bank in California for wearing a Islamic headscarf, prompting a civil rights
group to take up the issue with the US department of justice.

The woman, Amal Hersi, hails from Somalia. “I felt like a criminal. I felt humiliated. I felt ashamed,” said Hersi.

Hersi said she was waiting in line at the Navy Federal Credit Union in Mission Valley when she said she was stopped by an employee.

“So she goes, ‘Ma’am, could you follow me?’ And at that point I was like what did I do wrong?” said Hersi.

Hersi said the reason was because she wore a traditional Muslim scarf. “For her to approach me in front of 40 people and they’re actually looking at me thinking, you know, what’s wrong with her or why is she being singled out,” she said. Even after telling the employee she wore the scarf for religious reasons, she was asked to remove it.

Responding to the charge, the bank said: “In the interest of security and safety for our members and employees — hats, hoods and sunglasses must be removed when entering the branch office”.

“Special consideration for cultural and religious garments is under the discretion of the branch management,” it said, adding that it is making inquiries into the recent incident.

“Under this bizarre and discriminatory policy, no Muslim woman wearing a head scarf, no Sikh man wearing a turban, no Jewish man wearing a yarmulke, no Catholic nun wearing a habit, no cancer survivor wearing a scarf, no Amish woman wearing a bonnet, and no blind person wearing sunglasses may enter a Navy Federal Credit Union branch nationwide,” said public relations director Edgar Hopida of Council for American-Islamic Relations, an NGO looking into the incident.

“We call on the US department of justice to investigate this disturbing case and Navy Federal’s apparently unconstitutional policy and to ensure that the religious rights of all customers are maintained,” Hopida added.

Bank refuses to serve woman in hijab-US-World-The Times of India

**MeMock** · 04-02-2009, 08:04 AM

I agree with the bank.

Only thing I think they should have done differently is to have a little print out showing what is not allowed in the bank, helmets, balaclavas etc and simply hand it to her in the cue so as not to make a fuss and cause embarrassment.

**Mid** · 04-02-2009, 08:56 AM

yep , agree with the bank

obviously could have been handled better .

“Under this bizarre and discriminatory policy, no Muslim woman wearing a head scarf, no Sikh man wearing a turban, no Jewish man wearing a yarmulke, no Catholic nun wearing a habit, no cancer survivor wearing a scarf, no Amish woman wearing a bonnet, and no blind person wearing sunglasses may enter a Navy Federal Credit Union branch nationwide,” said public relations director Edgar Hopida of Council for American-Islamic Relations, an NGO looking into the incident.

wot a load of ...................

free to wear the hijab under the same principle the bank is free to deny access , didn't deny service as it didn't get that far .

**BugginOut** · 04-02-2009, 09:11 AM

Let's also not confuse a hijab with a burka. A hijab is just a scarf.

According to this policy you can't even wear a baseball cap inside the bank. Imagine what would happen to an Isaan lady with a wash cloth on her head.

**MeMock** · 04-02-2009, 09:14 AM

They take it off.

Put a big sign out the front so that the customer has a choice before entering however.

**Mid** · 04-02-2009, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by BugginOut

Let's also not confuse a hijab with a burka. A hijab is just a scarf.

According to this policy you can't even wear a baseball cap inside the bank. Imagine what would happen to an Isaan lady with a wash cloth on her head.

valid point , IF her face and eyes where CLEARLY visible I retract my comments .

**Rural Surin** · 04-02-2009, 09:28 AM

Wonder what the policy is concerning Levi's?

**Panda** · 04-02-2009, 09:30 AM

What about beards?

**Rural Surin** · 04-02-2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by BugginOut

Let's also not confuse a hijab with a burka. A hijab is just a scarf.

According to this policy you can't even wear a baseball cap inside the bank. Imagine what would happen to an Isaan lady with a wash cloth on her head.

Well if that's the case, regarding such head dress as a baseball cap, I could imagine that this is allowed continuously. Baseball caps are almost national dress in the states...chances are it slips through. Though I can't speak from personal experience nor direct knoweldge of these things, this is just educated speculation.

**Rural Surin** · 04-02-2009, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Panda

What about beards?

Actually Panda, it's not the beard - but instead your olive/dark skin that might be suspect.

**mediamanbkk** · 04-02-2009, 09:40 AM

What do the women with Burkas have as a passport Photograph I wonder?

**blackgang** · 04-02-2009, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Mid

valid point , IF her face and eyes where CLEARLY visible I retract my comments

I will withdraw mine for that reason even before I post em.

Originally Posted by Panda

What about beards?

I don't think you are capable, but if you are then grow one if you want,, and if you do and rob a bank you will still have to take time to shave it off if it was a disguise.

**Texpat** · 04-02-2009, 11:57 AM

I'd tell that bitch to move to London if she wants to shove her cultural bullshit down an adopted country's throat.

**Rattanaburi** · 04-02-2009, 01:11 PM

We'll she could try an Islamic bank or another country. If she were treated unfairly for her beliefs I would say sue. She wasn't. She should just go back to her own country if she can't accept someone just trying to be cautious.

Oh, and she can take her 15 kids with her!

**barbaro** · 04-02-2009, 01:29 PM

Muslims are kooks. The same thing happened in Florida when a woman in a burqa refused to take off her full face veil for her Driver's License picture, citing here religion.

The DOL refused to issue her a license without a face picture, which is the regulation, and she sued. I think she lost.

Whakos, these nutz are.

**Lily** · 04-02-2009, 01:39 PM

^But, by all accounts, this woman was just wearing a headscarf.

**Panda** · 04-02-2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Lily

^But, by all accounts, this woman was just wearing a headscarf.

Yea, but she looked like a Muzzie. Could have had a bomb strapped to her chest.
Never trust anyone wearing a head scarf. Especially cancer patients.

what about people wearing wigs?

**good2bhappy** · 04-02-2009, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

and no blind person wearing sunglasses

That takes the bisquit!

**larvidchr** · 04-02-2009, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Lily

^But, by all accounts, this woman was just wearing a headscarf.

By what accounts? even hijabs is pulled up over the nose and fastened in one side by some or worn in a manner that only just shows the eyes nose and mouth but not thr rest of your facial structure, this is a security issue not a discrimination issue, up to the bank I say to make the call in every single case.

**blackgang** · 04-02-2009, 02:30 PM

Makes no difference anyway, it is their bank they own it and there should be a sign as is in most business places in the states "WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE" and to me that circumvents any of this discrimination shit, don't have to have no reason other than they don't want to serve you and to get your ass out.

**Mid** · 04-02-2009, 02:48 PM

circumvents any of this discrimination shit

be excellent if it did , reality is that promotes discrimination and is the root of why we are where we are now , not the prettiest place by a long shot .

**Panda** · 04-02-2009, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by blackgang

Makes no difference anyway, it is their bank they own it and there should be a sign as is in most business places in the states "WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE" and to me that circumvents any of this discrimination shit, don't have to have no reason other than they don't want to serve you and to get your ass out.

A bit like it used to be for the BLACK folks.

**blackgang** · 04-02-2009, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Panda

A bit like it used to be for the BLACK folks.

Just how the fuck do you know how it used to be for the BLACK folks,, don't tell me that you are also and exoert on being a nigger as well as a Pali, a Paki and most likely a Pollock and a Wop too. And also about the most negative asshole I have ever had the misfortune to have [Known?]
You are sure one bleeding heart asshole, are you sleeping with LILY??

**Lily** · 04-02-2009, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by blackgang

Just how the fuck do you know how it used to be for the BLACK folks,

Hey Blackgang, there are other countries in the world besides the US of A, I know that is hard for you to get your little brain around, but it is so, and some of those countries had black people too!

Get your head out of your bum!

**Boon Mee** · 04-02-2009, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by Texpat

I'd tell that bitch to move to London if she wants to shove her cultural bullshit down an adopted country's throat.

Got that right, Tex!
Imagine if a farang woman showed up at a bank in Saudia wearing a pair of shorts!

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