Bearded Flying

Here's a story about a Muslim woman in NJ getting harassed with terrorist comments for wearing a hijab.    One would think (or hope) that by now, at least in freakin New Jersey (being a blue state NYC neighbor, and PACKED with Desis for that matter) that one could avoid such confrontations... But alas, the uneducated, pathetic scum of society still lurk at our front doorsteps....

Even for me, since I have been rocking the bearded look (purely for a change in image and to see how it runs with the ladies mind you--I aint going 'reluctant fundamentalist' on anyone), people make little terrorist jokes all the time.  Of course all these are people who know me in the hospital, and I'll laugh and joke with them.  But surely there is some underlying truth in their musings no?  I mean lets be honest, anytime someone sees a Middle Eastern or South Asian guy with a beard, the terrorist bell goes off in their head, whether they actually believe it or not... It is the day in age we live in, but it is the truth.. "That dude's a terrorist."  Say it or not, it is still processed!  This is proven by the fact that everyone (faculty, collegaues, social workers, my family) keep telling me to shave the beard before I get on the plane for Pakistan!  Some more jokingly than others, but all with some degree of seriousness. I suppose it would be wise to go clean shaven, not opening myself up to more "random searches."  I mean as it is I can't do curb side check-in because of "your name man!" as the clerk told me months ago.  But fuck that, why should I change because of the twisted racial views that have become the norm in today's society?  Besides, I'm in NYC, not freakin Texas. Otherwise I'd definitely have to be wearing my "I am not a Terrorist" T-Shirt. (It really exists)  Plus, if I go to Pakistan with my medical degree and a U.S. passport, I can fly back with a wife no problem.... If I go with a beard, that sets me up for two of 'em!

Though now that I think about it, being a bearded Muslim doctor definitely does not help my suspiciousness at the airport...
 

Comments

[Saida Qureshi]

I have a personal friend who's gone all "religious" (as she puts it!). Basically from jeans to a hijab...and from everyday conversation to trying to insert InshAllah, MashAllah and SubhanAllah in everything.(I sometimes sit there quietly listening to her and trying to count how many times and how many ways she can insert them; and it has on occasions gone into the hundreds!!)

Anyway, the point (lol!) I was trying to make is that even though she has gone religious she has stated that she will not marry a "brother" with a beard. So, even with a or without a beard WATCH OUT...

And personally having one wife is bad enough, having two...

But, I will conclude by saying InshAllah you will MashAllah have a lovely wife and when everyone will see her they will say SubhanAllah kitney pyari hai...

XX

[Saida Qureshi]

P.S Where you going in Pakistan?

[Salacious Samosa]

It is my humble opinon that you should wear a hijab, grow your beard long, wear your stethoscope and pack a tin of samosas for for your trip back to the homeland.

Do it for you Paki brothers and shishters. We're rooting for you.

S

[Suga]

I have moved to

http://moon786.wordpress.com/

[Tahseen]

Hi;
I flew into JFK last Friday; I was just visiting NY for the weekend. I live in London and wear Hijab...
On the plus side I didnt have to que with the regular people... However; I got taken aside and questioned for like 1/2 an hour, and the guy only let up because I looked like I was gonna start crying!
However when I was going home it was fine; so basically you only have to worry about ur beard on the way back in!

[basit]

It is my humble opinon that you should wear a hijab, grow your beard long, wear your stethoscope and pack a tin of samosas for for your trip back to the homeland.

Do it for you Paki brothers and shishters. We're rooting for you.