When in Rome, do as the Romans do, when in Canada, do as Canadians do - or NOT. There isn't an anti-racial bone in my body but this has nothing to do with that and I have to say, it really bothers me.
When the average Joe boards a plane in Canada, it's gotten to the point where we are practically strip searched, well that may be exaggerating a tad but the process is pretty thorough. The last time I flew I had my purse rummaged through, I went through the scanner, was frisked down and even had to take my hair clip out so they could see I wasn't hiding anything in it. When we have our passport photos taken they have to be "picture perfect." No shine, no smiling, just a clear and full facial view. And that's fine I guess if it's all in the line of security and ensuring we get from point A to point B safely.
But why aren't the same rules applicable to everyone who departs on a flight within Canada?
This is not to stir the anger pot or to be anti-Muslim, but currently in Canada, fully veiled Muslim women can breeze through security without removing their veils (niqabs). We aren't talking just head covers either. These fully cover the face leaving just the eyes to see.
When we get on a plane we take off our shoes, belts, jewellery, give up hand lotions, tweezers and whatever else might look like a potential threat and they get to saunter on through? Something is wrong with that picture.
"We don't have concerns with that," said one spokesperson for the Canadian Air Transport Security Agency. "WE have concerns with the fact if the person has any metal under their clothing." Naturally, but I can bet you if you or I walked up to security with a mask on our faces we would promptly be asked to take it off or told to get lost.
Transport Canada insists that the airline must be able to verify the identity of all passengers before they board a plane but in all honesty, can you really without a shadow of doubt know that the person behind the veil is who they say they are? I say not.
If people want to wear their niqab in public, fine, that is their personal choice, but as far as I'm concerned, when we are boarding an aircraft, the same rules should apply to ALL who are boarding the aircraft.
