I forwarded this enquiry to a colleague in the Centre for the Study of
Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations here at Birmingham, and this
is the response I received. I hope it helps.
Meline Nielsen
------- Forwarded message follows -------
From: "Prof JS NIELSEN" <[log in to unmask]>
Organization: The University of Birmingham
To: "M NIELSEN" <[log in to unmask]>
Date sent: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 12:38:24 +0100
Subject: Re: (Fwd) taking photos of Muslim women
Priority: normal
I've checked with both my Muslim colleagues and their view is
unanimous. Muslim women wearing face covering (niqab) should be
required to show their faces for ID purposes. Covering the face is
not an obligation (wajib) under Islamic law and there is ample
prophetic precedence (Sunnah) to back this.
The International Islamic University in Malaysia (where Jabal
taught) was unequivocal in applying this ruling, especially when
their President was a Saudi scholar, and it did not matter whether
the official requiring the check was male or female. Given
sensitivities it would, of course, be wise to leave it to female
officials to do the checking.
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