Israel Matzav

Women of Hamastan forced to wear head scarves

On Sunday, it was reported that a judge in Gaza forced a lawyer to don a head scarf in order to appear in court. Now it is reported that the decree goes beyond the courts. Gaza is becoming more and more like Iran and Saudi Arabia. All women are now required to wear head scarves.

The London-based newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi reported that the Gaza government approved a series of laws meant to guard Muslim morals.

This joins an increasing number of reports by Gaza residents, who say modesty patrols have been forcing women to wear head coverings, especially at Gaza's beaches, and that they are inspecting isolated cars in order to prevent unmarried couples from being alone together.

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According to Al-Quds al-Arabi, representatives from several Hamas government ministries, such as the Interior Ministry, Ministry of Religion, Military Advocate's Office as well as the Police have convened in special workshops and formulated the "General Moral List," which most likely will be authorized piecemeal.

Sheikh Yusef Farhat, a senior official in Hamas' Ministry of Religion, told the London newspaper that the list includes clauses meant to protect society's general moral fiber. Items include the forbidding "improper driving near women," most likely pertaining to honking and whistling at women, "the prevention of lust-inducing sights in the streets," which will ban mannequins in storefronts, and "prohibiting crowded events in order to prevent men and women from touching each other." The Sheikh explained that the implementation of these laws will be based on "instruction and understanding."

A Hamas official said that the items on the list already exist in the Palestinian legal system, but have only now been collected into one directory.

Change!

Well, at least Nancy Pelosi will fit right in there. Heh.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:17 PM