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An airport in Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape has emerged as a new discrimination station. This after a security notice posted on Facebook sparked outrage, especially among the Muslim community.
SECURITY NOTICE SEEN AS DISCRIMINATION
Gqeberha airport, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, has come under fire for what has been described as an ill-worded and offensive security notice singling out Muslim women’s headdress, as reported by IOL.
The airport announced via Facebook that people wearing any kind of headgear including head wraps, hijabs, burkas, or niqabs would undergo a physical search. This is as part of their security measures. Many perceived this as discrimination as all examples are relevant to Muslim women in particular.
‘We appreciate your co-operation in ensuring a secure travel experience for all,’ the notice read. ‘It is mandatory for all individuals wearing head wraps, hijabs, burkas or niqabs to undergo a physical search, and any fixed headgear will undergo a pat down.’
Notice on Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport’s Facebook pageCHIEF DAWID STUURMAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport is within a five minutes’ drive from the central business district. The airport currently handles more than 1,2 million passengers per year and over 60 000 scheduled flights.
WORDING SLAMMED AS DISCRIMINATION
Markedly, a disclaimer at the bottom of the notice states that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) does not target people ‘on the basis of their race, gender, attire, religion, look or place of origin’. However, the contents of the security notice seems to do just that. Muslim activist Moeshfieka Botha emphasised the importance of language and that the wording used seemed to target Muslim women.
“It literally mentions hijabs, burkas or niqabs – all dress codes for Muslim women. Why not include a nun’s habit or a Sikh’s turban? Why not use more inclusive wording and just state religious head coverings? Why specifically target female Islamic attire?”
Moeshfieka Botha
Botha said that she is a frequent flyer and as a Muslim, she wears a hijab. Additionally, she said that she does not mind being patted down by a female official. However, she stated that there is no reason for Muslim women to remove hijabs as it takes time and care to put back into place. Botha believes this infringes on the democratic rights of people who choose to wear religious head coverings, i.e. discrimination.
source:Discrimination in disguise at Gqeberha airport sparks outrage (thesouthafrican.com)
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