Is a woman's "veil" considered a mask?

Yeah, I don’t know. But now that you mention it. I wonder. Do they ever take family photos at home without the veil? If they do than I don’t understand why they wouldn’t take a photo for driver license.
I know some years back I use to see women in the states wear veils but that was before 9-ll. I can’t say I remember seeing any wear veils more recently in public.

Pandora, thanks. we still have veil wearers in Tennessee. like you, they seem to be fading into the sunset and thats good. the veils are a perfect disguise to hide ones face from the camers, when a crime is being committed.

Considering the unreliability of eyewitness testimony in criminal cases anyway, as well as the prevalence of cameras and other forensic evidence, I don’t see that masks or veils are a major problem for law enforcement.

How many women do you have in veils committing crimes in Tennessee, anyway? Not many, I’d guess. I’d say tinted car windows are a much bigger problem, and those are a lot more prevalent, too. I hate to say it, but this sounds like bigotry (though I’m not accusing you, @john65pennington) masquerading as “concern for public safety”.

I think if it was considered a mask, then it would be called a mask, and not a veil.

@CyanoticWasp: Make no mistake, this is a bigoted question masquerading as concern for public safety.

@KatawaGrey, I don’t think this is a bigoted question. It faces every single state’s licensing requirements. If your religion requires you to wear a veil, and the state drivers licensing requires a full face photo in order to get a driver’s license, are you discriminating against a veil wearer by requiring them to violate religious laws by showing their face in a driver’s license or ID photo? Should you issue a photo ID to someone that you can’t physically identify? If you do it for one person on the basis of religion, should anyone be able to get a photo ID with their face covered?

France just recently banned burqa style veils.

@BarnacleBill: The question wasn’t about driver’s licenses. the question was about whether or not a veil is considered a mask and whether or not people should be allowed to wear them.

The question wasn’t about ID photos or licensing. It was about wearing a veil in public. If we want to get ultra-technical about this, we could talk about all of the various cosmetic changes people make to their appearance, from wigs and makeup to colored contacts, temporary and permanent tattoos, jewelry and piercings.

Okay, i will clear the air, concerning my question. two females were arrested for shoplifting. both wore veils. both declined to remove their veils for a police mugshot. their veils were forcibily removed and the photos taken. it does not make any difference if the veils are cover for a drivers license or a camera videio in a robbery. the point in question, covers all of these questions you have asked. if the veil is illegal, its illegal and that applies to all situations. this is America and we do not wear veils, so is it considered a mask, in your opinion?

This is not a bigoted question and the asker is not a bigot. get over it.

@john65pennington: Ah, yes, you mentioned that situation already and I believe I addressed it there too. It is illegal to wear something on your face or head for taking pictures for official documents such as driver’s licenses or a mugshot is illegal but that doesn’t mean it should be illegal in all situations. With that logic, it should be illegal to wear hats. I couldn’t smile for my passport picture. I guess that means it should be illegal to smile at all.

Also, the high number of questions you ask about people who aren’t white, God-fearing Americans leads me to believe that you are a bigot. :)

Oh, please. There are Muslim Americans and therefore we do wear veils in America. I’m going to start to wear one just to make a point.

Your bigotry is offensive to me as an American. Your thinly veiled (pun intended) venom is getting boring.

I would say any face coverings.

I have said this before and I will say it again. If I am working the late shift in a store and someone comes in with head and face covering with only eyes showing, I am nervous. I would guess not many muslim ladies are criminals but who knows if it is a muslim lady under there. Most shops demand I remove my motorcycle helmet before I enter a store, is that discriminatory against motorcycle riders? Why don’t we cry bigotry in that instance?

With regard to this question, the apple dictionary says a veil is a piece of fine material worn to protect or conceal the face. That is the same function as a mask, so I don’t see the difference. If you come into my store, leave your veils, masks, helmets, balaclavas, etc. on the doorstep, you can put it back on when you leave.

Yes I do think a veil is a mask. Just don’t know what, or who, is underneath it.
A college in the UK has banned wearing of veils. See college bans veils. There has been an outcry, but if you see the reasons why they have done this it really makes sense.

Partyparty, i read that article and i totally concur with their statements. thank you. john

@john65pennington I will let you know what, if anything, happens about this. I think the whole of the UK is waiting with anticipation as to whether this ban is upheld.
If it is upheld, then I am sure that many areas will follow suit.

@partyparty – I don’t see how anyone could argue with that sort of logic. But I am sure, some will.

I think any god who has so little to do that it makes up little rules about covering one’s face and hair or chrome on their car or eating meat on Friday or pigs or meat with dairy or wearing condoms or avoiding bringing another child into the world to starve has too damned much time on its hands and should worry about the real problems in this world such as the starving kids and cancer and war. She/he/it should read “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” and get a real life.

@rooeytoo So very well said, I agree.
All seems to have gone quiet about the article I posted, but the college seems to be adhering to its rules.