Cover Your Hair, Ladies...Or Else!

Continuing to insist that it is not imposing Sharia law on the people of Gaza, the Strip's most senior judge (appointed by Hamas) Abdul Raouf Halabi has ordered that female attorneys appear in court with their heads covered and wear dark colored cloaks under their black robes. Halabi said:

"Showing a woman's hair is forbidden. We will not allow people to corrupt morals. This will improve work in the courts."

But Hamas is not imposing Sharia law in Gaza.

Female lawyer Subyiya Juma said:

"This is dangerous - it's a clear violation of the law, it is taking away our personal freedoms - and by whom? The very person who is meant to defend our freedoms."

Earlier this month, a woman journalist in Gaza, Asma Al-Ghul complained that police tried to arrest her on a Gaza beach for dressing immodestly, and for laughing in public. According to al-Ghul, the talk is that girls from 1st to 12th grade will be forced to wear the hijab.

But Hamas is not imposing Sharia law in Gaza.

In December, the Hamas government voted in favor of allowing the courts to hand down violent Sharia based punishments such as whipping, severing hands, crucifixion and hanging. According to the bill, anyone caught drinking or selling wine would receive 40 lashes. Anyone caught stealing red-handed would have their right hand cut off.

But Hamas is not imposing Sharia law in Gaza.

So what do you think the punishment will be for female attorneys who fail to cover their hair and wear the dark cloaks?

I'm guessing crucifixion. Virgins, I assume, will be raped first, of course. We certainly wouldn't want anyone to accidently getting into heaven for free by being executed as a virgin.