In the West, the “right” of Muslim women to cover their faces is uniformly presented as a civil rights and religious freedom issue. In reality, as this story from the good side of Pakistan’s double game shows, it is a security issue. “Pakistani Police Thwart Attack,” by Zahid Hussain in the Wall Street Journal, September 16 (thanks to Rosanne):
ISLAMABAD — Islamic militants clad head-to-toe in women’s burqas attempted to attack an oil-storage facility in Karachi, raising fears that insurgents are fleeing northwestern Pakistan and infiltrating the nation’s main business hub.
Three gunmen disguised as women tried to enter the high-security terminal used by oil companies late Monday night, Waseem Ahmed, the city police chief, told Pakistani television on Tuesday. Police say they suspect the assailants disguised themselves as women to try to slip past security checkpoints.
Pakistani police officers examined weapons and ammunition left behind by attackers in Karachi, Pakistan, on Tuesday.
When stopped by security guards, the militants opened fire, killing one guard. The assailants fled during a gun battle, leaving behind the burqas, purses and hand grenades.
“We suspect they wanted to carry out a big terrorist attack which our prompt police action thwarted,” said Mr. Ahmed in an interview with Geo TV Pakistan….