A Muslim family says a Virginia hospital told them they couldn't visit a newborn baby because they looked 'scary'.
Ahmed Zahr's wife had just given birth to a baby girl in early December at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, where his parents, aunt and uncle went to visit.
When they arrived at the birthing center on the third-floor, they were approached by a security guard, reported News4.
'He screams and he says: "You're not allowed to be here!" And then he said: "You know, you look scary",' the aunt, Arwa Zahr, told the station.
The Zahr family believes the security guard was referring to the long black veils worn by Arwa and her mother.
Both women were wearing a niqab, which is a veil that is worn by some Muslim women for reasons of modesty.
The niqab covers the entire face - unlike the hijab, which just covers the hair - leaving an opening slit for the eyes.
There is no law in the US that bans the wearing of the niqab, though wearers may be required to unveil their face during a traffic stop, for a driver's license photo or at an airport.
[TOP RATED COMMENT 3263 votes] They do look scary. The guards job is to protect the property, how can he do that when he can't tell who or what is coming in.
[2ND 2651] Baby theft is real. No one should be on a neonatal ward without their face visible in security cameras.
[3RD 2437] Hard to argue with the hospitals logic.
[4TH 2083] You need to know who is visiting a mother and baby unit. What if a child went missing. Your face should be on show its security.
[5TH 1923] The hospital needed to do what any bank would do and tell them that disguises aren't allowed for security reasons. [Daily Mail] Read more
