We’re all supposed to be equal under the law, but as Jon Stewart noted, if recent news stories about anti-Islamic discrimination is any indication, lately that hasn’t been applying to Muslims in the United States.
Samantha Elauf, who claimed Abercrombie and Fitch wouldn’t hire her because she wore a hijab, recently won her case against the clothing retailer in the Supreme Court. Additionally, Northwestern University chaplain Tahera Ahmad says she was discriminated against when she was refused an unopened can of soda on a flight, on the grounds that it could be used as a “weapon.”
Sure, Elauf’s win is a victory in Stewart’s eyes (even if the reward is being able to work at Abercrombie and Fitch). But Muslims in America still have a long way to go.
After Ahmad’s case made headlines, Stewart wondered how a soda can could even be used as a weapon, which senior religious correspondent Hasan Minhaj was happy to help, with a tongue-in-cheek explanation of how Muslims are “crafty” when it comes to making weapons.
“Anything on a plane is a weapon to a Muslim,” Minhaj said. “The corner of a Dorito chip can slice the neck. You think that seat cushion is a flotation device? You are wrong—that is a smothering pillow. You see a SkyMall, I see a paper-cut katana.”
Screengrab via The Daily Show