imagining how the church can reorient around mission

I knew I stood in the wrong line almost
immediately.  There were several
Irish couples (fifty-ish) and in front of them a young Muslim family of five.  The wife wore a "hijab" with full-face cover and I was wondering if
she was going to get through without disclosing who she was.  I wasn’t the only one.  As she went forward (with her family)
literally every one of the Irish folk careened their necks to see what would
happen.  Well, after a lengthy
wait, with lots of hand motions and consternation, she turned discretely toward
the customs-officer and revealed her face.

6a00e552b8e36088340120a7b5f6a5970b-320wiOk, are you ready for what happened
next?  Wait, wait…ok.  The Irish people in line literally
applauded.  It was a public
outburst.  The young woman, after re-positioning her scarf, turn and looked back with a surprised and embarrassed look.  I was standing there not
really knowing what to think or feel – kind of staggered.  To be honest, I didn’t want her to get through
without disclosure for security reasons (regardless of religion or heritage), but
I was taken aback by the stridency of the white Europeans.  Standing behind one of the couples I
listened in as the husband  said to his wife, “Dear, we have to make a stand.”  The same guy, as he went up to show his Passport leaned into the guard and said loud enough for most to hear, "Bravo!!!"  

 

2 Responses

  1. Question is: did they applaud the security guard – or the young woman? The man you overheard admired the guard; I admire the woman who was willing to yield to societal protocols that create a sense of safety – especially from some of her fellow-believers.