It's rude to stare...

...and now it's a 'hate crime', too! At least, that's what new advice given to pupils and teachers in Scotland suggests:

PUPILS and teachers have been told by an official body not to stare at Muslims for fear of causing offence.

A document intended to educate against religious intolerance and sectarianism urges teachers to “make pupils aware of the various forms of Islamophobia, ie stares, verbal abuse, physical abuse”.

But Learning Teaching Scotland (LTS), which issued the advice to schools north of the border, has been criticised by politicians and Muslim leaders for going “over the top”.

The document states: “Some Muslims may choose to wear clothing or display their faith in a way that makes them visible. For example, women may be wearing a headscarf, and men might be wearing a skullcap. Staring or looking is a form of discrimination as it makes the other person feel uncomfortable, or as though they are not normal.”

(Hat-tip: Dhimmi Watch)

So, it's not just a prolonged stare that constitutes 'discrimination'. Even looking at a Muslim can now be a hate crime. So the good dhimmis must keep their eyes on the ground, never presuming to look at their Muslim betters. What is particularly worrying here, though, is that this is another example of pro-active dhimmitude. Rather than wait for Muslims to kick up a fuss about something (and, let's face it, you wouldn't have to wait long), LTS have decided to preempt the complaint. Not a good sign.

I have to say, also, that whenever I see a Muslim man competing to win the "look like a terrorist" prize, or a Muslim woman disguised as a tent, I tend not only to stare disapprovingly, but also to tut to myself. I guess I must just be an incurable bigot.