BEARD AND TERRORISM

Beards in religion

Although beard has been observed in all the societies of the world but only Muslims
have been made target due to it. Since the times immemorial beard has been
observed by humans.

Greek mythology

Even the Greek mythology reveals that Zeus and Poseidon were with beards. Beard
has played a role in almost all the religions of the world. The beard is also a symbol
of an itinerant and abstemious lifestyle.

Beard in Hinduism

Hinduism is considered one of the oldest religions of the world. Its followers keep
beard according to their dharma they follow. Hindu priests are often long-haired or
unshaven .their beard is according to their gods whom they worship. The idols they
worship are even without moustaches, as a symbol of nobility. Only, ‘rakhsas’ and
‘asuras’ have moustaches and they are symbol of evil. Almost all the spiritual
personalities as are called ‘Sadhus’ and ‘yogis’ have beards and those very long.

Beard in Judaism

‘’The Bible states that you shall not round the corners of your heads; neither shalt
thou mar the corners of thy beard” Poskim explains this in the words that Jews
should not shave their beards with razor. The latest poskim have set forth the verdict
that shaving is totally forbidden even with the scissors. The Zohar or the Jewish
mysticism ascribes sanctity to the beard therefore the Hasidic Jews do not shave
even do not trim their beards.

Christianity

The Christians portray Jesus always with a beard from the fourth century. In
paintings and statues most of the Old Testament Biblical characters such as Moses
and Abraham and Jesus' are with beards. The disciples as St Peter and others, as
John the Baptist, John the Apostle are bearded.

In Eastern Christianity, the priests wear beard and many catholic believers think it a
sign of religious norms.
Islam

Muhammad PBUH favored growing a beard and Trimming the mustaches. Almost
All Muslim scholars are of the view that wearing beard is commendable by the
Prophet. Some of them are of the view that it is obligatory and shaving it is a sin. If a
Muslim shaves his beard he is considered sinful but is not ostracized from the pail of
Islam.

Beard in Sikhism

In this religion beard is a vital part of the male human kept as such and special care
should be taken for its look after. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru made it
necessary part of Sikhism. Rastafarian Movement considers beard as pact with god.
In Taoism beard is also grown. The above survey clearly reveals the truth that beard
is part of human body and almost all the religion has a special reverence for it. Why
the beard of a Jew is respectable and that of a Muslim make him terrorist? A Sikh
never shaves his beard and also many Hindu yogis and sadhus do the same, why
they are not terrorist? The beard has nothing with this terrible enigma of humanity,
the terrorism. There are all religious communities involved in the extremism, it does
not matter they wear beard or not.