Faith and security in clash over clothing

OMAHA A debate between security and religious practices is taking hold after an Omaha woman tried to enter a Security National Bank branch near 78th and Cass, but was turned away because she was wearing a hijab.

According to the woman, it was her first time going into the Security National Bank in that location because she had gone to a job interview. She noted that she wore the traditional headscarf for the interview without problem, so when she was asked to remove it to enter a bank she was shocked.

In a post that has begun to go viral on Facebook, a friend described the woman as afraid – thinking she had done something wrong. She also noted the woman was in tears.

The woman was told if she didn’t remove her headscarf she wouldn’t be allowed to enter the building.

Eventually the police were called. That’s when the woman was told that it’s legal for the bank to keep her from entering.

WOWT 6 News has been in contact with the woman, however, the ACLU has recently gotten involved. While the woman is not officially being represented by the ACLU at this time, it’s possible that there may be a case, and at their request further inquiries about how the situation unfolded are not available at this time.

Security National Bank issued a written statement about the event after several hundred people began debating whether the right decision was made.

Lindsey Miltner, the Security National Bank director of marketing; writes, “(the incident) was in no way intended to be discriminatory. If it caused offense in any way, we are truly sorry.”

Miltner explained that the bank has a policy for all walk-in customers to remove all face, eye and head covering to allow employees and security cameras to have a clear view of each person entering the bank. The statement explains it’s a safety precaution that leads bank employees to regularly ask individuals remove their hats, scarves and sunglasses.