Q: Do you want it to be changed, to stay the way it is, or don't really care whether it's one way or the other?
A: I must say that I do not understand where some people get their information that the hijab and beards are against the law. The ban on the hijab was rescinded on 11 October 2007 after being deemed unconstitutional by the Administrative Court of Tunis. That being said, for all identification photos, Tunisian law requires that everyone be free from all things that show a religious association. That means that a women must take off her hijab and a man must be shaved or have his beard trimmed appropriately. This law also requires that Christians cannot wear jewelry or attire that bear a cross or a crucifix, or anything that denotes their faith. Jews are prohibited from wearing anything that depicts their faith as well, such as a Star of David or the Kippah. This is done so that everyone, no matter their faith, is on equal footing and their can be no discrimination against someone based on their religion. If you notice, Identity papers from Arab states (except Tunisia) all declare a persons religion. This has brought about discrimination and harassment against some. Tunisia came up with this ruling a very long time ago to avoid such discrimination. I do not have a problem with the way the law is. The fact remains that no matter what the laws says, there will be some who will always disagree. If you allow the hijab for example, there will be people against it, just as there are people against not allowing women to wear it for passport photos. In this time of religious persecution, discrimination, intolerance, and misunderstandings -- I think that any law that sets to put everyone on equal footing and attempt to stop the discrimination is a good law.