Amish Battling Beard Thieves

Something weird is happening in Ohio's Amish country. Police are probing several incidents in which groups of Amish men allegedly forced their way into the homes of other members of the Amish community and cut off the hair and beards of the people inside, the Wheeling News-Register reports—the victims include a 74-year-old man and 13-year-old girl. The county sheriff believes the thugs were acting under orders from an Amish bishop, who demanded that they bring the hair to him to prove that his instructions had been followed. A truck and horse trailer believed to be used by the attackers are being combed for evidence.

newser

...and now for your entertainment:

In The Sharia Path

Philadelphia men, mainly African-Americans, have adopted the style of wearing long, old-world-style beards, sometimes pairing them with calf-length trousers and long shirts -all looks inspired by traditional Muslim attire.

"Muslims will wear the beard as a way to pay respect to the prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that all the Abrahamic prophets wear beards," Zulfiqar told me. "It's a sign of piety. It's a sign of religiosity, a sign that you're trying to walk the path that the prophet walked." He added, "I think a lot of people in Philly do it because it's become a part of the culture, urban culture in particular. It's now part of Philly."

:: oh joy! ::