What an ingenious way for a disguise: wrap yourselves up in a burqa to rob a bank! Two armed men concealed themselves in a burqa, or long head-to-toe robes with veils worn by Muslim women, and promptly got away with $40,000 from a bank in Sarajevo. As the guards, staff and customers thought they were women, the robbers did not raise any suspicion until it was too late. The customers were made to lie on the floor while the daring robbers emptied tills and escaped with their loot.

The burqa, an outer sign of pious faith and submission to the teachings of Islam, is ironically used as a means for deceit, unlawful activity and personal gain. This is true of many religious symbols, rituals and practices in the world. One may not justify the other, despite appearances.