Guantanamo Proceedings Begin With Attorney In Hijab and Delay For Prayer

Facing the action by Congress blocking the trial of Guantanamo Bay inmates on U.S. soil, yesterday five inmates charged with the 9/11 attacks were arraigned in a military tribunal at Guantanamo.  The London Daily Mail reports that Walid bin Attash's attorney Cheryl Bormann, appeared in court wearing a Hijab (Islamic head scarf). She later explained that her client insists  she wear this clothing, and she always does so around him.  She also requested that other women at the hearing dress similarly so that the defendants do not have to avert their eyes "for fear of committing a sin under their faith."  At one point during the hearing defendant Ramzi Binalshibh delayed the proceedings by standing up and then kneeling on the courtroom floor and praying for several minutes, with a row of guards keeping close watch.