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POPSA Pak Weekly SpotsCreepingTalibanInfluence -< "Whether from ignorance of Islam or out of fear of our religion’s self-appointed spokesmen, whose number is legion, more and more seemingly sensible and rational urbanites are falling prey to extraordinary appearance changes. Sitting across from me as I write this in an office is a woman with her head draped in a dupatta. If that were all, nobody would give her a second glance. But she has a strip of cloth tied across her mouth and nose. The cloth would look like a bandage over a wound on her face if it weren’t so brightly printed. No doubt these clothing alterations and affectations shout out the wearer’s identity from a mile away: ‘I am an extremist Muslim.’ It is mainly the sadhus of India (who are largely unclothed), and Catholic monks and nuns uniformed in all-enveloping habits who make fashion statements about their religion.