Until recently theological and grooming matters were the primary topics for pogonology: was Adam created with a beard; to use moustache wax or not; that sort of thing.

The US reaction to 9/11 gives new interest to other matters, however.

The media portrayed Afganistan as freed when the men could shave and the women show their faces. America shows its total dominance over Saddam by shaving his whiskers. Already the Arab world is picking up on this: recently the president of Yemen stated "we must shave our heads before the others do it for us."[1]

The French, under the guise of not promoting religion are stamping on all non-Christian religious displays in schools (and to look fair, some Christian religious displays). Beards for religious reasons (however do they determine?) are perhaps to be included.[2]

This seems to be an effort to portray beard wearing as a suspect attribute. It has as much truth in it as palm reading of course, but then the ignorant have faith in so much that is clearly bogus.


[1] The Obsession of Shaving
english.daralhayat.com/column...ry.html

[2] French ban may include beards and bandannas
straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/world...0.html