Poll question is below.

Do you feel an apology from the mall was warranted?

Unfortunately, our post 9/11 mentality kicks in whenever we see someone wearing traditional Muslim garb.

I strongly believe it's a natural reaction to the events of that day and to the public service announcements telling us that “if you see something, say something!”…or are we just being a bunch of insensitive xenophobes?

We live in one of the most diverse states in the nation, and one that has a significant Muslim population.

So it’s getting more and more commonplace to see Muslims dressed in their traditional garb.

However, one security guard, depending on how you look at it, was being overzealous in doing his job in telling a Muslim woman shopper at Bridgewater Commons to remove her traditional niqab…prompting an apology from mall management.

A firm that handles security at Bridgewater Commons Mall has apologized to a Muslim woman who was told by a guard to remove a face covering while shopping, according to WABC-7.

Wakeelah Salaam of Elizabeth said she was approached by the same security guard twice Saturday while shopping at the mall. She contacted police and then left the Somerset County mall because she felt uncomfortable, the report said.

Salaam was born in the United States and raised Muslim. She wears a niqab, which covers her entire face except for her eyes when she's in public. Salaam was also wearing a long dress, known as a hijab.

The guard will undergo "additional training in cultural diversity," the security firm said.

Channel 7’s report continues:

Salaam mused: "I felt threatened, like I couldn't walk and shop in the mall without this man asking me to take off my niqab," Salaam added.

After speaking with police, Salaam decided to leave Bridgewater Commons, which she had visited before with no problems. After Eyewitness News got involved, an executive with the company that runs Bridgewater Commons' security called Salaam to say he's sorry.

"We sincerely apologize", said Donald Lantz, "Our security guard has received additional training in cultural diversity. We respect her right to dress according to her religious beliefs and she is welcome in our mall anytime."

Salaam says she appreciates the apology, but next time she needs to go shopping, she will probably choose another mall.

God knows! You trip over them in Jersey!

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM