Hi Mrrrzy,

considering the imprisonment regulations in German institutes - might be the same elsewhere - shoestrings and belts are confiscated to prevent the prisoners from suicide by hanging. Since the detainees don't have their turbans any more - if ever they had in combat, pictures show the typical Afghan caps in most cases -, they shouldn't be allowed to use bedsheets for turbans, since bedsheets are long enough for hanging themselves. This isn't the case with towels - they are too short. Turbans aren't prescripted by religion - I know that imprisoned muslims often try to get some goodies they are not entitled to by referring to their religion. A towel is sufficient to cover the head either as protection against the sun or while performing the prescripted prayers.

Wilfried