Muslim student body seeks to discuss hijab issue with Govt

SINGAPORE — The Fellowship of Muslim Students Association (FMSA) has called on the Government to form a committee for further discussion and engagement on the issue of donning the Muslim headscarf, or hijab, at certain workplaces, which has been a topic of debate since it was brought up at a forum on race in September.

The association — a non-profit organisation that works with Muslim youth — said in a statement yesterday that the Government can no longer maintain its long-held stance on this issue and there was a need for “an objective and honest appraisal” of the various positions held.

It also raised several issues which it felt required closer study, such as whether the concerns used to justify the ban on wearing the hijab at schools and some workplaces are “absolute and unchangeable”, and “whether there (is) any correlation or negative impact (on) social cohesion and job performance, with respect to individuals who wear (the headscarves) in a multi-ethnic environment”.

At the forum, a polytechnic lecturer had asked why nurses were barred from wearing the hijab, sparking a debate on whether front-line officers should be allowed to.

This was followed by an online petition championing the cause last month. It was removed after 12,405 signatures were collected.

Last week, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said wearing a hijab at the workplace would be “very problematic” in some professions that require employees to be in uniform.

The FMSA said there is a need to look for “creative solutions” which facilitate the wearing of the Muslim headscarf while meeting the requirements of a job, adding that there should be a clear time frame for reaching a resolution on the issue.