Headscarf ban for Muslim female hotel staff ‘imbecilic’: Minister

KUALA LUMPUR — A Malaysian minister on Tuesday (Nov 14) hit out at a policy by some Malaysian hotels barring Muslim female frontline staff from wearing headscarves, describing the move as “imbecilic” and “unconstitutional”.

At the same time, the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) has offered legal aid to those who want to file lawsuits to challenge the practice adopted by the international hotels.

Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz said the hotels’ policy — believed to have been in place for years — is insensitive to Muslims.

“This is a form of discrimination, because in our Constitution, it is clearly stated that there should not be any discrimination regardless of race or religion,” he said.

“To me, whoever wants to defend (the policy), claiming that this is SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) – I feel they are being imbecilic, especially if they are Malaysian citizens.

“This (wearing the headscarf) is part of our culture in Malaysia. Is being naked better than wearing the tudung at the (reception) counter?” a clearly incensed Mr Nazri said, in using the Malay word for the Muslim headscarf.

The issue arose after the Malaysian Labour Centre of the Union Network International claimed that some Muslim hotel employees had complained about being told to remove their headscarves. It said this was also happening to hospitality and tourism students applying for internships.

In a letter to the media, the centre called on Human Resource Minister Richard Riot to address the matter quickly.

Non-governmental organisation International Women’s Alliance for Family Institution and Quality Education also claimed that it has received dozens of similar complaints from Muslim women.

As a result, Islamic groups and political parties have accused the hotels of “Islamophobia”, while a deputy minister has demanded an explanation for the adoption of such a practice.

Amid the outcry, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) defended the hotels’ policy, saying that it is in accordance to international practice and is no way discriminatory, adding that Muslim staff could either work in non-frontline areas or go to hotels that allow Muslim frontline staff to wear the headscarf.

MAH Penang chapter president Khoo Boo Lim, however, said that no hotels in the state employs such a policy.

Mr Nazri on Tuesday demanded MAH to show him the alleged international guidelines that prohibits frontline female workers from wearing headscarves.

He also said that hotels have to respect local cultural practices if they want to operate in Malaysia.

“They have to respect (us) if they come here, why do they want to come here if they want to opt for such policies. What’s wrong (with wearing the tudung)?”.

The policy also come under criticism from DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo, who said such a practice violates the constitutional right to religious freedom.

Mr Gobind, who is a lawyer, described the international hotels’ policy as “unreasonable” and “insensitive” to the religious belief of Muslim women and urged Putrajaya to address the issue.

“If there is a need for a court ruling on the matter, I am prepared on behalf of the DAP, to offer legal assistance to those in need,” he said.

Weighing in on the issue, Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria said the policy is tantamount to insulting Islam.

He said that regardless of international practice, a Muslim nation like Malaysia should not have such a policy, especially as it is against Islamic law.

“What’s wrong with wearing the tudung in a Muslim country?” Malay daily Sinar Harian quoted him as saying on Tuesday.

“It is known that Muslim women are required to wear the tudung. There should not be a ban (on wearing the headscarf), unless they intentionally want to insult Islam.”

Mr Harussani then went on to tell Muslim female employees in the hotel industry to ignore the ban.

“Muslims should not obey this law. Fear of Allah should be greater than fear of humans. Allah is our God, not human beings.” AGENCIES