ONE’S right to don the hijab in any work sector, including airlines, should not be compromised, said Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz

Nazri said the matter is not only limited to Muslims as it might also affect non-Muslims.

“Any matters relating to this is in the (federal) constitution and it should not be negotiated or compromised. It’s as simple as that.

“And this (the restriction) is not for Muslims only. Have you seen a male Sikh who works at the (front) counter, and wears a turban? No, you have not.

“I believe they (male Sikhs) are suffering in silence. I believe this is also a requirement that might have been implemented on males who are Sikhs,” said Nazri in Dewan Rakyat today.

Nazri was responding to an additional question by Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (Bachok-PAS), who asked the Ministry’s view on Muslim air stewardesses who work with local airlines and want to cover their aurat.

Nazri also said the hijab ban for hotel front liners had breached three provisions under the federal constitution, which states that Islam is the federal religion of the country while other religions can be practiced in peace and harmony.

“The second rule it breached under the federal constitution was that there should not be any discrimination towards the citizens under the excuse of religion, race, birthplace or gender for one’s employment.

“The third rule stated that all Malaysians are free to practice their religion. By implementing this ban, it indirectly denied one’s right to practice his or her religion and in this case involves the teaching of Islam, which requires Muslim women to cover her aurat,” said Nazri.

Nazri added that the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) should have advised the hotels instead of saying the hijab ban was international practice.

“There are matters that are non-negotiable. If we, members of Parliament are not willing to fight for our rights, then how are we supposed to represent Malaysians in the Dewan Rakyat?” said Nazri in response to Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah (Kuala Terengganu-Amanah) who said the Ministry should take a more proactive action to address the issue pertaining to hijab ban instead of addressing it in a hostile manner.

MAH has defended its members’ policy of prohibiting their frontline staff from wearing the hijab, or headscarf, saying it was international practice and was not meant to be discriminatory.

The Malaysian Labour Centre of the Union Network International (Uni-MLC) and the International Women’s Alliance for Family Institution and Quality Education (Wafiq) recently said hotel employees had complained that Muslim workers in frontline positions had been told to remove their headscarves.

The centre said this was also happening to hospitality and tourism students applying for internships. – November 22, 2017.