Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz on Tuesday have expressed barring Muslim women from covering their hair or wearing headscarves by some International Malaysian hotels as “imbecilic” and “unconstitutional”.
The issue came to light after the Malaysian Labour Centre of the Union Network International claimed that some Malaysian hotels are demanding their Muslim staff to remove their headscarves.
Muslim hospitality and tourism students applying for the internships have also complained of the same.
The International Women’s Alliance for Family Institution and Quality Education has also claimed to have received dozens of similar complaints from Muslim women.
The Centre has called upon Human Resource Minister Richard Riot to address the matter as quickly as possible.
Deputy Minister has also demanded an explanation for such practice by the international hotels banning Muslim staff from wearing headscarves.
Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) is offering legal aid to people who wants to file lawsuit against this unlawful policy adopted by the international hotels.
Minister Aziz said this forceful hotel policy which is believed to be in practice for some years now is insensitive to Muslims.
He said, “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.”
“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.
He asks, “This (wearing the headscarf) is part of our culture in Malaysia. Is being naked better than wearing the tudung at the (reception) counter?”
The policy received a backlash from various Islamic groups and political parties who have accused this policy and hotels of “Islamophobia”.
In reply the to the outburst throughout Malaysia, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) defending the policy said it is in accordance with the international standards and is no way a religious discrimination. The association has made it clear that the Muslim staff could approach hotels who would allow the practice or even opt for working in non-frontline areas.
However, Khoo Boo Lim president of MAH Penang said no such policy is in ordinance through out the state.
Mr Nazri has now demanded the Association to display the international guidelines that prohibits females from wearing headscarves in frontline, adding that hotels should respect the cultural practices of the state if they wish to run their business in Malaysia.
He said, “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)?”.
DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo has also criticized the policy calling it unconstitutional.
He described the international hotels’ policy as “unreasonable” and “insensitive” to the religious belief of Muslim women and urged Putrajaya to address the issue.
He said, “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.”
Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria has also criticized the policy saying it is tantamount to insulting Islam and Malaysian country should not have any such ordinance which is especially against the Islamic Law.
He was quoted asking, “What’s wrong with wearing the tudung in a Muslim country?” .
“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.”
“Muslims should not obey this law. Fear of Allah should be greater than fear of humans. Allah is our God, not human beings” he added.
Malaysia: Outcry over International policy barring headscarves
