Muslim associations have requested exemptions for Muslims after the issuing of the national Department of Health’s National Nurses Uniform Policy Dress Code, which includes a ban on headscarves.
The Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (Imasa), with the Cape Town Ulama Board and a number of other Islamic organisations, said they were frustrated that by last week, they had still not received a response to their objections, reports IOL.
Annexure A of the circular says: “Headscarves are not allowed while on duty”, and a “moustache and beard must be neatly trimmed and should be aligned to …prescripts of occupational health”
In a letter to Health Director-General Dr Sandile Buthelezi on 17 August, Imasa president Dr Mohammed Irshad Moosa said his organisation represented more than 2 000 healthcare workers throughout the country, and they had serious reservations about the prohibition of nurses wearing headscarves.
He said while they understood the importance of maintaining a professional appearance, scarves hold immense cultural and religious significance, serving as symbols of identity, modesty and personal faith.
“In our diverse and pluralistic society, it is essential we respect and accommodate these beliefs, especially within professions as crucial and compassionate as nursing,” Moosa wrote.
Honey Allee, a nursing director at Islamic Medical Association of South Africa clinics, who has worked in the profession since 1972, said not allowing headscarves “ goes against the Constitution”, reports TimesLIVE.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the draft national nurses’ uniform policy is under review to ensure the final policy takes into consideration all inputs and comments, including religious considerations.
“Some clauses of the circular have been reviewed to accommodate the inputs and comments. We will communicate and distribute once it is approved,” he added.
IOL article – Health Ministry slammed over Muslim nurses’ dress code (Open access)
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