A female student
studying at the Faculty of Sharia and Law who wears the face veil (niqab) has
filed a case against College of Islamic Studies at Civil Court over her right
to wear it inside college premises.
 |
| College of Islamic Studies in Maldives |
The student whose name
is Mehenaz Hussein wants the Civil Court to issue a ruling that women opting to
wear face veil could not be banned from educational institutions in Maldives.
She particularly insists that her religious and constitutional rights as a
woman could not be infringed by a new regulation that is about to be introduced
concerning students’ dress code at the college.
Mehenaz says she has
been studying in the college for the past four months and attending the classes
while her body covered from head to toe and there has not been any problem so
far. Not a single teacher or a student has passed any remark or complained
about it. Before applying to join the Faculty of Sharia and Law, she enquired
about the chances of getting an enrolment if a female student wears a face veil
and she was told it was not a problem at all. After getting selected to the
course, she attended the interview wearing an abaya while her face
covered with niqab (face veil). While at the interview she again asked
her interviewers if there was going to be any obstacle or objection concerning
the way she was dressed and was told that she would be fine in college with her
face veil.
On September 20, Mehenaz
was summoned to meet Dr Ibrahim Zakariya Musa, the college rector and was told
that she was no longer welcome wearing face veil in the college. She must
remove her niqab before entering the college premises or be faced with
expulsion.
In the same meeting
Mehenaz requested Dr Zakariya to grant permission to cover her face until she
reaches the classroom, saying she was willing to uncover her face during the
study sessions. The rector refused saying if she was not happy with his decision
she has the choice to take the matter through legal proceedings.
Mehenaz’s husband, Zunnawaar
Saleem who is also her lawyer told news media that the case has been filed on 16
October and they were prepared to fight a legal battle against this clumsy
decision of college rector Dr Zakariya.
………………………………………………………
Written by: Ibrahim Nazim
17 October 2011, Monday
19 Thw al-Qi`dah 1432
1 comment:
One should have the right to wear a face niqab as long as it does not infringe the rights of others. Zakariyya should allow her to continue her studies.
Post a Comment