South Africa’s Military Ends Hijab Ban

Freemuslim’s Inclusion Forum applauds the decision by the South Africa’s military to lift ban of Hijab for Muslim women. South Africa’s military has changed its dress policy to allow Muslim women to wear hijabs with their uniforms. It is a victory for Maj Fatima Isaacs, who led a three-year legal battle for her religious right to wear a headscarf beneath her military beret. She had faced dismissal for “wilful defiance and disobeying a lawful command” for refusing to remove it. Maj Isaacs, who works as a clinical forensic pathologist at a military hospital, told the Cape Times it was a victory not only for her, but all people who were “silently victimised” because of their religion. “We are living in a democratic country which means that there should be no discrimination with regards to religious beliefs. I believe religion is the foundation of a moral state/country. This is an important victory.” After military charges were dropped last week, it was agreed that Maj Isaacs could wear a headscarf under her military uniform.

Freemuslim’s Inclusion Forum believes it is essential for countries to be inclusive of all citizens and take necessary measures to accommodate their needs. Inclusion of citizen’s needs often leads to stronger patriotism.