By: Kassim Kajosolo
An Islamic organisation known as the Hijab Task Force, which works under the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM), has written to the Ministries of Defence and Homeland Security, advocating for the rights of Muslim women to wear the hijab (headscarf) while serving in the government security institutions.
Abdus-Salaam Faduweck, spokesperson for the Hijab Task Force, confirmed the development and stated that the organisation is seeking an audience with both ministries to discuss what they consider a constitutional and religious right.
“The hijab is a right, and every Muslim woman is entitled to wear it. Beyond being a religious obligation, it is protected under the Constitution,” said Faduweck.
The task force revealed that it had received complaints indicating that the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) which is under ministry of Defence and the Malawi Police Service (MPS), Malawi prison Service and Immigration services and road traffic services which are the Departments under the Ministry of homeland security arenot permitting their female officers to wear the hijab while on duty.
“It is on this basis that we have officially requested meetings with the respective ministries. We strongly believe that denying Muslim women the right to wear the hijab amounts to religious discrimination,” Faduweck added.
He further explained that the task force would like to see not only women employed in the two ministries, but also female inmates in Malawi’s correctional facilities, granted the right to wear the hijab.
“We are hopeful that the ministries will listen to our concerns and ultimately uphold the rights of Muslim women under their jurisdiction,” said Faduweck.
Efforts to obtain comments from officials in both ministries were unsuccessful, as they had not responded to a questionnaire by the time of publication.