Let us not cover up the tudung issue

The Star, Kuala Lumpur
06 November 2005

Let’s not cover up the tudung issue

On The Beat
By WONG CHUN WAI

AMONG Muslims, the question of whether to wear the tudung or not is a
contentious issue.

For many of my Muslim friends and colleagues, the tudung is a symbol
of piety and religion. They regard it as compulsory while many others,
who do not wear it, say it is a matter of choice.

But when non-Muslims are coerced, or seen to be coerced, into wearing
these headscarves, then the issue takes on a different dimension.

Religion has always been regarded as a sensitive issue in Malaysia and
rightly so, too, as Malaysia is a plural society.

The tolerance and respect shown by Malaysians towards one another has
been exemplary. The leadership has constantly reminded us of the need
for moderation and tolerance, consistent with the policy of the
government.

But checks are necessary, now and then, to ensure that middle-ranking
and overzealous bureaucrats do not allow their religious sentiments to
affect the administration of their institutions, more so if they
infringe on the rights of non-Muslims.

The rights of non-Muslims, it must be emphasised, are guaranteed under
the Federal Constitution.

Recently, we read about the compulsory dress code on tudung at the
International Islamic University (IIU) and the attempt by the
Parliament administration to require all its women staff to wear the
tudung.

In the case of IIU, a woman law graduate was reportedly barred from
attending the convocation in August because of her objection to the
dress code.

More recently, two non-Muslim women staff entered Parliament’s chamber
wearing the tudung and an MP stood up to ask whether there was a
compulsory rule requiring non-Muslim female parliamentary staff to
wear the tudung when on official duties inside the chamber.

Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib must be commended for his sense of
fairness and objectivity.

He clarified that there was no such rule and that it was up to the
non-Muslim women to decide whether or not to wear the tudung.

Following the clarification, the two non-Muslim women staff were seen
without the tudung when they carried out their duties in chamber.

Intervention by higher-ups such as Ramli is thus important. The
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
has also said that he would discuss the IIU dress code ruling at the
Parliamentary Select Committee meeting on National Unity.

In fact, Dr Maximus should discuss the issue with his Cabinet
colleagues, particularly Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Shafie
Mohd Salleh, as it would be the best forum to do so.

The IIU officials have decided not to respond to the press on the
matter, even after the panel of university student councils called for
a review of the dress code.

Malaysians have a right to know whether the non-Muslim students were
encouraged or compelled to wear the tudung at the convocation.

Despite its international stature, the IIU is still a public
institution operating in Malaysia and it cannot disregard the
sensitivities of the minority groups.

There is no reason why its rules should be different from those of
other Malaysian public universities. Furthermore, Malaysia remains the
biggest financial backer of the university.

Our institutions, particularly the colleges and universities, should
uphold the principles of fair play and tolerance as practised by the
Barisan Nasional government. None of them should give the impression
that Taliban-style zealots have taken over.

We have confidence that the Prime Minister will handle such imposition
of religious practice on others wisely. Let’s not cover up this issue.

Wong Chun Wai can be reached at onthebeat@thestar.com.my

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