'Hijab dimming job prospects for converts'

DUBAI — Cases of Hijab discrimination in employment against Muslim women, who have recently converted to Islam, have become common in the UAE.

Afkar Ali Ahmed

Published: Tue 7 Dec 2004, 11:37 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 1:23 PM

There are several barriers, types and degrees of discrimination experienced by new Muslim women when seeking employment in the manufacturing, sales and service sectors in UAE.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Shireen (Violeta), a new Muslim from Romania said: “I have faced discrimination due to Hijab several times in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I got selected by several employers on the basis of my CV, but on personal appearance for the interview, it was my Hijab that disappointed them," she said, adding each time I was told that I was not fit enough for the job.

“A European company based in Dubai asked me to change my way of dressing as the position required someone with a modern European dress-up. Another company in Abu Dhabi made it clear during the interview that they preferred someone who is not wearing Hijab or any kind of Muslim wear,” she said.

Shahlla, an American woman who converted to Islam and is currently working as a social worker for new Muslim women, said that many of her clients wearing Hijab find it impossible to get jobs with their Hijab.

"Many of them got fed up and removed their Hijab,” she said.

She said many of these new Muslim women were denied the opportunity to apply for jobs and were consistently made to feel unwelcome when applying for work.

“I'm sure the authorities here are not aware of this problem, otherwise they will immediately take action,” she commented.

Shahlla said that one of her clients, working in a recruitment agency, was warned by her employer that she would not be able to retain her job if she insisted on wearing the Hijab.

Zinab Al Kially, a Filipina who is wearing Hijab, said: “I'm not going to compromise my Hijab for the sake a job or money, as Hijab is women's protection and a must in Islam.”

Veronica (Joiria), from Switzerland, said: “I work in Shaikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding where I never faced Hijab discrimination, as my manager always encourages female employees to wear Hijab. But I know of many new Muslims who have lost their jobs because they wear Hijab. I find it very sad that such a kind of discrimination is going on in an Islamic country like the UAE. Most of the international companies have problems with Hijab as they think that an employee wearing Hijab and undertaking a marketing job cannot be successful.”

Nicole, a British who converted to Islam five years ago, said that she never faced a problem before she converted to Islam. However, after wearing Hijab, her manager felt that she was not suitable for the job as her position required someone with attractive clothes.

Izza from France who also embraced Islam, said: “Before I was wearing Hijab, I never faced any problems regarding jobs or experienced any kind of religious discrimination. But after I started wearing Hijab, I was denied many jobs in the field of marketing and sales.”

Sofia, a German new Muslim, said that she faced several difficulties because of her Hijab in Europe and in the UAE. However, she added she would never give up her Hijab for a job and would keep trying till finding a place which accepts her religion and Hijab. She said she conducted several lectures to encourage the new Muslims to maintain their Hijab and appealed to human rights authorities in Dubai for help.

Jasmine Jiang Chun Feng from China said she is happy with her Hijab and will not give it up for anything as she believes that money and wealth are from God.

Iman Ismail, who used to be in-charge of the new Muslim section in Dubai Auqaf and Islamic Affairs Department, said that she had offered several advices in dealing with Hijab discrimination in employment. She asked new Muslim women to inform their employers either at the beginning of the job or during the job interview that they wear Hijab for religious reasons.

“It is preferable that this be done in writing. If your employer is not allowing you to wear Hijab, inform him in writing that you are wearing Hijab for religious reasons,” she explained.

She said if any employer still denies new Muslim women the right to wear a Hijab, they should write a letter explaining that this is a violation of one's human rights. "If they still insist, they should appeal to the Human Rights Section of Dubai Police to take action against such employers," she added.

Khalid Lootah, an official of Human Rights Section at Dubai Police, said that they have not received any complaints regarding the Hijab discrimination so far.

"However, if we receive a complaint, we will cooperate and carry out necessary investigation. If the company is found guilty, it will face legal action, as the UAE government guarantees the right of employees to wear Hijab at the workplace," he said.