South Africa: outrage as officer charged over headscarf

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AA) - South Africans have expressed outrage after the army took disciplinary action against a senior female officer for wearing a Muslim headscarf under her military beret.

Major Fatima Isaacs, 47, was charged in a military court in Cape Town on Tuesday for disobeying orders not to wear the hijab while in uniform.

“We have written to the Minister of Defense raising both our concern and objection to this matter. We believe it’s unconstitutional. It’s contrary to both the spirit and letter of our constitution,” Faisal Suliman, chairman of the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET), told Anadolu Agency late Thursday.

Suliman said he believes disciplinary action against Fatima hinders the development of a multi-plural society.

“We believe the headscarf does not interfere with the uniform nor the abilities of Major Fatima or any other person,” he said.

He also urged the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to make necessary amendments to its dress code to accommodate all faith groups.

Fatima has been working as a forensic pathologist at a military hospital in Cape Town, where she has worn the headscarf for years, despite orders to remove it.

However, last week, the officer received a final written warning and appeared this week before a military court.

The Chief of the Royal House of Mandela also issued a statement condemning the incident.

“It is inconceivable that the South African National Defence Force would deny an employee the right to pursue her religious freedom to wear a headscarf,” it said.

The Royal House also urged the Minister of Defense to set aside the disciplinary action against Fatima, saying this was an absolute denigration of her rights to exercise her religious freedom.