Muslim Major hails change in S

Major Fatima Isaacs. Image:Twitter@VOCfm

Muslim Major hails change in SANDF religious dress policy as ‘Important victory’

The change to the policy was spurred after the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) major faced disciplinary action after wearing a scarf whilst in uniform.

Muslim Major hails change in S

Major Fatima Isaacs. Image:Twitter@VOCfm

The Muslim SANDF major at the center of a 3-year battle to wear her hijab (headscarf) while in uniform has hailed the decision by the armed forces’ top brass to amend their Religious Dress Policy.

Major Fatima Isaacs of 2 Military Hospital was reacting after SANDF’s Director of Corporate Communications confirmed the change which now allows the Muslim Hijab (headscarf) to be worn while a soldier or other national defence force staffer is in uniform.

Isaacs told the Cape Times it was an important victory not only for her, but for all who are 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.”

Charged with violating Religious Dress Policy

The change to the policy was spurred after the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) major faced disciplinary action after wearing a scarf covering her hair and head in accordance with her religion.

Her maroon SAMHS beret was worn on top of the scarf.

Major Isaacs has done this since joining the medical service of the SANDF 10 years ago.

In June 2018, she was informed wearing a headscarf was contrary to SANDF dress policy instruction amendment number 5: Wearing of Religious and Medical Adornments by SANDF Members in Uniform (2002) (Religious Dress Policy).

Compliance with the policy would’ve required her to remove the headscarf, against her religious beliefs.

Accordingly, when ordered to remove the headscarf, she refused to obey the order.

This led to her being given a final warning and subsequently charged with three counts of contravening a section of the Military Disciplinary Code pertaining to disobeying lawful commands and/or orders.

Representing Isaacs, the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) took on the case, leading to the military court withdrawing its charges a year ago.

Equality Court

The LRC then challenged the SANDF’s religious dress code policy, still in force, in the Equality Court.

“We engaged with the SANDF and the SANDF amended its policy to allow Muslim women to wear the hijab with military uniform,” The LRC said in a statement.

“We filed a notice of withdrawal in the Equality Court and will not pursue this matter further as the policy no longer discriminates against Muslim women in the military.”

SANDF’s Director of Corporate Communications, Brigadier-General Mafi Mgobozi, confirmed the amendment.

“The military religious dress policy was updated accordingly and allows a Muslim woman to wear her scarf.”