Malaysia Airlines Urged To Allow Hijab

Kuala Lumpur – Members of Malaysia’s largest political party United Malays National Organization have called for allowing hijab for Malaysia Airlines stewardesses and an alcohol ban, calls that were endorsed by state officials and MAS managers.

“We suggest that the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) management allow or require their Muslim air stewardesses to wear a headscarf and uniforms that cover the ‘aurat’,” UMNO Youth exco Dazma Shah Daud, on Tuesday (26/8),

Daud cited several airlines in Muslim countries like Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Iran that obligates stewardesses to wear hijab.

“We should not be afraid of business being affected because we must be confident with God’s will if we follow it,” said Dazma.

Islam sees hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one’s affiliations.

Daud of Umno said that he was misquoted when media cited his demand to make hijab compulsory for Muslim female flight attendants.

“What I said was that those who want to wear hijab should be able to do so as there are instances where Muslim female flight attendants in MAS who wear the hijab outside of work have to take their hijab off while flying,” he was quoted by The Star Online.

Along with calls to allow hijab, Umno Youth religious bureau chairman Azmir Yuzaimi Mohd Yunos has urged MAS and other airlines to stop serving alcoholic drinks on board.

Yunos also called MAS to recite prayers before each flight.

“Saudi Airlines, for example, requires their pilots to say a prayer (for Muslims) before flying. Why can’t we leave it to God in each flight? As a Muslim, we need to ask protection from Him,” Yunos said.

Malaysia has a population of nearly 26 millions, with Malays, mostly Muslims, making up nearly 60 percent.