[~sydblue~]

SOUTH Australia's biggest Islamic school has warned teachers, including many non-Muslims, that they will lose their jobs if they do not wear a hijab to school functions and outings.

Up to 20 non-Muslim female teachers, who do not wish to be named, have been told they will be sacked from the Islamic College of South Australia's West Croydon campus after three warnings if they do not wear a headscarf to cover their hair.

The order, from the school's governing board and chairman Faruk Kahn, contradicts the policy of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nati...k-1226575723406

[Pooks*potters]

What's the problem? I assume men would be sacked for not adhering to the school dress code as well. I'm not Muslim and I have covered myself appropriately for various events where it was required. It's a piece of clothing.

[liveworkplay]

My initial thoughts are it is a private "company" who can dictate any "uniform" they wish. Every workplace have had has either had a uniform or a strict dress code. I am sure if I had flouted it I would have received warnings and ulitmately been asked to leave.

Is the problem that it is related to religion?

This post has been edited by liveworkplay: 12/02/2013, 08:22 AM

[AllyK81]

I might be wrong, but I didn't think it was mandatory for all muslims to wear hijab.

It really is just a form of 'uniform' though, albeit a religiously affiliated one.

When travelling in muslim countries or visiting mosques I have covered my hair and I don't mind at all.

[Bam1]

I know not every Catholic school forces a "morality" code on it's teachers but some do and see less problem with forcing teachers to wear the scarf.

Personally though I don't believe a teacher needs to be a follower of the faith to be a good teacher at a religious school and that the schools should practice what they preach - tolerance for all religions. I would prefer a good teacher over a mediocre teacher who wears a scarf or follows the religious code.

[rosiebird]

What's the problem? I assume men would be sacked for not adhering to the school dress code as well. I'm not Muslim and I have covered myself appropriately for various events where it was required. It's a piece of clothing.

When the male teachers are asked to cover their heads or face sacking, I'll concede it is a workplace uniform not a religious imperative.

[Cranky Kitten]

*yawn* Don't want to wear it, get a job somewhere else. It's not as if they're being asked to wear a burqa, and even if they were it's the school's prerogative to decide on the dress code. So long as the school recognises that this may reduce the pool of teachers they have to select from, I don't see any problem with it. There's little difference between requiring staff to wear a headscarf and requiring students to wear a uniform IMO

[haras1972]

What do you think OP? Why did you post this? What's your take on it?

Personally, I don't have a problem with this - presumably the teachers were told this at the start of their employment, it's probably written in the school policy, and they've had three warnings.

My old Catholic girls school dictated that male teachers had to wear a suit and tie, and female teachers weren't allowed to wear trousers, and no bare shoulders. Meh.

This post has been edited by haras1972: 12/02/2013, 08:33 AM

[Lyra]

I covered my hair when I worked in an Islamic School. It didn't bother me in the slightest as it meant I didn't have to worry about getting my haircut and coloured to stay neat and tidy LOL I just whacked a scarf or hat on in the morning and off I went. The school has since changed its policy and I don't need to cover my hair, this annoys me more because now I have to take time in the morning to fiddle around with my hair.

[~sydblue~]

What's the problem? I assume men would be sacked for not adhering to the school dress code as well. I'm not Muslim and I have covered myself appropriately for various events where it was required. It's a piece of clothing.

This one school is actually going against the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils. If they go against them now and get away with it, what else will they go against?