I get a lot of debate from the #French in my life about how I support women wearing the #Hijab 🧕 (especially with the court of appeal ruling yesterday in #Québec) and how I square that with my feminism— and forgive my confusion but at the the very heart of feminism is acknowledging that women are fully formed & capable adults that are entitled to wear what they please. Not treating women like grown-ups is how American women lost their bodily autonomy.
In a shocking incident at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) on Tuesday, a caregiver faced religious discrimination when a head nurse instructed her to remove her hijab upon reporting to work at the new surgical ward.
Residing in Komave settlement in Nabua, Rasida Janif was completing her two-month internship as a caregiver, having successfully completed her caregiving courses at the Fiji National University (FNU).
Ms J anif claimed the head nurse explicitly directed her to take off her hijab, asserting that the hospital was “not a religious facility”.
The statement left Ms Janif with mixed emotions, describing the incident as racially motivated and emotionally distressing.
“This is the first time I’ve had to endure such a horrifying experience,” Ms Janif said, expressing her dismay at the sudden discriminatory treatment.
“I’ve worked in many places, and everyone accepted my attire as it is.”
Ms Janif highlighted she had initially been advised to wear a shorter hijab during her first weeks of attachment, which she willingly complied with.
However, the abrupt demand to remove her hijab later in her internship conflicted with her religious beliefs, leaving her feeling targeted.
The Islamic headscarf, she emphasised, is not merely a piece of clothing but “a big part of her identity,” and relinquishing it would compromise her deeply held religious convictions.
Feeling disheartened, she still expressed her dedication to caregiving, citing it as her sole job opportunity.
In response to the issue, the Fiji Muslim League headquarters in Suva received a complaint from Ms Janif and intends to file a formal complaint with the Ministry of Health.
Colonial War Memorial Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Luke Nasedra, clarified that wearing a hijab “is allowed” and not prohibited within the hospital.
The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, said he had not received a formal complaint and could not comment any further.
The Fiji Women Crisis Centre coordinator, Shamima Ali, condemned the incident as a violation of human rights in a democratic country like Fiji.
She said such actions go against religious beliefs, deeming it “unacceptable” and a blatant human rights violation that demands immediate attention.
The Fiji Human Rights and AntiDiscrimination Commission will await an official complaint from the victim.
VICE News gains exclusive access inside Iran, to find out what's happened in the country since Mahsa Amini's death. Since Iranian women led a nationwide uprising, Iran's security forces have cracked down with brute force. Isobel Yeung meets those brave enough to speak out and meets the authorities in charge.
CM Siddaramaiah said that dressing and food habits were personal concerns and added, "You wear whichever dress you want to. You eat whatever you want. It is your right to consume food of your choice."
It’s been a long time since I did a fanart, let’s change this by introducing to you an #originalcharacter from Shadow Dancer of the 305 (https://www.deviantart.com/shadow-dancer-of-305). Named Heba, this young #Muslim woman can summon and manipulate knives from another dimension.
I represent her as a #Victorianlady, as she was about to meet Esther
The Kazakh government's recent announcement of a ban on wearing the hijab headscarf in educational institutions has sparked fierce debate in the country. Officials stress the need to preserve secularism. Some girls are dropping out of school in protest. 70% of Kazakhstan are Muslim, mixed reactions to ban....
Karnataka to allow hijab during government recruitment exams
This move marks a reversal from the stance of the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government in Karnataka which had imposed a ban on wearing hijab inside classrooms.
Hijab Drama At CWM Hospital (fijisun.com.fj)
"This is the first time I've had to endure such a horrifying experience," Ms Janif said, expressing her dismay at the sudden discriminatory treatment.
Kazakhstan announces ban on hijabs in schools (www.dhakatribune.com)
The Kazakh government's recent announcement of a ban on wearing the hijab headscarf in educational institutions has sparked fierce debate in the country. Officials stress the need to preserve secularism. Some girls are dropping out of school in protest. 70% of Kazakhstan are Muslim, mixed reactions to ban....