SINGAPORE – Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says he will announce in August the government’s decision on allowing Muslim nurses in the country to wear the tudung (headscarf).
On Facebook, Lee wrote yesterday he discussed the government’s views on allowing its Muslim nurses to wear the tudung with the country’s Malay-Muslim religious and community leaders in a “candid, lively and sincere” manner.
“The government’s position on the tudung is not fixed. People’s attitudes, values and views have naturally evolved over time.
“In social and work settings, the tudung is now more common. There is reason to allow Muslim nurses to wear the tudung if they wish,” he said.
Lee said the Singaporean government has been considering the move for some time now.
“We have been quietly engaging and consulting the community leaders. But we still need a bit more time to prepare the ground before we make the decision,” he said.
Lee said the government must ensure that Singaporeans, both Muslims and non-Muslims, are ready to accept the move.
“Everyone must understand that this is a careful adjustment, not a wholesale change. They should also realise where the limits are so that we don’t end up harming our religious harmony.
“I’ve asked the community leaders to help us with this process. I aim to speak on this at this year’s National Day Rally in August,” he said, signing off the posting with his initials, LHL.
In Singapore, Muslim women who work as nurses are not allowed to wear the headscarf.
This is part of the Singaporean government’s efforts to ensure uniforms worn by civil servants are not tilted towards any one religious belief. – Bernama, April 11, 2021
