S/Africa military considers headscarf for female Muslim officer

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is considering interim relief to allow a Muslim SANDF member to wear her headscarf. This is while the defence minister reviews the policy around dress codes in the defence force. Maj Fatima Isaacs is expected to stand trial in a military court later this year after she disobeyed […]

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is considering interim relief to allow a Muslim SANDF member to wear her headscarf.

This is while the defence minister reviews the policy around dress codes in the defence force.

Maj Fatima Isaacs is expected to stand trial in a military court later this year after she disobeyed a direct command by refusing to remove the headscarf she was wearing under her beret.

Representatives of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and the defence force met this week to discuss a dress code for Muslims in the armed forces.

“Maj Isaacs has served in the SANDF with pride for 10 years. Due to its obligatory status in Islam, the major wears a scarf beneath her beret,” said the MJC and the SANDF in a joint statement on Thursday.

The chaplain-general, Brig-Genl MA Jamagile, told journalists in Cape Town that the talks were “amicable and constructive” and that the SANDF had committed to addressing the issue.

Isaacs’ court case has been postponed to August 7 for a trial date to be determined.

“The issue of discrimination and Islamophobia was openly discussed. The SANDF has categorically declared that Islamophobia and discrimination have no place in the SANDF since it is representative of all peoples of our rainbow nation,” said Jamagile.

The MJC leadership, who were present when Jamagile read out the statement, expressed their “appreciation” for the military’s engagement with them.