Petition filed to remove clause which bans civil servants from wearing face veil

A group of lawyers and Islamic scholars have lodged a case with High Court petitioning for removal of the clause civil service regulation which bans civil servants from wearing face veils at workplace.

The group of 13 people petitioned that High Court determine Article 145 (a) of civil service regulation as unconstitutional.

The clause in question states that all civil servants dress code used in the workplace must clearly identify who they are.

The petition says Civil Service Commission was interpreting it to mean that face veils were banned from the workplace. And that government agencies were taking action against Muslim women who keep their face veils on in the workplace.

It also says one woman had provided a statement she was terminated from her post for wearing her face veil at workplace.

The petition says all Islamic scholars concur that wearing the face veil is was part of Islamic Sharia, and that the only dispute was whether it was a Wajib or Sunnah.