Judicial employees allowed to wear niqab

Judicial employees have now been allowed to wear niqabs, the headscarves that cover the face.

The Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) issued a circular on Sunday saying that the provision on dress code in the Judicial Employees Regulations has been revised.

The DGA has asked the courts and agencies to comply with the amendment from Sunday onwards.

The article previously stated that every service in the judicial sector must be provided responsibly and accountably and the service provider must be identifiable. Therefore, employees should dress in a manner that facilitates identifying them during working hours.

The article has now been revised to state that there is no obstacle for employees to wear niqab. However, if a situation arises that makes it necessary to establish the identity of the person in the workplace, the face of such an employee shall be shown to a relevant female employee of the court or agency.

Previously, a social media post alleged that a candidate who had applied for a position at the Magistrate's Court in Dh.Hulhudheli was not offered the job due to wearing a niqab.

The woman posted on social media that she applied for the position of an administrative officer of the court, but was not hired due to her wearing niqab. In an email sent by the court after the interview and practical examination, she said she was informed she could not be employed because she wore the niqab.

The post was responded to by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. In an X post, Muizzu had defended women wearing niqab, saying that there should be no discrimination in employment based on the dress worn.

Earlier, school teachers were not allowed to wear niqab, but the rule was changed after many people expressed dissatisfaction.