Dallas Clinic That Told Doc She Couldn't Wear Hijab Backs Down

[Flaneur]

Texas Medical Group Apologizes for Hijab Flap, Clarifies Policy on Religious Accommodation
Press release from the Council on American Islamic Relations

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleID=26121&&name=n&&currPage=1&&Active=1

Posted 11/2/2009 1:34:00 PM



(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/2/09) - A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization announced today that a major medical group in Texas has apologized to a Muslim job applicant and has agreed to “clarify” its policy on religious accommodation for employees who wear religious attire such as Islamic head scarves (hijab) or beards.

SEE: Clinic Apologizes for Telling Muslim Doctor She Can't Wear Headscarf


Last week, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported that a Muslim doctor being interviewed for a position with CareNow, a medical group with 22 facilities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, was told that a “no hat” policy would prohibit her from wearing hijab. She was also reportedly informed that CareNow prohibits employees from wearing beards. (Many Muslim men view wearing a beard as a religious requirement.)

A CAIR letter to CareNow noted that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires employers to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee, unless to do so would create an “undue hardship” on the employer.

SEE: Texas Medical Group Denies Muslim Doctor Right to Hijab

In an October 31 e-mail, CareNow President Tim Miller wrote:

“We regret the misunderstanding with Dr. Zaki. We will clarify our policy and continue to provide training to our current employees to try to prevent future misunderstandings. We look forward to sitting down with Dr. Zaki and discussing potential job opportunities. Bright, young doctors like her are just what we're looking for.”

“We are pleased that all current and future CareNow employees will have their legal right to religious accommodation acknowledged and respected,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

He said CAIR’s South Carolina chapter recently assisted a Muslim worker who alleges that he suffered religious discrimination at the hands of co-workers after he requested a private place at work to perform his prayers.

SEE: Ex-SRS Worker Sues for Discrimination


Hooper added that CAIR offers a booklet, “An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help prevent such incidents from occurring.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

- END -

The original thread on this--still on the first page of late breaking news--drew a lot of bigoted reaction, IMO

[kestrel91316]

1. Good. Because it was a losing lawsuit just waiting to happen.

Bigots.

[jkshaw]

2. I've always thought the hijab

was attractive, and appropriate for professionals, including teachers, if the lower part of the face is uncovered. The burqa, on the other hand, seems a little much in the classroom. There was a flap about the burqa in the classroom not too long ago in the United States. Catholic nuns, decades ago, taught in the classroom in full regalia, and Catholic children managed okay. But an American child being taught by a woman wearing a burqa, no matter how attractive, could be a distraction from what is being taught.

I have never been close enough to a woman wearing a burqa to notic this, but I'd guess her voice would have to be muffled. Perhaps I'm wrong.

[Canuckistanian]

3. My kid's dentist wears the hijab

It never occurred to me that someone might have a problem with it. You see them everywhere - on the streets, in the restaurants, at schools....

I hope these people get nailed both in court and the court of public opinion.

[AspenRose]

4. So does my children's pedi

And one of the nurses at my OB/Gyn. But then we live in a metropolitan area. You might not see it as often out in the sticks....and unfortunately, since Muslims are demonized in American media (especially since 9/11) it probably intimidates people who aren't used to seeing them.

[MattBaggins]

5. I hope they do not get nailed

If they singled her out then yes it was wrong but if they had a no head gear policy and were enforcing it then they were more than fair in addressing it and seeing if it really was needed to have such a stiff policy. Since this is a medical facility was she required to to be in scrubs? Was there surgery going on? If this was due to a a need to promote a clean environment for the patients it was not so ludicrous to have a policy prohibiting head gear.

My last job we made injectable drugs and wore in some rooms; full Tyvek suits with two pairs of gloves and full face masks. We were not allowed to wear any jewelry at all. No crosses, no wedding rings, nada. We were not even allowed to wear watches but that was a CFR compliance issue. We had a number of Sikhs working at the facility and not one of them ever complained that they could not work in our departments.

[Canuckistanian]

6. If it was for purely medical reasons, then yes.

The point of the hijab is to cover the face. Full surgical masks do that job very well.

I can't see it becoming a problem if this clinic in Dallas approaches this with a spirit of accomodation.