Woman asked to choose between job and hijab, quits

TORONTO: A Muslim woman in Canada had to quit her training as a security guard after being given an ultimatum to choose between her job and wearing a hijab (headscarf), drawing condemnation from Islamic groups.

Sondos Abdelatif, 19, was told that she would have to remove her hijab in order to continue with the training programme at Montreal's Bordeaux jail in Quebec province. She chose to withdraw from the programme on Tuesday.

Quebec's Public Security Department told the Canadian press that the Muslim headwear could pose a threat to Abdelatifs safety should prisoners get hostile.

"As a security measure, the hijab cannot be accepted as an element of the uniform to execute the functions of a correctional officer," department spokesman Real Roussy said.

However, the Muslim Council of Montreal argues the issue signals a lack of openness on the government's behalf.

"It is an ultimatum, remove the hijab or you're out of here," said Salam Elmenyawi, head of the council. "Thats not a security issue, this is much more a bigoted issue."

Elmenyawi pointed out there are other options including a turtleneck combined with an unfastened haircovering. Members of other Muslim groups have pointed out that Velcro-fastened hijabs could offer an easy solution.

Roussy said such alternatives won't change the government's position. "It's a security measure," he said.

The controversy has added fuel to a simmering debate in the predominantly Catholic province about reasonable accommodations for minorities.

A series of incidents, from a rural town's now infamous 'norms' of behaviour to a Muslim girl being kicked out of soccer game for wearing a hijab, have perpetuated a debate that is frustrating for Muslims, Elmenyawi said.