President Muizzu calls to change regulations that discriminate against choice of attire in employment

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has directed authorities to amend any rules and regulations that permit discrimination in employment and the workplace based on how individuals dress, provided their attire does not violate Islamic principles.

The directive comes after a woman who applied for a position at the Dhaalu atoll Hulhudheli Magistrate Court was disqualified by the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) for wearing a niqab. The DJA determined that she did not meet the job requirements due to her choice of attire.

In a post on the social media platform X, President Muizzu said that individuals should not face discrimination based on their attire, especially if it adheres to Islamic standards. He called for the revision of any existing rules and regulations that enable such discrimination.

"All rules and regulations that have been formulated in the past and are still in force should be changed. The relevant authorities have now been asked to do so," he added.

"Let us all resolve to make our society one that promotes justice and fairness," President Muizzu ended his statement.

In an emailed response, the Court said that during the interview and practical session, they observed that the applicant wore a niqab, leading them to decide not to proceed with her recruitment.

There has been a history of discrimination against individuals wearing the niqab in employment, with some even facing termination from their jobs.

Expressing concern over such practices, President Muizzu had earlier said that the Maldives is a 100 percent Muslim country. He stated that if people are discriminated against for dressing in accordance with Islamic Sharia, their rights should be protected, even if current laws do not explicitly guarantee them.