A crappy situation,.. looking for advice for a friend of mine. Please read.

[Yeager2]

Okay,.. I'll get right too it.  I have a friend who is being discriminated against
( has been told that they cannot work at their job if they wear their muslim head gear.)

She is not in america, .. but in Korea ( as am I ).. and has recently converted
 to Islam ( and no not the fanatical crazy terrorist types, but the type of peacefull
god fearing person just like any god fearing christian. )  

Anyway,.. I, myself am not Muslim, but I have definately been one to have a very close walk
 with God through Jesus in the past. ( My walk has not been so strong, but that is because of my own
undoing etc )  Anyway, this is not about me.

She is really a great person who seems to have alot going for her. I know that this isn't America,
where we see people do/wear/whatever they want ( most of the time ) etc..  
[ And I from what I understand here, .. Korea should be the same way ]... hmm..  Can anyone
 offer me some advice about the requirements for a girl to wear a "Hajba "
( I think that is what it is called )... ( The head peice ( not covering the face, but only the top of the head) of the girl.

I am not sure if anyone here is knowledgeable about Islam. I feel that anyone who has had or
Has a walk with God can understand and know to help another person ( irreguardless ) (sP?) of the other person's faith.

Thanks

[lazs2]

they told us we couldn't wear hats with any advertiseing on em.  

lazs

[Howitzer]

LOL which Korea?  =)

In the US there is freedom of religion and under that, your friend would be able to wear that stuff to work in the US.  I do not know about Korean laws..  

[Engine]

In NYC it would be a job for the Human Rights Commission. They just recently went to bat for a Sikh subway conductor who was told he couldn't wear his turban.

Do they have an HRC in Korea?

[Yeager2]

Guys thanks for the responses so far. As far as a type of  Human rights counsel, I'm not entirely sure.

I do know that she had made a call to the US Embassy here to find out some information. She's gonna be finding some stuff out soon. I just fear that they may actually incurr too much loss of face, or some other type of incomprehensible act of predjudice. The strangest part and hardest to deal with is that she is actually great friends with her boss and litterally hangs out together at times. Now how do you have that type of bonding and at the same time know that they are still your boss (technically) and then find out that the tune will/can change based upon the act of wearing something on your head?  

It's really strange. I think we'll find out more to come for sure.

If anyone here is muslium or has knoweldge about the requirements to wear the "Hajba" ( one can be seen here --> Hajba Head cloth  please let me know.  

I'm pretty much trying to find out if the "Koran" requires you to wear it,.. and if so.. then like yeah.. maybe her convictions will be the determining factor as to whether or not she wants to put up with this or give in etc..

Anyway thanks in advance.  

[Engine]

I think it's subjective. There are many, many Muslim women in NYC who don't wear one. If she feels she really needs to wear one to satisfy religious requirements, and there's no impact on her work, I don't think it's reasonable to stop her.  But that's just my opinion.

[Gunslinger]

I'd have to agree with the company's decision on this one NOTE: unless they allow other types of religious head scarfs to be warn.  To be honest I feel that if the company's rules and your ideals don't match petition to have them changed or get granted an exception.  If that fails find new employment.

[koda76]

Why should she be allowed to promote her religion in the work place?...that is a religous symbol is it not?...tell her to tie her hair in a bun...and get a life.....

[john9001]

when in Rome......................... .

[stantond]

While I can understand the enthusiasm and zeal of a new religious convert (recently converted Christians are similar), a dress code is just that.  If her place of employment does not allow headgear, other than that provided or approved by the company, then no head gear should be worn.   It's a company rule.

If I had my own company no koolats would be allowed.  I hate those things.  I'd allow the mulsem head gear as long as it was clean and neat.  


Regards,


Malta

[StSanta]

When in Rome.

I doubt God would condemn her for not wearing a piece of cloth some humans decided women should wear. I pretty much doubt God told those humans to write that stuff, even though they'd claim it.

Her options are: take it off, go on a usual. Keep it on, suffer the consquences.

With the latter, perhaps she should take the consequence of her religious beliefs and move to a country more tolerant of faith.

If I was devout and convinced that wearing a piece of cloth was of serious religious importance, I'd have no choice but to live in a place where I could do so.

Sorry for not being more informative, but the situation is really quite simple: do, and deal with the consequences. Or don't, and deal with the consequences.

There are always consequences. Sometimes, you can choose which. And that in itself is a gift.

[dedalos]

Originally posted by Yeager2
Okay,.. I'll get right too it.  I have a friend who is being discriminated against
( has been told that they cannot work at their job if they wear their muslim head gear.)

She is not in america, .. but in Korea ( as am I ).. and has recently converted
 to Islam ( and no not the fanatical crazy terrorist types, but the type of peacefull
god fearing person just like any god fearing christian. )  

Anyway,.. I, myself am not Muslim, but I have definately been one to have a very close walk
 with God through Jesus in the past. ( My walk has not been so strong, but that is because of my own
undoing etc )  Anyway, this is not about me.

She is really a great person who seems to have alot going for her. I know that this isn't America,
where we see people do/wear/whatever they want ( most of the time ) etc..  
[ And I from what I understand here, .. Korea should be the same way ]... hmm..  Can anyone
 offer me some advice about the requirements for a girl to wear a "Hajba "
( I think that is what it is called )... ( The head peice ( not covering the face, but only the top of the head) of the girl.

I am not sure if anyone here is knowledgeable about Islam. I feel that anyone who has had or
Has a walk with God can understand and know to help another person ( irreguardless ) (sP?) of the other person's faith.

Thanks

Here is some advice.  I think, she and everyone else should take the time and think before following a god that cares about what you are whearing, what you eat, what your gender is, and how to punish you.  Who knows, the world may become a better place at the end.

[scout]

There's a Quranic saying muslims like to keep toting: "There is no coercion in religion".

The majority of muslims will answer Hijab is obligatory. Ultimately each women must decide for herself. If she can and is lucky enough not to live in an armpit country where it is the law or gets a face full of acid if she don't. And even in a free country family can be coercive.

Saw a gem just today on an islamic board:

the hijab is not an oppression, those who do it out of fear are hypocrites becuase id they was a gud muslim they would no the necessities and wouldn't have to be forced.

'was a gud muslim' = 'were good muslims', no = know

[Holden McGroin]

When in Rome...

Didn't Rome send those who did not conform to the belief in Roman Gods to be publically devoured by wild beasts?

[OIO]

Remember, South Korea is not the melting pot the US is.

If her headgear goes against the company's dress code then thats that.

If she were to be allowed to wear it because of her beliefs it would only draw attention and resentment towards her, not to mention it being unfair to all the other employees.

Even here in the US a muslim or Hindu or whatever religion that endorses headresses can not force a private industry to grant them a priviledge to wear a headress at work if it goes against the company's rules. If the company says NO HEADGEAR it means NO headgear for *anyone* in the entire company. If that is unnaceptable to the employee then its his or her choice to find employment somewhere else, the company should not give special priviledges to a few employees because of non-work related personal, private matters.