DPM Teo comments on hijab issue - 05Nov2013

SINGAPORE: The Singapore government is responsible for balancing the needs of different communities in order to maintain overall social harmony -- this point was made by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean as he weighed in on the hijab issue. There is an ongoing debate on whether front-line government officers should be allowed to wear the Muslim headscarf. Mr Teo said Singaporeans have been able to enjoy the many freedoms all religions have in the country because the different communities have been moderate and restrained in accommodating one another. Mr Teo said he hopes this will continue. The hijab issue was first raised at a forum on race in September after a polytechnic lecturer asked why nurses were barred from wearing tudungs. The discussion became heated online, with some abusive language being used and personal attacks launched on Muslim leaders. Former Mufti Shaikh Syed Isa Semait was embroiled in the controversy after he said in an interview that a petition to allow front-line officers to wear tudungs could breed misunderstanding, and that one question to ask was whether all Muslim women working at the front-line as nurses want to wear a hijab. Mufti Mohamed Fatris Bakaram then criticised netizens who had used abusive and disrespectful language in the debate. Mr Teo said said the hijab issue has been raised on a number of occasions and the government understands the perspectives of the community. Subject: Govt has to balance needs of different communities, says DPM Teo www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/govt-has-to-balance-needs/874970.html