The document is a letter from Zhulkeflee Bin Haji Ismail to Dr. Phang, the Director of Health Sciences at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. [1] The letter requests an exemption from wearing the uniform required for the Nursing course due to his daughter Nurul Iiman Zhulkeflee's religious beliefs as a Muslim woman. [2] She is required by her faith to wear modest clothing that covers her thighs and legs. [3] The letter asks that she either be exempted from the uniform requirements or allowed to modify the uniform in accordance with her religious practices.

1. 12 April, 2009
Dr. Phang,
Director of Health Sciences,
Ngee Ann Polytechnic,
535 Clementi Road,
Singapore 599489.
RE: REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION REGARDING UNIFORM
Dear Sir,
1. I am writing to you on behalf of my daughter, Nurul Iiman Zhulkeflee, NRIC No:
S9108529A, who has recently been accepted to pursue her Diploma studies in your
faculty, at your prestigious institution.
2. Although her preferred choices are in Early Childhood Education and Child
Psychology & Early Education, she has been offered Health Sciences (Nursing)
course, which was also amongst her choices. As this would expose her to such a
noble vocation, she is keen and has accepted to proceed with her education in this
field.
3. While perusing the information regarding this course, it has come to my attention
that students in this course may be required to wear certain uniform. Being a Muslim
woman attaining the age of accountability, she has already adopted modesty code in
her dressing as required by our Faith, Islam. She is required to don her headscarf and
cannot publicly expose her thighs and legs. We do take very seriously our practice of
our religion. As such, we seek your understanding regarding this matter by allowing
her to, either be exempted from it (if ever it contravene commandments of our
religion), or allow her to vary the manner of her wearing such uniform, to
accommodate our religious requirement.
4. We respect your prerogative to implement rules, but hope that it does not exceed
reasonable bounds nor rigidly imposed. Just to inform you that, as Muslims, we view
this matter seriously as dressing for us is not mere symbol but impinges upon the
very notion of modesty and decency we uphold for ourselves. Lest it be on grounds
of life-threatening situation, we hope that you would respect our need to conform to
our religious obligation. We hope by her declining to conform strictly to this ruling
regarding uniform because of her faith, she would not be discriminated from
pursuing this course.
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2. 5. If ever this request cannot be acceded to, please respond to me your decision and
the rationale in writing, as (if need be) we would seek to apply for her transfer to
other courses in your institution which does not have such uniform rulings.
6. Hoping for your kind understanding and favourable reply.
Thank you
Sincerely yours,
‫ذوامكفل حاج امسعيل‬
Zhulkeflee Bin Haji Ismail
Apt. Block 716,
#04-4504
Bedok Reservoir Road,
Singapore
470716.
cc. Mr. Chia Mia Chiang
Principal,
Ngee Ann Polytechnic,
535, Clementi Road,
Singapore 599489.
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