The father is writing to request an exemption from the uniform policy for his daughter, a first year nursing student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, due to her religious requirements as a Muslim woman to wear a headscarf. He explains that the headscarf is a mandatory part of her religious dress code. He seeks clarification on whether she will be allowed to vary the uniform to accommodate wearing the headscarf or be exempted if it is not possible. He reserves the right to seek legal recourse if she is prevented from participating in her clinical attachment due to wearing the headscarf.

1. 29 June 2009
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
RE: REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION REGARDING UNIFORM
Dear Sir/Madam,
1. I am writing to you on behalf of my daughter, Nurul Iiman Zhulkeflee, NRIC No:
S9108529A, student ID: S10076184B, who is currently pursuing her first year
Diploma studies in Health Sciences faculty, Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
2. We understand that as part of her course she is required to do an attachment
program with your Institution.
3. At the onset we are informing you that Nurul Iiman, 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. Please note that this is a significant part
of her dress and cannot be regarded as accessory. 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 your uniform code contravene
commandments of our religion), or allow her to vary the manner of her wearing such
uniform, to accommodate our religious requirement.
4. We are confident that religious rights are protected and tolerated in our multi-
religious country. No one should be discriminated for reasonably upholding any of
their basic rights as a citizen.
5. We have read thoroughly the Handbook (Clinical Logbook) on “Clinical Attachment
(CA) Module Instructions – clause 13. UNIFORM CODE, and as we understand, no
where does it explicitly state that she is required to remove her headscarf which
already has become a part of her compulsory dressing in public. Lest some people
may misconstrue it as accessory, we must reiterate that this interpretation is
erroneous and insistence to regard it as such, so as to require for its removal, may be
deemed ultra vires, for which we reserve the right to object.
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2. 6. As this matter (regarding interpretation of this clause) is ambiguous, and insistence
upon a narrow interpretation which unreasonably infringes into my daughter’s
modesty, may be deemed by us to be prejudicial, and therefore clarifications are in
order before compliance. I have already written to the Director Health Sciences,
Ngee Ann Polytechnic, explaining to her that:
“... we are not being rigid. As we have explained, only “... if the need arises which is
reasonable (such as in emergency or actual medical procedure requiring temporary
exposure) these would be fair basis for her to accommodate.” So, we hope that
perhaps you may enlighten us as to the compelling reason, if any, why a Muslim lady
must contravene commandments of her religion.”
7. We have yet to receive a written memo informing us as to which authority, under
which by-laws, or who insisted that every Muslim lady nursing student must remove
her compulsory headscarf, and what is its rationale, so that we can take up the issue
directly with them.
8. We are also aware of the clause, “If you do not meet the requirements, you will be
asked to leave the clinical area immediately to get yourself sorted out.” Lest any who
may be over-zealous in trying to misapply this, (only because of her headscarf,
whereas she has fully complied in putting on the required uniform) please also be
informed, that any act to deprive my daughter from participating in her attachment
because of this would not be taken lightly and we reserve the right to seek legal
redress if need be.
9. I would appreciate that in future, any significant verbal instructions regarding this
matter for my daughter to comply be followed up in writing, copied to me.
10. Hoping for your kind understanding on this matter.
Thank you
Sincerely yours,
‫ذوامكفل حاج امسعيل‬
Zhulkeflee Bin Haji Ismail
Apt. Block 716,
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3. #04-4504
Bedok Reservoir Road,
Singapore
470716.
cc. Dr. Phang Chiew Hun,
Director of Health Sciences,
Ngee Ann Polytechnic,
535 Clementi Road,
Singapore 599489.
Madam Siti Muslehat
Dr. Ronnie Lim
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