The parent is requesting an exemption from the uniform policy for their daughter who is a Muslim student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Specifically, they are requesting that she be allowed to wear her headscarf and modest clothing as required by her faith. The parent explained that dressing is an important religious obligation in Islam. They also clarified that their daughter is willing to accommodate reasonable needs during medical training, but cannot remove her headscarf or expose parts of her body on campus as required by the current uniform policy. The parent is asking for understanding and reconsideration of the policy to avoid discrimination against their daughter for practicing her religion.

1. 30 May 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 Diploma studies
in Health Sciences faculty, at your prestigious institution.
2. Please be informed that 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.
3. We have already communicated our request for this exemption from the Director,
and had explained our position on this. She has responded that this uniform policy
may be a requirement only when she goes on attachment at hospital and polyclinics.
As such, during her stint in-campus, we hope that she is not compelled into
removing any of her attire forbidden by her faith, nor discriminated upon just
because she chooses to abide by her religious teachings.
4. As we stated to your Director, “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.”
5. As regard her explanation in reply to our letter, “training has to be in synchrony with
hospital practices”, surely we understand that this synchronization would not be
mere blind-imitation of those practices, disregarding our genuine concern for
compliance to our religious needs. Howbeit, 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. Yet, we do not find the insistence
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2. to comply with certain aspects of nurses’ uniform (e.g. uncovering the head) to have
any merit at all to over-ride our religious obligation. Also, we believe policies
affecting students applied within campus which are set by your institution are
entirely Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s prerogative, not the hospitals, thus we appeal to you
to reconsider this matter judiciously, with utmost compassion and consideration. As
to her attachment, we would write a separate request to the hospital/polyclinic
concerned on the matter of their policy.
6. Your understanding on this matter is much appreciated. Hope that this explanation
suffices.
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
‫ذوامكفل حاج امسعيل‬
Zhulkeflee Bin Haji Ismail
Apt. Block 716,
#04-4504
Bedok Reservoir Road,
Singapore
470716.
cc. Dr. Phang,
Director of Health Sciences,
Ngee Ann Polytechnic,
535 Clementi Road,
Singapore 599489.
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