Imam Mohammed Elsadi has urged the government to issue a directive stating that women can wear the hijab headscarf at work in the public and private sectors.He said more Muslim women would join the workforce if the directive was issued.

He discussed the matter with the prime minister during his visit to the Mariam Al Batool School.

“The public is generally very tolerant of Islamic dress,” he said. But two Muslims in non-medical jobs in the health sector had been forced to remove the hijab. He also knew Muslim women teaching in government schools who did not wear the garment at work.

Asked if he would like the directive to include wearing the niqab (face covering) at work, Mr Elsadi said he was focusing only on the hijab.

Full story in The Times.