Government should prepare to allow Muslim nurses to wear the tudung: PM Lee

SINGAPORE: The Authorities ought to put together to permit Muslim nurses to put on the tudung with their uniform, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated on Saturday (Apr 10).

Talking to reporters after a closed-door dialogue with Malay Muslim group and spiritual leaders on Saturday, Mr Lee stated: “I advised them that I had concluded that we should always put together to make such a transfer for nurses as a result of individuals's attitudes have modified, as a result of in social and work settings, the tudung is now extra widespread.

"And on its own, we can see the merits of allowing ... Muslim nurses to wear the tudung with their uniform if they wish.”

He added that the community leaders knew that the Government has been considering allowing Muslim nurses to wear the tudung for “quite some time”, because the Government has been “engaging and consulting them quietly”.

"PREPARE THE GROUND": PM LEE

However earlier than the change is made, the Authorities might want to “prepare the ground”, stated the Prime Minister.

“We have to make sure that everybody understands this is a careful adjustment. Not a wholesale change, and we want people to realise what the limits are, as we make these changes,” Mr Lee added.

“And we must make sure that Singaporeans, both Muslims and non-Muslims, are ready to accept the move.”

The method will “take a bit of time”, and Mr Lee has requested the group leaders to assist the Authorities with the method over the following few months.

“I hope that by the National Day Rally, which will be at the end of August, we should be ready to make a decision, and I shall have something to report,” stated the Prime Minister.

The closed-door dialogue with Malay Muslim group and spiritual leaders was the Prime Minister’s first such dialogue since 2014, when the topic of carrying the tudung was additionally raised.

“Today we had a candid and sincere discussion, focusing more specifically on tudung for nurses. But, of course, going beyond that too,” stated Mr Lee.

He thanked them for “walking with the Government on this complex journey” and for serving to them to handle an necessary situation.

“We are a multiracial and multireligious country. It's a delicate balance, but we are fully committed to preserving our harmony, and to maintaining our common space,” he stated.

“We want to avoid creating unintended consequences … when we make well intentioned moves.”

"CANNOT RUSH TO A DECISION": MASAGOS

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli stated the dialogue was “constructive and candid” and that the group leaders obtained to listen to what the Authorities’s place and concerns are.

He added that there was a standard understanding that this situation should be approached fastidiously as a result of it includes racial and spiritual sensitivities.

"Therefore, we cannot rush to a decision. At the heart of the matter is how we strike a good balance in allowing our nurses to put on the tudung with their uniform, so that this decision can win the support of all communities, preserve common space and at the same time strengthen our social cohesion," he stated.

READ: Authorities appreciates rising significance of tudung to Muslims, contemplating how nurses can put on it with uniforms: PM Lee

He added that in doing so, the Authorities hoped it might probably assist the request by nurses to don the tudung with their uniform.

“We know, we empathise that they want to lead meaningful religious lives daily, because this is also their religious identity,” stated Mr Masagos.

“Our racial and religious harmony is precious and the Malay Muslim community will safeguard these together with the rest of Singaporeans. We’ll continue to engage Singaporeans on this matter.

“I hope to seek everyone's support as we deliberate on this issue, and work towards an outcome that’s acceptable to all Singaporeans.”

Mr Masagos added that the Authorities has “always empathised” with the request by nurses to placed on their tudung with their uniform.

“But we have to be very careful, because it is not just about the Muslim request alone. Any move, any change in our society must be (carried) very carefully, because it involves interaction with other people,” he added.

He stated it's a “whole-of-government” strategy and that they're reaching out to “every stakeholder” on this situation.

Minister for Dwelling Affairs Ok Shanmugam in March signalled a probable change within the Authorities's stance on nurses carrying the tudung, and stated they have been consulting the group.

READ: Probably change in stance on nurses carrying the tudung; situation mentioned with Muslim spiritual leaders in August: Shanmugam

READ: Authorities’s secular stand on situation of carrying tudungs with public service uniforms has been ‘consistently clear’: Masagos

MP Faisal Manap (WP-Aljunied) had raised the problem in Parliament earlier this 12 months. Mr Masagos answered on Mar 8 that the Authorities would proceed to have discussions and consultations with the group behind closed doorways.

BALANCING RELIGIOUS NEEDS: MUFTI

Mufti Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir stated on Saturday the tudung situation is about balancing the spiritual wants of communities.

"For example, in this case, the needs of Muslim nurses who choose to put on the tudung, while maintaining a high level of trust and confidence between communities," he stated.

"So conversations between Government and community leaders and religious leaders are very important for us to consider the full range of perspectives, as well as context for the considerations involved before moving to shift the policy."

He stated it is rather necessary that they “should not make a move that may undermine” Singapore's social cohesion, however as an alternative to proceed to strengthen it and "enlarge our common spaces".

"I think due to the hard work of our communities in forging greater trust and confidence, we are in a better position now to move on with such a change, and I hope that we will continue to give the support, working together with the relevant agencies to ensure that this policy shift will only result in a stronger and more united society," he stated.

Madam Rahayu Mohamad, a MUIS council member and former president of the Singapore Muslim Girls's Affiliation (PPIS), stated Muslim ladies who want to "observe their religious prescription" would welcome the transfer. 

"The women that we actually talked to are educated and they're well informed, and the reason why they are still in these sectors is because they understand and (understand) very well in terms of the decision and the choices that they're making," she stated.