UAE | General

Dubai Bank says all female staff must wear abayas

Muslim and non-Muslim female staff of a bank in Dubai told to wear abayas starting this Ramadan, Gulf News learns.

  • By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 22:50 August 21, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Dubai: All female staff at Dubai Bank, Muslim and non-Muslim, must wear a shailah (head scarf) and abaya (black cloak covering the whole body) starting this Ramadan, Gulf News has learnt.

A memo sent to staff on Thursday says the bank has decided that all Muslim and non-Muslim female staff must wear a shailah and abaya.

A Dubai Bank official who would not reveal his name said a memo was issued to this effect by the human resources manager, informing employees that starting from the first day of Ramadan all female employees must wear a shailah and abaya regardless of their religion.

"Our bank is Islamic and must follow Sharia in all respects, which will satisfy our clients," he said. While the decision takes effect beginning first of Ramadan, it has become a rule and part of the dress code for female employees at all times.

Gulf News contacted Dubai Bank on several occasions, but officials would not comment on the memo.

Gulf News has learnt that the proposal on the dress code was made by the bank's Fatwa and Sharia Supervisory Board in June and it was endorsed by the management. A circular was then issued on Thursday.

The Fatwa and Sharia Supervisory Board's proposal, a copy of which has been obtained by Gulf News, says the abaya should not have any embroidery or decoration on it and must not be coloured.

It says any female staff who does not adhere to this dress code should be advised by the human resources department at the bank to follow it.

If the staff member insists on not abiding by the law then the matter should be brought to the notice of the executive member of the Sharia supervisory board who can decide upon action to be taken against that staff.

The bank will encourage employees to wear a shailah and abaya by providing staff with them. The head of the human resources department has been instructed to ensure that employees adhere to the dress code.

The bank has given employees a grace period until after the Eid holiday after which it will become mandatory.

The proposal, signed by Shaikh Mohammad Taqi Usmani, Chairman of the Fatwa and Sharia Supervisory Board of Dubai Bank, says the move will gain customers' confidence and help market the bank's products.

Many customers, the proposal said, choose a bank based upon its appearance before considering other aspects. The dress code is essential in determining the bank's identity as a Sharia compliant institution.


Your comments


It is reaaly good idea specially this holy month of Ramadan. This should apply both public and private offices....
Mariam
Dubai,Phillipine
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:33

i am very happy with this . thanks. govt
Omar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:32

I don't think its right to adhere to islamic clothes only in Ramadan and take it off later, it does not make sense. Plus we cannot force people. No where in our muslim religion it says we have to force non muslim women to wear this or that. Our religion is flexible. I strongly disagree.
Sara Othman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:29

where's the choice in this? the right to choose? the fundamental right? where is that?
Hira N
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:29

Total UAE should be wear abaya in the Ramadan month
Thameem Ansari
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:25

Great Idea...all must adhere to it.
Reema
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:22

I think it should have been stated in employment contracts regarding dress code.If employees accepts the contract, shes is abide by law to follow it unless she wants to quit the job.But forcing non muslims to wear as well,hmmm.how about you ask them to accept islam instead and then they will automatically follow it? So why just for Ramadan only?
Nomi
London,Britain
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:18

A BETTER SERVICES TO THE CUSTOMER AND PROMPT SERVICE BY LADIES STAFF IS MORE BETTER AT LEAST DURING THE TIME OF RAMADAN. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN THE SERVCIES PROVIDED BY THE FEW OF WOMEN STAFF IS NOT QUITE SATISFACTORY
IGNATIUS
dubai,uae
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:18

good decission.improve the image of uae as a muslim country.
Imran
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:16

I am a non muslim lady, have earlier lived several years in UAE. I think the new dress code rule in Dubai Bank is excellent. I also wish that non muslim residents and visitors would at all times dress in a modest way as they move around in public areas and while outside hotels. UAE is after all a muslim country and this should not be forgotten, despite the modern life style and environment.
M.S.
Gothenburg,Sweden
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:11

I do welcome and acclaim this verdict by Manager - HRM but this sharia rule should be implemented on Islamic-women only. It should not be enforced on non-islamic women. Islam does not permit impulsion or compulsion on any one .
Mohi Al Deen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:10

As a long time ex resident of Dubai and nowadays a frequent visitor to UAE, I feel that the bank could have advised its employees to dress decently/modestly and should not enforce the abaya.
Jai Babu
Mumbai,India
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:10

Mabrook, Very attractive and powerfull decision , congrats." Other GCC country also should follow the rule.
Suhas Vannanchal
Ruwi,Oman
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:05

Its an excellent idea if all the female staff are muslims who are of different nationalities. How many customers select bank based on staff's appearance? Why hire non-muslims if that was the case.
Sanjay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:04

Its a well and the best way to spread islamic education among others. and to make others to be aware of such islamic teachings.I say its a very nice decision.
Khadija
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:01

This act will play a major role to develop an Islamic environment for an Islamic bank. I remember decade ago when another bank also use to make their non-muslim staff wear Shelia, Abaya
Adnan Jamil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 13:00

this is the good decision and should be adopted in all private and public offices.and the non-muslim women should realize that if they will wear islamic dress code it will enhance their feminine honour. so please dont hesitate for wearing shailah and of course muslim women are also performing thier duties with the dress code as well.
Shahzad Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:58

This is sending a wrong signal especially to Non-muslims. I think this should be non-compulsory and by choice only.
Manny
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:55

It's a good sign of modest, descent and polite society and hope the other organizations not only banks will follow this enlightening example set by the bank.
Riyaz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:54

I think it's wrong to force a lady to wear an Abaya, especially a non-muslim lady. A very poor decision and I hope this doesn't go over to other banks.
Khalid
Manama,Bahrain
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:54

This is a really good news, it will be reflected to other institutions to follows, female staff must adhere here culture, tradition and shariah law. I suggest every institution of this country must obey of these idea.
Mohammad Saleh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:51

It is very good decision, I appreciate the management. I hope this would follow other banks and companies in the country. Thanks again for the authorities
Ali Akbar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:45

Really nice to see the iniative taken by Dubai Bank,Rest of banks should also consider it as UAE is a muslim country and we should not forget who we are. Along with this i request for the Malls to take down a strict note, as i am still seeing ladies visiting malls with indecent dressing....
Asma Siddiq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:40

Ramadan Kareem!! The concept is correct and acceptable, but why non-muslims should wear a religious robe meant for Muslim women ? When people outside the bank or the non-muslim customers can walk-in without Abaya, why staff (non-muslims) should wear them inside the office?? The reason given is also not so convincing..a prospective customer never looks at the appearance of the bank, it is just the best products available and the service level offered to them. Why was this not communicated to the non-muslim women at the time of appointment , and now why so late ? My request to the concerned authorities is to apply the rules keeping in mind that you employ people from all religions and then say they have to follow a certain rule which may be not acceptable to them. Better employ the best from the same flock and there will be no issues.
Vijay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:34

This is a very good move, i appreciate the effort made by The Fatwa and Sharia Supervisory Board, every other organization should follow this dress code, so that everyone feel that this a islamic country.
Syed Akram Ali
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:28

About time!!
Fulan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:27

As the article says, by having all ladies in the bank dressed in abayas, the business will be increased. The article also mentions "the move will gain customer's confidence and help market the bank's products" . By saying this I understand that the purpose of this decision is a marketing plan to increase profits of the bank and to make this particular bank a step ahead of its competitors. To me, I do not see that the main purpose of this decision to be a religious one but rather a pure marketing one.
Mark Freiwat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:20

Great decission taken. And I hope if the same rule is also applicabe in private and public sector atleast for the month of ramadan.
Adnan Zakir
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:12

It is very good step by Dubai authority. They should make compulsory for all govt as well as private sectors also.
Syed Farhanul Hafiz
Hafuf,KSA
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:12

Other bank should also follow.
Irfan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:09

Wow ! thats GREAT ! keep it UP !
Abu Khalid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 12:05

When an employee signed a contract, did it had to adhere to this strict dress code policy to be maintained during ramadan? The bank could have asked its employees to dress modestly during this period (or all times), and not enforce out of choice to make one wear the abaya.
Shaikh S.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 11:53

I dont feel its right to force a person who doesnt want to wear abaya, especially a non-muslim.
John
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 11:09

its an excellent idea, i hope that in entire U.A.E,ladies should wear proper clothes in public area as well,as this is our muslim country,but its still sad to see few ladies who delebrately show off in public..There should be an action taken against these people.
Ala'a Khan Al Balushi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 22, 2009, 11:04

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