EgyptAir to let hostesses wear Islamic headscarves

CAIRO (Reuters) - EgyptAir is allowing its stewardesses to wear Islamic headscarves if they wish on flights to Arab states and will expand the practice to the rest of the network, an official said on Sunday, ending a restriction imposed in Hosni Mubarak’s era.

It follows a similar move to allow presenters on state television’s flagship news broadcasts to wear the hijab, which covers the hair but not the face.

Although many Egyptian Muslim women wear the scarves, Mubarak’s administration had sought to restrict its usage in places such as on state television and the national carrier which were seen as the public face of Egypt.

President Mohamed Mursi and his administration have repeatedly said they will not impose strict Islamic codes of behaviour, but more secular-minded Egyptians and many Christians worry about the creeping implementation of social restrictions.

More from World

‘Groundless accusations’: Kremlin denies role in drone incursions in Poland As PM Modi and Xi reset bilateral ties, China’s EV giant BYD renews push into India

EgyptAir is designing a new hijab to be worn with the carrier’s uniform and that will be completed before expanding the new practice to services beyond the Arab world, the carrier’s deputy chairman, Abdel Aziz Fadel, said.

The airline began by letting stewardesses wear headscarves on trips to Jeddah and Medina, cities in Saudi Arabia used by pilgrims to Islamic holy sites, and have now expanded it to other Arab states.

Fadel said the hijabs would not affect the work of stewardesses and would be optional attire.

Headscarves are worn by stewardesses on some other airlines of Muslim nations.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

Nepal: Oli to continue until new PM is sworn in, nation on edge as all branches of govt torched

Oli resigns: Who Nepal Gen Z protesters will accept as next PM, Deuba, Prachanda or Koirala?

(Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Pravin Char)