MH17 The National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) has reiterated its call for Malaysia Airlines (MAS) female crew to be given the option to observe the Muslim dress code.
Responding to snide remarks linking the MH370 and MH17 tragedies to MAS crew’s “un-Islamic” uniforms, Nufam said such attacks were uncalled for as the crew have no say on their uniforms.
It said to accuse the Muslim female crew of ignoring their religion is “not true and unfair”, as the crew themselves had sought for the option to don headscarves, or the hijab, to cover their hair.
“It is time a hijab uniform is looked into for those Muslim crew members who opt to wear them during flight,” Nufam said in a statement.
A PAS MP and a Youth wing leader, when commenting on the downing of MH17 in east Ukraine, called on MAS to review its crew’s un-Islamic uniforms as well as its policy to serve alcohol on board.
Nasty Internet postings
Meanwhile, Nufam also slammed netizens who disparage female crew members as “loose and cheap”.
The union was referring to a heavily circulated meme by user ‘Geng Imart’, insinuating that the female crew members of MAS were offering sexual services.
“During this time when we are all aggrieved by the MH17 incident, there are some parties who pull jokes and condemn our crew. They even circulate nasty postings of our female crew members.
“We appeal to the individuals to stop criticising the crew as they are duty-bound people, serving a very large community of airline travellers.
“This is a respectable job and crew members don’t wish to be insulted by such jokes.
“We have lost so many lives over the last four months and this is the last thing anyone wants to read on any social network,” Nufam said.
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