Religious Leaders in Mauritius Condemn Dismissal of Two Women who Wore Muslim Headscarves at Work

Port Louis, 31 July, 2025 / 2:47 AM

Religious leaders in the Indian Ocean Island nation of Mauritius have expressed concern about the reported dismissal of two Muslim women from their jobs, allegedly for wearing the Muslim headscarf (hijab) at work.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 29, members of the Council of Religions (CoR) in Mauritius reaffirm the right of all citizens to freely practice their religion without fear of discrimination.

“The Mauritius Council of Religions expresses deep concern over the reported dismissal of two Muslim women employed at ENS Africa Mauritius, allegedly due to their decision to wear the hijab, a religious obligation and a personal expression of faith,” CoR members say.

The religious leaders add, “As a multi-faith society founded on mutual respect, tolerance, and the protection of fundamental rights, Mauritius must remain vigilant in upholding the constitutional right to freedom of religion and belief.”

They note that the right to practice one’s religion without fear of discrimination is enshrined in the country’s Constitution and must be protected in all sectors, including the workplace.

“No citizen should be penalized or excluded from professional spaces because of their religious attire or beliefs,” CoR members say, and emphasize that “The values of dignity, diversity, and inclusivity are not only legal principles but also moral foundations of our society.”

The dismissed women, initially suspended, received immediate termination letters on July 18, citing insubordination, misinformation, alleged threats to colleagues, and disruption at work. However, the women argue the claims were a pretext, saying their refusal to remove the hijab was the real trigger.

Their lawyer, Barrister Imtihaz Mamoojee, asserts the terminations are a blatant breach of their rights. “They were never warned or accused of poor performance. They were suspended, then fired solely for wearing the hijab,” he said, adding, “This is about freedom of thought, expression, and choice.”

In a rare move, the Mauritian government has also taken a strong stand, with the country’s council of Ministers who met on July 25,  voicing their alarm over the case and referring it to the Employment Relations Tribunal (ERT), which may rule on the women's possible reinstatement. 

The Mauritian government is also considering disciplinary action against the law firm and legislative amendments to prevent such incidents in the future.

Labour Minister Reza Uteem denounced the dismissals as a potential violation of religious freedom and equal treatment. “Refusing employment to someone because of religious attire contradicts our core values,” he said, affirming Mauritius’s identity as a multi-faith democracy.