How true the old saying: He who pays the piper calls the tune. In blogosphere, there are several reports (from the same source – therealitycheck.org) that a new hospital in Bolivia, funded by Iran, has bowed to the demands of the Iranians that all female nurses there must wear the hijab as part of their uniform.
It seems that Iran provided $1.2 million for the new El Alto city hospital in Bolivia. In return for this purported small sum of money, Bolivia reportedly agreed to this Iranian demand.
About a fortnight ago, on November 24, Bolivian President Evo Morales and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held a teleconference to mark the opening of this new hospital. At this ceremony, nurses were seen wearing hijabs as part of their uniform.
How did the Roman Catholic majority folks react to this? Lourdes Millares from the Democratic and Social Power Party did not mince his words. He described President Evo Morales’ action as a “submission to the rules of another government” and “an assault on the dignity of women.” Lourdes Millares added: “We must make clear to the Iranian government that that hospital is Bolivian territory. They have made their money is one thing but this is Bolivian territory.”
How did the Bolivian government defend its stand in making female nurses wear the hijabs? The Bolivian government newspaper, Cambio, puts it this way – that the hijab reflects “health, cleanliness and respect for the culture of Iran.”
But not everyone in the government agrees with this stand. Health Minister Ramiro Tapia described this compulsory wearing of the hijabs as an “assault on women.” Outraged Bolivians have reporteded demaind an explanation from him on this issue.
Think about it. Why would Bolivia need a small sum of $1.2 million from Iran and be subject to Iranians’ demand to enforce female nurses wearing of the hijab as part of the official nursing uniform? And why force the female nurses to wear the hijab when it is not a universal Muslim requirement?
Earlier posts
Kuwait – Women MPs Need Not Wear Hijab
Saudi Arabia – New Campus Provides Freedom For Women
The Muslim Niqab – Custom Or Faith?
Burka Not Welcome In France
Beauty Pageant – Saudi Style
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