Disposable Hijab

The Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM) takes pride in the recent news reporting the success of the disposable hijab invention created by a young Malaysian doctor, Dr Farah Shaheera Roslan, in the UK.

With this hijab, it will be easier for Muslim doctors, nurses and paramedics to perform their duties in the operating room or any location requiring sterility or a clean state, especially in countries where the majority are non-Muslim.

Alhamdulillah, in our country, wearing the hijab in the operating room has long been practised with Muslimah-friendly measures — providing 'disposable hijab' or allowing certain hijabs specifically for use in the operating room and ICU under established guidelines. The disposable hijab is also provided for Muslimah patients upon request.

The wearing of the hijab or surgical cap falls in the CLEAN (not sterile) category as stipulated in worldwide guidelines. The concept of 'Hospital Mesra Ibadah' (Ibadah-friendly Hospitals) also guides practice and ethics in our hospitals without affecting infection-control rules.

IMAM and its members have organised workshops on Ibadah-friendly Hospitals and medical fiqh, facilitating understanding of worship matters, aurat, ethics and related procedures.

IMAM welcomes such innovations and congratulates Dr Farah on her contribution to the ummah, hoping we continue to produce young creators and scientists who contribute to nation, religion and community — coinciding with the hadith: 'The best person is the one who benefits all human beings.'