Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia – 2016-08-10

Two Muslim students from Ethekwini have been denied from continuing their internships at the Tsogo Sun’s Elangeni and Maharani Hotels in KwaZulu-Natal after allegedly refusing to shave their beards in what is believed to be the latest case of alleged discrimination in South Africa.

 The students were allegedly threatened by Shaun Munro, a renowned South African chef and current executive head chef of both the hotels, who was approached for comment by Radio Islam, but declined on legal advice.

It is alleged that Munro demanded that the students shave their beards, or leave the internship program.

The two students, Yusuf Mohammed and Huzaifah Mohideen are currently enrolled at the Capsicum Culinary School, studying to become chefs.

They were placed at the Elangeni and Maharani hotels by the Culinary School and were to serve a four-month voluntary internship.

Yusuf was accepted by the hotel, which – according to his mother, had no problem with him or his appearance.

According to the student’s parents, at no point prior to the interview or during the interview was it made known to them that having a beard would render them non-eligible to work at the hotel.

“On the contract I signed, it did not mention anything about my beard, and the rule book states to keep hair neat and tidy, and says nothing about the beard,” according to Yusuf.

Huzaifah worked at the Maharani hotel for approximately 6 weeks and Yusuf was told on the day that he was to start his internship at the Elangeni Hotel that he had to either remove his beard or would have to leave.

Huzaifah’s father Ehsaan, says that aligned with the practices and legislation that governs the kitchen, his son ‘donned’ a beard net while fulfilling his duty’s in the kitchen.

The family can’t understand the events which followed as there was no breach of any health regulations.

When Yusuf’s mother Raadiah contacted Munro, it’s alleged that he made a statement which was anti-Muslim, discriminatory and biased toward her son and Huzaifah.

“He said that he does not care about our Muslim beliefs and he is not prepared to bend the rules. He also made a comment on whether they as a hotel now had to take all religions and religious values into consideration,” she said.

Yusuf says that the anger and deep hurt he felt that day cannot be described.

“I got mad and felt annoyed and angry because they picked on my beard even though I told them it’s part of my religious practices.” Huzaifah’s father Ehsaan, says this is unacceptable and questions the integrity of the head chef.

“Rules, which the hotel failed to communicate at the time of the interview, and living in South Africa goes against our human rights culture. If this is the attitude of the head chef, what guarantees do Muslim guests have on eating halaal food.”

Huzaifah says that South Africa is one of the few countries in the world where Muslims are allowed to practice their religion freely, and he says that what happened should never be repeated.

“We should not let the public; rules, workplace or even our government destroy what we have as Muslims in this country.”

Both students have started afresh and are currently completing their internships in Durban.

The Director of Human Relations of the two hotels, Sydney Zimba says the matter has been referred to the attention of their legal team.

Twitter: @thedabhelia

(Edited By Hesley Harmse)