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Oct 30, 2009 3:03 pm US/Central
TX Doctor Told Clinic Rules Bars Islamic Headscarf
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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Council on American Islamic Relations logo
AP
A doctor applying for a position at a medical clinic in Allen said she was turned down because of her religious headscarf. Hena Zaki of Plano said the clinic simply told her they had a "no hat" policy.
Zaki has worn a Hijab, or Muslim headscarf, since she was 14 years old. She's 29 now. She's also a wife and a mother. Zaki said she likes wearing the headscarf because it defines who she is. "You're more of a person, and people judge you based on your character, not your appearance," Zaki said.
So, she wore the headscarf to a job interview on October 14 at the CareNow clinic in Allen.
"Ten minutes into the interview," Zaki explained, "he interrupted the interview and said he didn't want me to be surprised or take this the wrong way rather, but that CareNow had a 'no hat' policy."
Zaki didn't know how to take it. She wanted clarification. So, she sent them an e-mail.
She started out saying: "I'm very interested and would like to continue discussions, however, during my interview, I experienced something that was concerning to me that I needed to share."
Then, she said, "Being that I wear a headscarf as part of my religious practice, I felt very discriminated against."
The response from CareNow was brief.
Dear Dr. Zaki,
Dr. Jones correctly informed you of our policy.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mark Anduss
Hena Zaki is a doctor, a recent residency graduate who was applying for a physician's position. Zaki said, "To think that somebody in this profession would discriminate based on religious practices was very disheartening and very disappointing to me."
CareNow President Tim Miller said this must have been a misunderstanding. He said they would certainly hire Zaki if she was qualified. However, Miller says she should have "asked for special accomodations."
Zaki should have said something during the interview, Miller said. She should have told them she needed to wear the headscarf as part of her religion.
However, In a statement Saturday Miller said CareNow will clarify it's policy and will continue to provide training to their current employees to try and prevent future understandings.
Miller also said "
We look forward to sitting down with Dr. Zaki and discussing potential job opportunities. Bright, young doctors like her are just what we're looking for."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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