KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim) welcomes AirAsia’s decision to allow female cabin crew to wear the hijab, describing the move as "a step in the right direction."
Its president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said the policy should be expanded into a wider, syariah-friendly framework.
He said the policy ought to be strengthened into a holistic, syariah-compliant practice that included work procedures, operational guidelines, food and beverage preparation, integrity training and customer service policies that respected religious boundaries.
Azmi congratulated AirAsia for the uniform option, calling it a milestone that aligned with religious obligations while honouring the identity and rights of Muslim women in the aviation sector.
He said this reflected growing awareness among regional airlines of Malaysia’s cultural landscape.
"For Mapim, this is a positive indication that the aviation industry is beginning to appreciate the values of Malaysian society and the importance of implementing inclusive, ethical policies," he said.
He said Malaysia, as a Muslim-majority nation, should view syariah-compliant policies not as obstacles to professionalism or safety standards but as opportunities to strengthen a company’s reputation through respect for local culture and values.
Mapim also expressed its readiness to work with stakeholders to refine such policies.
Azmi said the organisation is committed to offering guidance and input to ensure syariah-friendly policies benefit both employees and passengers.
He said the organisation believes that broader acceptance of the hijab and Islamic principles in aviation supports Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to uphold its Islamic identity while remaining open and connected to the world.
He said he hopes that AirAsia’s move will inspire other airlines to adopt similar initiatives.
"We want this decision to be a catalyst for more comprehensive, consistent and sustainable policies that reflect the aspirations of Malaysians who expect workplaces and public services to respect Islamic values," he said.
AirAsia recently announced that it has refreshed its cabin crew uniform policy, allowing female staff to wear the hijab if they choose.
Previously, the hijab design was mainly used on routes such as Jeddah. The airline said the updated policy enables crew members to serve passengers while expressing their faith, demonstrating that professionalism and religious observance can coexist.
By embracing diverse beliefs and practices, AirAsia said it aims to evolve with its workforce and reaffirm that respect for individual identity remains integral to its culture and long-term success.