Islamic veil on board EgyptAir flights for first time

EgyptAir allows its flight attendants to wear the Islamic veil until a customised uniform is available; men are still waiting for ruling on growing a beard

Some of EgyptAir's flight attendants started wearing the veil for the first time in the company's history on Saturday, following approval by the minister of aviation.
On 14 September Aviation Minister Samir Imbaby approved flight attendants' demand to wear the Islamic veil after almost a year of protests and lawsuits.
They will be temporarily allowed to wear a head scarf until they can replace it with a uniform cap to be released in December.
The head of EgyptAir holding company, Tawfiq Assy, detailed that the new uniform will be allowed on all of its flights in all countries.
In September for the first time in history, as well, a veiled woman (Fatma Nevine) anchored an Egyptian state television programme.
An EgyptAir cabin crew who filed a lawsuit on 10 July are still demanding the carrier allow them to grow beards.
The national carrier, along with many other airlines, prohibits stewards from growing facial hair, saying it prefers to have "clean cut" staff in direct contact with clients. No legalruling has been made and beards remain forbidden.
The interior ministry sacked policemen in February 2012 for growing beards in accordance with their religious belief. The policemen have a lawsuit pending and occasionally make appearances in demonstrations.