Wearing a Hijab in Surgery: Balancing Faith and Professionalism

Introduction: More Than a Headscarf

Performing surgery is an act rooted in precision. The operating room demands focus, cleanliness, and unwavering professionalism. For Muslim female surgeons who choose to wear a hijab, this environment becomes a negotiation between cultural identity, religious commitment, and clinical practice.

From debates about scrub color compatibility and safety protocols to encounters with patient assumptions and hospital policies, wearing a hijab in surgery is layered with complex experiences. This comprehensive exploration—rooted in lived experience—unpacks those layers: the obstacles faced, the benefits gained, and how the medical community best supports cultural and religious diversity.

1. Cultural and Religious Significance of the Hijab

A Symbol of Modesty and Faith

The hijab, beyond being a piece of clothing, is a visible manifestation of faith and modesty. For many female physicians, wearing the hijab affirms their religious identity and reflects Islamic principles of modesty in daily behavior, even within an operating theater.

A Marker of Identity and Belonging

During training, surgeons often encounter environments where their cultural identity feels underrepresented. Wearing a hijab—especially in clinical leadership positions—signals to others that medicine is a space where diverse backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

2. Practical Considerations in the Operating Room

Aseptic Integrity

The hijab must be fully contained under surgical caps to adhere to sterile field protocols. Muslim surgeons reported early training periods where coordinating hijab layers, caps, and bouffant coverage felt awkward. With mentorship and institutional support, many medical centers standardized hijab‑compatible scrub caps.

Comfort and Heat

Surgeons in hot OR environments—especially during long procedures—must contend with extra layers beneath sterile caps. Breathable, moisture-wicking hijabs designed specifically for surgical settings are now available in many regions.

3. Institutional Policies: Encouraging or Excluding?

Permissive vs Prohibitive Policies

Most hospitals in multicultural nations (e.g., UK, Canada, Egypt, UAE, Malaysia, US urban centers) now permit hijabs in the OR if sterilization standards are maintained. Yet in certain institutions, policies remain unclear or implicitly discouraging—generating discomfort, microaggressions, and hidden bias.

Role of Leadership and Policies

Inclusive policy development—featuring Muslim surgeons—can institutionalize permissiveness. A 2024 healthcare review found that facilities with explicit religious attire policies had 30% higher retention rates among minority physicians.

4. Patient Perspectives and Trust

Representation Builds Confidence

Patients from Muslim-majority backgrounds often report feeling more at ease when a surgeon wears a hijab—perceiving shared values, cultural understanding, or linguistic affinity. This emotional bond may contribute to higher patient comfort and trust, particularly in sensitive surgical contexts.

Misconceptions and Bias

Conversely, patients unfamiliar with the hijab may harbor misconceptions, worrying about contamination or professionalism. Proactive and respectful dialogue—explaining sterilization practices and surgical norms—helps dissolve such barriers.

5. Colleagues’ Attitudes and Workplace Culture

Supportive vs Dismissive Peer Environments

When surgical teams and administrators demonstrate curiosity rather than judgment, wearing a hijab fosters team cohesion. Surgeons often recount supportive colleagues offering “hijab‑friendly caps” or helping adjust head coverings after scrub sessions.

Microaggressions and Implicit Bias

Sadly, some surgeons report subtle undermining: from jokes about “too many threads under your cap” to questions about whether the hijab will “interfere with sterility.” Awareness training and bystander interventions help curb these behaviors.

6. Intersectionality and Career Trajectories

Navigating Public Assumptions

In global surgical conferences or media, wearing a hijab can lead to assumptions—both positive and negative—about professional competence. Some female surgeons note that their achievements are often framed as “in spite of” their hijab, rather than alongside it.

Mentorship and Representation

Seeing senior female surgeons who wear hijabs is empowering. Representation at the leadership level—on boards, teaching faculties, and professional societies—helps dilute stereotypical narratives and encourages early-career physicians to pursue specialty training.

7. Psychological Resilience and Identity Integrity

Anchoring Through Identity

Wearing a hijab can enhance psychological resilience, especially in environments where Muslims may feel isolated. It preserves a sense of identity and purpose beyond medicine—integrating spiritual commitment with clinical excellence.

Challenges of a Dual Identity

Balancing professional expectations in high-stakes settings with religious modesty norms can be mentally taxing. Surgeons report scenarios like removing hijab-compatible caps mid-procedure due to discomfort, seeing it as a spiritual and emotional disconnect.

8. Adaptive Innovations and Best Practices

Hijab-Compatible Surgical Caps

Many manufacturers now offer sterile surgical caps with built-in hijab extensions or adjustable head covers that fit under bouffants while maintaining sterility.

Institutional Training and Awareness

Hospitals can include modules on religious clothing compliance within aseptic training sessions, and encourage open Q&A sessions where staff learn how cultures shape surgical attire choices.

Role-Modeling and Policy Advocacy

Prominent surgeons who openly wear hijabs and share their journeys—through public speaking, medical curricula, and mentorship—play pivotal roles in normalizing cultural diversity in surgical spaces.

9. Global Comparisons: Practices Around the World

• United Kingdom & Canada: Broad acceptance in major hospitals, with standard policies permitting religious attire.
• United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Pakistan: High visibility of hijab-wearing surgeons; cultural norms support Islamic dress in medicine.
• United States: Mixed experiences; progressive urban centers tend to be supportive, while certain conservative regions display hostility or vague restrictions.
• Europe (France, Germany): In some regions, secular policies limit public religious expressions, making hospital-specific policy enforcement more controversial.
• Egypt and Jordan: Hijab-wearing female surgeons are commonplace—though institutional leadership may still be male-dominated, promoting the importance of representation at higher levels.

10. The Broader Cultural Impact

Wearing a hijab in surgery isn’t only about individual identity—it’s about challenging stereotypes, broadening representation, and encouraging hospitals to reflect the communities they serve. It invites dialogue on how healthcare settings adapt—not just medically, but culturally—to diverse practitioners and patients alike.