‘A female student is a daughter’

A King Edward Medical University (KEMU) professor had to apologise in class to MBBS students over allegedly controversial remarks made in class on the female veil (hijab), Pakistan Today learnt.
“If I ask a female student to take off her veil, I do it considering her my daughter. I do not regret what I said but I apologise if someone was hurt due to my statement,” KEMU Prof of Oncology and Allied Health Sciences Director Research and Sports Club Incharge Dr Shehryar said in a lecture theatre on Friday.Dr Shehryar was responding after a group of 4th year KEMU MBBS students filed a written complaint to KEMU acting VC Professor Asad Aslam over alleged remarks Dr Shehryar made in a ward class on Islam and the veil. The students lodged a complaint with the KEMU acting VC and began a campaign against the teacher on Facebook and text message.
On 24 January, during ward class, Dr Shehryar had allegedly criticised certain Islamic principles, including the female veil (hijab), after which a group of female students had sent a written complaint to the VC demanding that Dr Shehryar be immediately suspended and his offices be removed.
One of the SMSs asked students to join hands against the professor or be held accountable on “the Day of Judgment.” Speaking to Pakistan Today, Dr Shehryar said the controversy arose over a “misunderstanding” which had been resolved. He said only the VC was authorized to speak on the matter.
Speaking to Pakistan Today, KEMU acting VC Professor Asad Aslam said, “A group of nearly 20 students visited my office and lodged a complaint against Dr Shehryar. They alleged Dr Shehryar had given controversial statements regarding Islam and the veil.” Asad said, “I called a meeting of all university deans and Dr Shehryar to discuss the matter. Shehryar had told the class that a hijab is not essential in front of a teacher who is just like a father. However, I took Dr Shehryar in front of the entire 4th year class where he apologized for the remarks,” Aslam added. He said the matter had been discussed with two clerics who had declared it as a misunderstanding. He said two of the accusing students had apologised for misunderstanding Dr Shehryar’s statement.