Rabat – Laila Chini, the winner of MasterChef Morocco, expressed shock and indignation after a restaurant in Rabat denied her access because of her hijab.
The chef posted stories on her social networks, denouncing Funky Chen’s decision not to allow her in the restaurant due to her Hijab.
“It is racist and discriminatory. This is the first time that I have seen such a thing. I have visited many countries and I have never been banned from accessing a restaurant because of my hijab,” she said.
She also wondered how a restaurant in a Muslim country can implemente a policy like that.
The decision of the restaurant to ban the chef from entering its facility made headlines in local media.
Many people also expressed support for and solidarity with Laila, thanking her for making her voice heard and exposing the restaurant for the acts.
One supporter wrote to Laila, thanking her for the courage to speak up about the situation and defend women wearing hijab, who are subject to similar circumstances in restaurants and swimming pools.
“You are a strong woman as always. Bravo Laila for bringing up this topic and for defending women who are subject to such issues, especially in the swimming pool,” one social network wrote.
Morocco World News contacted Funky Chen for a comment but the restaurant was unreachable at the time.
The restaurant issued a statement to apologize through their Instagram story but removed it later.
Social network users are using the “boycott_funky_chen” hashtag in Arabic to encourage people to join the campaign against the restaurant’s act.
Some others are asking people to write reviews on the restaurant, citing the experience Laila had with Funky Chen.
