POLICE Scotland is urging Muslim women to join the force after making the hijab an official part of the uniform.
While Muslims are one of the largest faith groups in Scotland, there are currently just six Muslim women serving on the force.
Yesterday, Chief Constable Phil Gormley said he hoped that would change after the service formally ratified the hijab.
He said: “Like many other employers, especially in the public sector, we are working towards ensuring our service is representative of the communities we serve.
“I hope that this addition to our uniform options will contribute to making our staff mix more diverse and add to the life skills, experiences and personal qualities that our officers and staff bring to policing the communities of Scotland.”
Officers and staff have always had the option to wear religious headwear, including the turban and kippah. It is hoped that formal recognition for the hijab will help overcome low numbers of Muslim women in the police.
The six Muslim women currently serving do not wear a head covering, but the scarf remains an important symbol of faith and culture for many.
A report to the Scottish Police Authority earlier this year showed there were 4,800 applications to join Police Scotland in 2015-16, but only 127 – less than three per cent – were made by people from ethnic minorities.
It stated: “Based on these figures, it is clear to see the challenge Police Scotland faces. If the black and minority ethnic groups (BME) national average of four per cent is to be met within the organisation, an additional 650 BME recruits are required across all areas of the business. Considering current application trends, this would appear to be unachievable.”
There are currently no images of the planned hijab, but it is understood that it will be similar to that approved by the Metropolitan Police in London a decade ago, coloured black with a checked outer edge.
Welcoming the move, Fahad Bashir, chairman of the Scottish Police Muslim Association, said: “This is a positive step in the right direction, and I am delighted that Police Scotland is taking productive steps to ensure our organisation is seen to be inclusive and represents the diverse communities that we serve across Scotland. No doubt this will encourage more women from Muslim and minority ethnic backgrounds to join Police Scotland.”
The change comes after authorities in several areas of France were seen to clamp down on Muslim women’s dress, banning the wearing of burkini swimsuits on public beaches and swimming pools.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “By offering the hijab as part of its uniform, Police Scotland are showing a welcome commitment to being more representative of the communities it serves.
“Scotland’s diversity is a strength, and employers have a vital role to play in engaging with faith and belief communities to ensure a future built on mutual trust, respect and understanding.”
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