‘Magnetic hijabs’ introduced in UK for Muslim recruits | UK | News
A new magnetic hijab design could soon be introduced in the UK police force in a bid to attract more Muslim female recruits. Police chiefs say the “Blue Light Headscarf” is designed for “safety and modesty”, saying it offers a practical solution for Muslim women in law enforcement. The headscarf consists of two separate pieces of fabric connected by a magnetized quick-release buckle.
This system allows the bottom to detach without exposing the officer’s hair if pulled while confronting a suspect, effectively preventing strangulation while still covering the officer’s hair. Leicestershire Police has already distributed the new headscarves to all eligible officers, while other forces have also issued orders. The suits are expected to be adopted by other emergency room workers, including paramedics and hospital staff.
The headscarf was developed in collaboration between Leicestershire Police and De Montfort University.
The development of Hijab has been going on for 20 years
Detective Sergeant Yassin Desai first suggested the idea of headscarves for female police officers 20 years ago. “It actually took years to develop properly,” he said. “We completed combat trials at Enderby with female officers wearing it, and it survived. The bottom part could come off and the officer could maintain her dignity.”
DS Desai expressed his satisfaction with the final product, saying, “It’s great to think that after three years of research and development, we’ve gotten this design right and are taking it forward together. It’s a great product, it’s safe and it protects the dignity of Muslim women.”
The design team spent 16 months perfecting the new-look headscarves at Massey University College in Wellington, New Zealand. DS Desai has previously stated: “We saw the New Zealand hijab and liked the look of it, so we got in touch, built a really good relationship and have been trying it out for a few weeks.”
‘Professional’ appearance
“This is really important for our Muslim officers who wear the hijab. There is a need for an operationally standard hijab,” DS Desai stressed. “It looks professional, uses a very similar material to our current police uniform and has relevant design and safety features.
“More importantly, it will encourage other Muslim women to become police officers. It will also help provide role models to the community that will show them that they too can pursue a career in policing.”
Earlier this year PC Zara Basharat, of West Midlands Police, revealed she was stripped of her headscarf and subjected to racial slurs and abuse while policing pro-Palestinian protests.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, Muslims currently make up 2.5 per cent of police officers in England and make up 6 per cent of the population, with 4 million Muslims living in the country.
