Updated: November 18, 2020 6:04:42 pm
Officer Zeena Ali is the first member of the New Zealand police to wear a specially designed hijab as part of her uniform. (Image Source: NewZealandPolice / Instagram)
Officer Zeena Ali is the first member of the New Zealand police to wear a specially designed hijab introduced as part of the force’s uniform to encourage more Muslim women to join the ranks.
Zeena, 30, was inspired to join the police in helping her Muslim community after the Christchurch terror attack last year in which 51 people were killed in two mosques in New Zealand.
Not only will she graduate as a police officer this week, she will become the first in New Zealand to don a police-issued hijab as part of her uniform, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Zeena has worked with police to design a garment that is functional for her new role and considerate of her religion, she said.
“It feels great to be able to go out and show off the hijab of the New Zealand Police uniform because I was able to participate in the design process,” she said, adding that she was “proud” to represent her community, especially women.
Zeena believes the measure will encourage other women to apply force as well.
“Having a hijab with the police mark means that women, who may not have considered surveillance before, can now. It’s great how the police incorporated my religion and my culture, ”he said.
Born in Fiji, Zeena moved to New Zealand with her family as a child.
He appreciated the police for considering his personal needs, both in Police College and in his future role.
“At the university they had a prayer room and halal meals. When I had to go swimming, they were fine with me wearing long sleeves, ”said Zeena.
“We need more Muslim women to help out in the community, most of them are too scared to talk to the police and would probably close the front door if a man showed up to talk to them. If we have more women showing up, a more diverse front line, then we can reduce more crime, ”he said.
Valuing diversity is one of the six core values of the New Zealand Police, alongside professionalism, respect, integrity, empathy and commitment to Maori and the Treaty of Waitangi, according to the report.
“We recognize the value that different perspectives and experiences bring to improving ourselves in what we do,” said New Zealand Police.
“We need people with a variety of skills, backgrounds and levels of experience – diversity is essential if we are to effectively serve the needs of New Zealand communities now and in the future,” he said.
In 2008, the New Zealand Police introduced a turban to the uniform and Nelson Constable Jagmohan Malhi became the first officer to wear it on duty. Until then he had to give up the turban on duty, despite being an important part of his Sikh faith.
In the UK, the London Metropolitan Police approved a uniform hijab in 2006 and the Scottish Police followed it in 2016. In Australia, Maha Sukkar of the Victoria Police wore a hijab in 2004, the BBC said in a report.
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