Hijab for Norwegian police

The Norwegian government has agreed to amend the police uniform law to accommodate hijab, a decision hailed by the Scandinavian country's Muslim community.

"This is a nice gesture towards the Arab and Muslim community in Norway," Brahim Belkilani, the head of Islamic League in Norway, told IslamOnline.net on Thursday, February 5.

The government announced a day earlier that policewomen can don the hijab if they so wished.
Keltoum Hasnaoui, a 23-year-old Norwegian Muslim of Algerian origin, has petitioned the Justice Ministry on her write to serve in the police force with her hijab.

"After advice from the Police Directorate, it has been decided that rules on police uniforms will be modified to allow for the wearing of a religious scarf with the uniform," the Ministry said in a statement.

National Police Board Director Ingelin Killengreen said the decision as part of efforts to court more recruits from the Muslim community.

"We think it's necessary to recruit widely and to develop a police force which reflects all classes in society, regardless of beliefs and ethnicity, which is more important than demanding a neutral uniform," she wrote.

"It is important that all parts of our society should feel equal in their relations with the police."
Belkilani, the Muslim leader, expects the new rules to encourage other Muslim women to join the police force.

Islam sees hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one's affiliations.
Several European countries, including Sweden and Britain, already allow police officers to wear hijab.

Integration
Belkilani, whose group was established in 1987, believes that accommodating Muslim religious needs within the police force would further strengthen the stability of the society.
"Politicians wanted to send a clear message to the Arab and Muslim community that they are not discriminated against."

The Muslim leader insists that his community enjoys all rights just like other sections of society.
"The law treats all religious organizations from all sects and religions equally," he said.
"Religious organizations envoy the same privileges of the church."

The Muslim community in Norway is estimated at 150,000 out of the country's 4.5 million population.

The majority of Muslims are of Pakistan, Somali, Iraqi and Moroccan backgrounds.
There are nearly 90 Muslim organizations and Islamic centers across Norway.

Source: IslamOnline