Arfan Rahouf

Uzma Amireddy becomes the first hijabi-wearing cop in North Yorkshire, England. She is a British Muslim who has been in the police for the past ten years. She is currently the ‘Positive Action’ campaign’s coordinator.

Uzma, alongside fellow Muslim cop Arfan Rahouf, designed a comfortable hijab to be a part of their uniform. North Yorkshire Police addressed the movement as an “important change.” They feel that there is a need to represent other communities that they serve in the region.

While speaking to an international media outlet, Amireddy said: “I am a British Muslim, I want to serve the British community, and I love the job that I do as a police officer, but it shouldn’t hinder me in practicing my religion.”

“I didn’t want to leave half of myself at home when I go in to do the job that I love.”

A previous version of the hijab provided by North Yorkshire Police was uncomfortable and potentially unsafe in hostile situations. Also, according to Uzma, it didn’t look contemporary. Uzma then approached her superior, Arfan Rahouf. Both of them together then developed a better design.

Force operational lead for faith and belief, Rahouf said he was proud of the design that has been produced. “We’ve now been invited to have conversations in a national forum regarding hijab and whether it becomes part of the national uniform. It’s fit for purpose, sends the right message, professional, and it makes the person wearing it feel valued,” he said.