Police constable Zeena Ali is set to become the first officer to wear the hijab officially during duty in New Zealand as the police introduce the hijab into their official uniform to encourage more Muslim women to join the force.
30-year-old Zeena was inspired to join the force after the Christ Church terror attack last year, in which 51 people were killed at two mosques in New Zealand. She will not only graduate as a police officer this week but will become the first Muslim officer in New Zealand to don a police-issued hijab as part of her uniform.
She has also worked with the police to design a garment that is both functional for her new role and considerate of her religion. Zeena says she is proud to represent her community, particularly women.
‘It feels great to be able to go out and show the New Zealand Police uniform hijab because I was able to take part in the design process,’ she said.
She believes that the move will encourage other women to apply to the force as well.
New Zealand Police said work to develop the hijab for its uniform began in late 2018 in response to a request from police staff who visited secondary schools.
New Zealand police added a hijab to its uniform.
Zeena Ali is the first officer to wear it, and helped design it. She says she began training as a constable in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks. pic.twitter.com/gV8J1juMfY
— AJ+ (@ajplus) November 18, 2020