Following the announcement of a new dress code for female police officers in Nigeria by the Inspector General of Police last week, the National body of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN has hailed the new policy describing it as one that is fair to female officers irrespective of ethnic or religious backgrounds.
The new dress code permits female police officers to wear stud earrings and hijab under their berets or peak caps while in uniform.
A statement issued in Abuja by its National Amirah, Hajia Rafi’ah Idowu Sanni, FOMWAN commended the Nigerian Police Force for introducing the policy at this period when some individuals, corporate organizations and institutions of learning in the country are sentimentally averse to the use of hijabs by female Muslims.
“This is a unique development in the history of the Nigerian Police Force, kudos to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba for the approval. With this development, the Nigerian Force has become the first Security Agency in the country to introduce the policy which granted permission to willing female muslim police officers to wear hijabs with their uniforms.
“We are happy that the IGP was quoted as saying that the dress code was in line with international best practices and it is also to address the growing concern for gender mainstreaming and respect for culture and diversity,” Hajia Rafi’ah Idowu Sanni added.
The FOMWAN Amirah appealed to Police authorities in all zones across the country to allow for the implementation of the new policy without any form of harassment, discrimination or victimization of the willing female officers.
She called on other security agencies across the country to follow the footsteps of the Nigerian Police by approving the same dress code for their female officers adding that such a policy will no doubt enhance commitment to duty while equally encouraging more female Muslims to consider a career in the security services.
“I can say without any fear of contradictions that hijabs had long been approved as part of the uniforms of the Police, Army and Naval officers in many developed climes hence we should not see this as another form of extremism or what some religious bigots in Nigeria will term as Islamization agenda. Female Muslims are never comfortable not wearing their hijabs as commanded in the Quran. This new dress code will enable Muslim sisters to fulfill one of the most important commandments of Allah which is to cover their heads. This will enable them to contribute their quota to nation building,” FOMWAN National Amirah stressed.
She however enjoined all Muslim female police officers willing to adorn the hijab as approved by the force to distinguish themselves by upholding Islamic moral teachings and principles always so as to be the best examples for others.
“FOMWAN is appealing to our Muslimah in the Police Force to be of the best moral standards as exemplified by holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Hijab is our pride and our identity. It represents modesty, decency and spirituality. It attracts respect hence anyone wearing it must be of good conduct and character all the time. We congratulate the NPF for being the trailblazer in this regard.”
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