Non-Muslim WPCs Issued with Headscarves in South West England

In most European countries which suffer high rates of Muslim immigration, there will be a debate about whether or not the Muslim headscarf should be incorporated into the uniforms of the emergency services, to enable Muslim women to join should they so wish.

As usual, Britain leads the way in simpering, grovelling abject politically correct dhimmitude; Avon & Somerset Police have created a uniform headscarf which will be issued to all female officers, Muslim or not.

The day when they will be forced to wear it on the beat (not that any of them actually have a beat anymore) is probably twenty years or so away, but for the moment it is there if they should be called upon to enter a mosque.

Sean O'Neill in The Times calls this 'pioneering policing':

Non-Muslim female police officers issued with hijabs to wear during visits to mosques! Do we hear the familiar cry of: "Is this political correctness gone mad?" But take another look. The force pioneering the idea is Avon & Somerset which marked a significant success earlier this month with its policy of active engagement with Bristol's Muslim community.

The conviction of Andrew Ibrahim, jailed for planning to carry out a suicide bombing at a shopping centre, was obtained because of contact between the mosque and the police. The picture above shows him on a reconnaissance visit to Broadmead shopping centre. It was the first terrorist case where mosque elders had alerted detectives to concerns about the behaviour of a suspect - Ibrahim, 20, a former public schoolboy, was arguing in favour of suicide bombing and had burns and scars on his hands from testing homemade HMTD high-explosive.

A mosque elder rang a police officer who took the call while on a canal boat holiday and alerted colleagues. Ibrahim was tracked down within 36 hours and a search of his flat uncovered explosives, detontators and a suicide vest.

All of that makes an assumption, however; that to respect Muslims or permit them their beliefs, you must submit to their rules and customs, always, even f you are not a Muslim yourself.

Policewomen already have a head covering which they can wear in a mosque, or anywhere else; it's called a hat.

To specifically have a uniform headscarf is unnecessary and patronising, and it does not send out a very good message from those who are supposed to be objectively enforcing the law, without fear or favour.

Is O'Neill seriously suggesting that the only way to stop 'moderate' imams from ignoring terror in their mosques is to submit to Islam ourselves?

If so, we are reaching the destination the terrorists wish to take us to - via a different route.

Here is the full story:

Women police officers are being issued with headscarves to wear when they visit a mosque.

They are expected to put the scarfs on shortly before they enter the mosque, in keeping with Islamic custom.

There are two versions - one matches the black of a police officer's uniform, while another goes with the blue uniforms worn by community support officers.

The headscarves are being given out by Avon and Somerset Police, and have the force's emblem sewn on.

They have already been given to seven officers, including Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Roberts, and eight community support officers who work with Muslim groups in the area.

Mrs Roberts said: 'It recognises and respects the cultural and religious practices of our communities. This is a very positive addition to the uniform and one which I'm sure will be a welcome item for many of our officers.'

The force said the scarves, which cost £13, can be used in other religious settings as a mark of respect - for instance to cover the shoulders of a non-uniformed officer in a church.

Islamic custom expects women to cover their head inside a place of worship.

During an official visit last year, the Queen wore a headscarf to tour the crypt and caverns of an historic Islamic shrine in Turkey.

Rashad Azami, Imam and director of the Bath Islamic Society, said: 'It is highly pleasing to see that Avon and Somerset Constabulary is introducing specially designed head coverings for female officers.

'This will go a long way in encouraging a trustful relationship between the police and the Muslim community. The police have been working closely with the Muslim community for the last few years.

'We hope this step will further strengthen the mutual relationship.'

Avon and Somerset Police caused a race row two years ago when it rejected 186 white job applicants at the first stage of selection.

The force received 800 applications for 180 jobs and 'deselected' white males to increase ethnic diversity. Chief Constable Colin Port apologised.

This year, the fire service unveiled full-length skirts, hijab headscarves and long- sleeved shirts for Muslim women recruits to wear in fire stations and for events such as school trips.

Again, the use of the term 'mutual relationship' is erroneous. Law abiding Muslims should have a duty to report crime anyway, without needing bribes such as this.

Their mutual relationship with the law and the state is either as normal, law abiding citizens of this country - or it is not.

If it is the latter, we need to ask ourselves searching questions indeed about the future of this country.