Danish police not allowed to wear headscarves

muslim-girlDespite the fact that Norway recently decided to allow Muslim women working in the national police force the right to wear headscarves while on duty, Denmark has chosen to delay any action on the matter. The Danish National Police is just the latest public organisation being faced with the contentious issue of personal convictions within public institutions.

Chief constable Lene Frank said in a press release: “As the uniform regulations are right now, it is not permitted to wear headscarves in uniform.” The Copenhagen Post says she was quick to add that none of her officers had yet challenged the rule, and that she and the department would be handle any requests on a case by case basis.

The Muslim hijab is a scarf worn over the neck and head that covers everything but the woman’s face. It is required headwear for women in most Arab and Muslim nations, and after a long and heated debate in Danish parliament last year, the government decided its members could wear a hijab, but not the full body burkha, when addressing the assembly.

The Danish courts are now debating whether judges can wear a hijab, just in case the situation arises in the future. Denmark is now the only Scandinavian nation that does not have an official policy concerning its police officers and their right to wear a hijab.

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