GLASGOW – A Muslim mother and her daughter are set to become Scotland’s first hijabi police officers after the force modified its uniform code allowing the Islamic attire.

“I had reservations about the hijab and how that was going to be accepted,” Aleena Rafi, 19, said in a speech at the Tulliallan Police College, The Herald Scotland reported on Monday, January 23.

“They said it wouldn’t be a problem but it wasn’t concrete at the outset, it is now.

“People have stereotypes about people from ethnic minorities wearing a hijab – that they are oppressed or forced to wear it.

“People will see we can do anything – it doesn’t make us any less able.”

Shafqat Rafi, the mother, and her daughter Aleena of Clydebank, were able to join Scotland police forces after Philip Gormley, chief constable of Police Scotland Chief Constable, allowed the hijab to improve diversity within police ranks.

The force has established a “Positive Action Team” as part of their recruitment process in a bid to attract more people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Ever since, the Police Scotland had been very supportive of their application to join, the mother said.

“Sometimes people just see the hijab and not what is underneath,” Rafi, 50, said.

“Our religion teaches us to help each other. Islam means peace.”

Chief Inspector Ann Bell said that relaxing the rules around uniform had helped boost the appeal of the force in those communities.

“Whenever we mention the introduction of the hijab at events in the community there’s a round of applause – it has been really, really well received,” Bell, who runs Positive Action Team, said.

“I can’t say that just because of that we’re suddenly going to have a load of girls saying they are going to join, but it is certainly showing we are open to them doing so.”

Scotland has about 75,000 Muslims. About 40% of them live in Glasgow.

Muslims are the second largest religious group in the country, which has around thirty mosques.