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Racism, Bigotry, and the Association of Muslim Police
By Hwaa Irfan
29/05/2001
The Association of Muslim Police in Britain pray that the move by the Metropolitan Police to introduce
hijab as an option for Muslim women officers will attract more recruits (John, p.1). It is part of an initiative called
Protect and Respect: Everybody Benefits.
Four styles of hijab that complement the Met's colors have been approved for women in uniform. Association Chairman Inspector Richard Varley said a proposal for the headscarf was put forth to Met Commissioner Sir John Stevens in February. "We've had certainly dozens of inquiries by potential Muslim female recruits but these inquiries dry-up as soon as they realize they can't wear a hijab...(it) sends a wider message that Muslim values are valued within the Met whether or not the officers choose to take up the offer of a
hijab," said Varley (John, p. 2). One hopes that the necessary support mechanism will follow, as there are possibilities of negative reactions from some of the non - Muslim male officers who may feel 'challenged' in some way. Non - Muslim female officers joining the Met have usually been subjected to psychological games and there is good reason to assume that veiled Muslim officers will have to contend with the same torment.
Bigotry within the British police force is still a major concern for some. Last month, 39-year-old Iranian born police officer, Ali Dizaei, announced that he would take the Met to tribunal. Dizaei was set to become a chief constable but was suspended in January after being accused of dishonesty, attempts to pervert the course of justice and personal misconduct. However, Dizaei has yet to be officially charged (BBC, pg. 1,2). Although a national selection board, including former Met Commissioner Sir Condon, had recommended him for the promotion, he was turned down for an interview. Dizaei bases his strong allegations on discrimination and victimization issues aimed at him because of his race and his work for the National Black National Police Association (NBPA), where he was the Vice-Chairman and legal adviser. Chairman of NBPA Ravi Chand said, "There is overwhelming evidence of the unfair treatment of Superintendent Dizaei...taking the Metropolitan police to tribunal is the only way he can seek justice from
a service riddled with senior officers who have become 'the untouchables' when it comes to accountability."
Institutionalized bigotry can only be eliminated with support on the ground. "Protecting and Respecting"
requires an extended arm beyond that of formal legislation. If the intent is genuine and not merely lip service, then the toleration of
hijab must be followed by the inclusion of prayer rooms and crèches for the larger police stations. The Association of Muslim Police has an opportunity to be actively involved in the educational and cultural sensitization processes that must ensue. The Protect and Respect initiative was devised after heavy criticism surfaced in a report examining the police forces' handling of the murder of the Afro-Caribbean teenager, Stephen Lawrence. Thanks to Lawrence's parents, anti-discriminatory legislation was created - reshaping the current discourse on race (Younge p.11 and John, p.2).
One out of every four people in the world is a Muslim. They have increased by over 235% in the last 50 years. Of that growth, 142.35% Muslims are in/from Europe, with Islam holding rank as the second largest religious group in France, Britain and the U.S. (MSA, p.1). Britain alone is home to 1.5 million Muslims of varying nationalities and classes.
A December deadline has been set for all British police forces to conduct a full race relations/cultural audit to use as a measure for future planning. The 25-point plan includes a review of all recruitment procedures, targets, retention and promotion of ethnic minority officers. Police forces have been told that they have ten years to make the number of ethnic officers relative to that of the local population.
Home Secretary Jack Straw announced far - reaching reforms for the police force in February
(The Economist, p.39). On the surface, these reforms allow all concerned civilians to participate in reshaping British society. Studies show that people in England and Wales, more than any other developed country, tend to be at a greater risk of being assaulted, robbed, sexually attacked or having their homes burgled.
Coupled with the Met's new tolerance for hijab, the ensuing general elections bear witness to the growing clout of British Muslims with mainstream parties' wooing them for votes. Prime Minister Tony Blair attended the Muslim News Awards for Excellence and Opposition Leader William Hague attended the Muslim Council of Britain's reception.
There are also several Muslims running for or defending seats. Mohammad Sarwar became the 1st Muslim Member of Parliament for the Labor Party in Glasgow back in 1997; Khaled Mahmood was recently selected to replace Social Security Minister Jeff Rooker in Birmingham and has a good chance of holding on to his seat; and Mohammad Riaz is also in the running.
Add it together and what does this all mean… if anything? Is the veil a symbol of better days to come? But, after the elections take place and everything settles down, what will maintain momentum of these recent events? Our patience, understanding and efforts know no end, but nothing changes overnight and bigotry dies hard.
Reporter Yasmin Alibhai-Brown bitterly remembers her BBC interview with former Minister, Lord Norman Tebbitt, a once powerful ally of the Conservatives, where he said, "We were debating the controversial predictions that in both the US and Britain non - whites would make up the majority within the next century because white birthrates were too low and those of colored folk just too damned high..." He then brazenly added that social problems had been brought to his country by 'multicultural societies'. The broadcast attracted racist letters and death threats, but it also brought in hundreds of letters of support for a multiracial Britain (Alibhai-Brown p.67).
Maybe now hijab will become the symbol of honor, responsibility and human rights for all…a symbol that stimulates the subconscious of those non - Muslims who wish for a better world than the one they currently have.
Sources:
Alibhai-Brown, Yasmin "The Color of Great Britain." US Newsweek. 136:12 (2000) 67.
"Drive To Boost Black Police Numbers" 2. BBCNEWS. UK; 28.02/22.
Hopkins, Nick. "Modest Start: Met To Allow Hijab." The Guardian Weekly. UK; 164:20 (2001).
"Jack Straw takes on the Law." The Economist. UK; 358:8210 (2001) 39-40.
John, Cindi. "Police Hope for Muslim Headstart." BBCNEWS. UK; 4/24/01.
Muslim News. "Main Parties Field Record 25 Muslim Candidates." Muslin News UK; 5/19/01.
Muslim Students Association. "Islam Is the Fastest Growing Religion and the
Second Largest Religion in the World." CIA World Facts Books. Muslim Students Association; 5/19/01.
"Officer Takes 'Racist Met" To Tribunal." BBCNEWS. UK; 4/18/01,1,2. 5/22/01.
Younge,Gary "What Was all that about?" The Guardian Weekly. UK; 164:20 (2001).
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