A BRADFORD company has successfully created a hijab fit for police use after being given the task nearly 18 months ago.

Nazia Nazir, who is 39 and lives in the Toller area of Bradford, created her online company PardaParadise five years ago. 

Then, North Yorkshire Police got in touch with Nazia asking her to create a hijab for the police.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Nazia Nazir created the police Hijab which is being used across the UK. Image: Newsquest Nazia Nazir created the police Hijab which is being used across the UK. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)The hijab is a religious head covering Muslim women wear and the specially-designed garment comes as more hijab-wearing women enter the police. 

Nazia started out doing hijab tutorials, showing women how she styled her hijab.

Her community was keen to wear the same hijabs as Nazia and pushed her to create her e-commerce company.

Nazia said: “We’re really humbled that we were asked to create the hijab for the police.

“I myself wear the hijab and I’m glad to have been trusted by the community to create this hijab and I feel as though I’ve provided a much-needed service.

“It’s taken around 18 months since we did the first design, we’ve had to take a lot of things into consideration and now it’s passed.”

The hijab had to pass a number of tests as it could be regarded as a choking hazard, while the pins used to keep it in place could be dangerous if anything was to happen.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Nazia Nazir created the hijab for the Police force. Image: Newsquest Nazia Nazir created the hijab for the Police force. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Nazia’s police hijab has been made so there are no pins. Instead, buttons keep it secure and stop it from slipping. It’s also adjustable so it can fit different head sizes.

She added: "This hijab is made in the UK, which is why we were chosen because the police needed that and because we have experience with making hijabs and working in the UK.

“There have been a lot of changes throughout the process, to make sure it fits in with health and safety as well as keeping the woman who wants to wear it safe.

“Also having this police hijab will hopefully get more women involved in the police force.”

The police hijab has been rolled out across the UK and other companies have shown an interest in getting specially-made hijabs for their employees. 

“We’ve had a lot of big companies and organisations get in touch about making hijabs for them, which is really good and we’re humbled to have been given this opportunity," said Nazia. 

Inspector Arfan Rahouf, who was involved in the hijab development, said: “I’m immensely proud of the hijab design and I would like to thank Nazia and her team for their support in providing the right hijab for Muslim female officers.

"It's really important to make sure that the uniform for each and every police officer is fit for purpose, and I’m really pleased to say this design has now been made available to officers across North Yorkshire Police, as well as other agencies nationally.

“As a police force we are committed to being more representative of the communities we serve, and creating a more inclusive workforce. Through a greater understanding of our shared values, we can deliver a better service to all our communities.”