Muslim Women Police Asked to Wear Islamic Head Covering
Thursday, 05 March, 2009 | 14:21 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Surabaya: After asking all of his Moslem subordinates to attend communal prayers, read the Koran, and set up a team of Asmaul Husna (invokers of God's name), the Head of the East Java Police, Brig. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam, suggested that all Moslem female police throughout East Java wear the jilbab (Islamic head covering) when working.

They are asked to wear long sleeve uniforms and long pants. “The color of the jilbab can be adjusted with the color of the pants,” said head of public relations division at East Java Regional Police, Commissioner Pudji Astuti, yesterday.

It is expected to make this effective by Monday next week. As an example, all female police working at East Java Police administration office have been wearing the jilbab since yesterday. “The head of the Regional Police hopes they will wear it because of their willingness not because of being forced,” said Pudji.

ROHMAN TAUFIQ