Dutch MPs say no to headscarf for police

THE HAGUE: Dutch lawmakers have voiced opposition to a proposal by Amsterdam's top police official to consider allowing female Muslim agents to wear headscarfs, reports AFP quoting Dutch media.
At least six major political parties are against plans from Commissioner Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg to introduce Islamic headscarfs to women's uniforms as part of a recruitment drive to diversify law enforcement in the Dutch capital.
Aalbersberg on Thursday said he wanted to boost multiculturalism among Amsterdam's police force, saying he wanted at least half of all new police recruits in the tourist hotspot to come from a non-Dutch background.
His proposal also included allowing police officers to wear religious symbols such as crosses, Jewish yarmulkes or Islamic headscarfs."Amsterdam's population is changing in terms of its make-up. It has to be debated," he told the daily tabloid Algemeen Dagblad in an interview.

 

Dutch MPs say no to headscarf for police

THE HAGUE: Dutch lawmakers have voiced opposition to a proposal by Amsterdams top police official to consider allowing female Muslim agents to wear headscarfs, reports AFP quoting Dutch media. At least six major political parties are against plans from Commissioner Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg to introduce Islamic headscarfs to womens uniforms as part of a recruitment drive to diversify law enforcement in the Dutch capital. Aalbersberg on Thursday said he wanted to boost multiculturalism among Amsterdams police force, saying he wanted at least half of all new police recruits in the tourist hotspot to come from a non-Dutch background. His proposal also included allowing police officers to wear religious symbols such as crosses, Jewish yarmulkes or Islamic headscarfs.Amsterdams population is changing in terms of its make-up. It has to be debated, he told the daily tabloid Algemeen Dagblad in an interview.