Wednesday, March 5, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR-MN Welcomes New St. Paul Police Hijab Policy

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 3/1/14) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today welcomed a new St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) policy that allows Muslim employees to wear a police-issued hijab (Islamic headscarf). SPPD recently became the first police department in the state to hire a female Muslim Community Liaison Officer.

SEE: St. Paul Police Now Allow Employees to Wear Hijab (AP)
St. Paul Police Academy Aims To Woo East African Recruits

"We congratulate Chief Smith and the St. Paul Police Department for creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for Muslim employees," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya. "This decision will enable more Muslim women to consider serving their community through a career in law enforcement."

Saroya said that Muslim women who wear the hijab sincerely believe it is their religious obligation and asking them to remove it is akin to asking them to remove a shirt or other piece of clothing.

CAIR publishes a booklet that outlines basic information about Islamic beliefs that are relevant to law enforcement agencies.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Lori Saroya, 612-327-6700, E-Mail: lsaroya@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com


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