Shabana blazes a trail for Muslim women

"I love the job because it is so different and interesting" Photo: West Yorkshire FRS

Shabana, 26, from Bradford, was used as a case study for the Commission’s report, ‘Moving on up? Ethnic minority women and work,’ published in March.

The report, put together following a survey of employers, highlighted the work opportunities for Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Black Caribbean women, their skills, ambitions and the barriers they face.

Shabana visited the Palace of Westminster for the launch of the report, where she discussed her positive experiences of work at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which embraces diversity to the extent that a shalwar kameez headscarf was introduced as part of her uniform.

Stephen Hesford MP and female Muslim comic Shazia Mirza also attended the event.

Shabana, who is based at Bradford Fire Station, was the first Asian woman to work in community fire safety outreach for the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Her job now entails doing free home fire safety checks and carrying out fire safety talks to community groups. She is also working on a religious awareness course for the fire and rescue service.

She said: “I first joined to work on a regeneration project in the Leeds Road and Barkerend area of Bradford, where the majority of families are Asian. They felt more at ease talking to a female Asian officer and it helped us engage more with the community.”

“I was made to feel very welcome when I joined the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2004. I love the job because it is so different and interesting.”

Maria Tonks, equalities and diversity manager for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Equality and diversity are key priorities for us.

“We are committed to employing a workforce which reflects the diverse community we serve and acknowledge that this will be accompanied by a wide variety of different cultures, religions and beliefs.”

“We worked with Shabana in designing her uniform to meet her religious needs, while still maintaining our corporate image.”