Hijab-wearing army soldier says she had to educate people

A hijab-wearing army soldier said she had to "educate people" when she first joined the forces.

Corporal Iqra Shahzadi, from Surrey, said: "Just because I wear a hijab doesn't mean I'm not competent."

Ms Shahzadi works as a military nurse at Frimley Park and always aspired to be in the Army, despite not seeing hijab-wearing Muslim women represented.

The NHS trust that runs Frimley Park said it was a "special honour" to have Ms Shahzadi among their colleagues.

Ms Shahzadi told the BBC: "It hasn't been an easy road."

When she told her parents about her aspirations to join the Army, Ms Shahzadi said "they thought it was a phase - she'll get over it".

She remembered flicking through army magazines in a career's office and not seeing anyone like herself in the pages.

Even though she did not see anyone else wearing a hijab, she spoke to the Armed Forces Network Association, who said they would support her to wear it.

After completing her training, Ms Shahzadi became a combat medical technician and went on to become a military nurse but said she still faced struggles.

"I had to educate people. To the naked eye, this may just be a cloth - it may not mean anything.

"To me, it doesn't just cover my hair, it tells me that I am a Muslim," Ms Shahzadi explained.

Ms Shahzadi wears a grey hijab to match the grey beret of her role and said: "The unit that I am part of is very supportive of my faith."

The Frimley Park NHS Trust said: "We are really proud both of our diverse workforce and our partnership with military medical staff from Joint Hospital Group South East."

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