Newark police officers who are Muslim will now be allowed to wear hijabs as part of their uniform.

The garments are blue and can be easily removed with Velcro or magnets.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka says that he hopes that the change will encourage more Muslim women to become police officers.

“It sends a message that everyone is welcome to be part of our department, part of our city, despite their religious beliefs and what they believe. And I think that is the right things to do,” he says.

Baraka also says that the timing of the change is important since it is going into effect during the Islamic holiday of Ramadan.