Farzana Rahiman, a Muslim social worker from Parow, says her firearm licence application was rejected because she wore a hijab in her application photograph.

Rahiman applied for the licence in February after experiencing serious threats while working as a social worker. She said she and colleagues had been held hostage at their office in the Northern Suburbs and that, in another incident, a woman armed with a knife threatened them after a child was removed from a parent.

Application rejected after months of waiting

Rahiman submitted her application on 26 February 2026 after completing the required competency process, practical firearm training and obtaining a safe.

She said Parow SAPS assisted her with the application and advised her to get a letter from her Moulana explaining the religious importance of wearing a hijab.

Months later, Rahiman said she was told her application had been rejected. She also noticed a red X marked next to her photograph.

According to Rahiman, she was encouraged to alter her appearance in the photograph, including through Photoshop or by wearing a wig to conceal her hair. She rejected that suggestion, saying it would not represent her true identity.

Rahiman said she already has a driver’s licence and passport featuring photographs of her wearing a hijab without any problems.

Parliament’s police committee steps in

Rahiman took the matter to Parliament and was connected with Nicholas Gotsell, a member of the Portfolio Committee on Police.

Gotsell said there was no reason Muslim women should be required to remove a hijab for a firearm licence photograph if their face remained visible.

He said he would raise the matter through the committee and submit a written parliamentary question asking what guidance and standard operating procedures would be developed to prevent similar cases.

Rahiman has also met with the Parow Police Station commander and said she planned to approach the Public Protector and the South African Human Rights Commission.

At the time of the reports, SAPS had not responded to questions about the case.

For Rahiman, the issue goes beyond one firearm licence. She said she was challenging the decision for her daughters and for other Muslim women who may apply in future.