In a development which highlights the diversity in the United Kingdom’s legal system, a 40-year-old Muslim woman has become the first hijab-wearing judge in the country.
Raffia Arshad, a barrister, was appointed a deputy district judge on the Midlands circuit last week after 17-year career in law.
She said her promotion was great news for diversity in the world’s most respected legal system. She hopes to be an inspiration to young Muslims.
Ms Arshad, who grew up in Yorkshire, north England, has wanted to work in law since she was 11.
Ms Arshad said the judicial office was looking to promote diversity, but when they appointed her they did not know that she wore the hijab.
‘It’s definitely bigger than me,” she told Metro newspaper. "I know this is not about me.
"It’s important for all women, not just Muslim women, but it is particularly important for Muslim women."
Ms Arshad, a mother of three, has been practising private law dealing with children, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and other cases involving Islamic law for the past 17 years.
She was the first in her family to go to university and has also written a leading text on Islamic family law.
Although the promotion by the Lord Chief Justice was welcome news for her, Ms Arshad said the happiness from other people sharing the news was “far greater”.
“I’ve had so many emails from people, men and women," she said.
"It’s the ones from women that stand out, saying that they wear a hijab and thought they wouldn’t even be able to become a barrister, let alone a judge."
Ms Arshad is regularly the subject of discrimination in the courtroom because of her choice to wear the hijab.
She is sometimes mistaken for a court worker or a client.
Ms Arshad said that recently she was asked by an usher whether she was a client, an interpreter, and even if she were on work experience.
“I have nothing against the usher who said that but it reflects that as a society, even for somebody who works in the courts, there is still this prejudicial view that professionals at the top end don’t look like me,” she said.
A family member once advised her to not wear a hijab at an interview for a scholarship at the Inns of Court School of Law in 2001, warning that it would affect her chances of landing the role.
“I decided that I was going to wear my headscarf because for me it’s so important to accept the person for who they are," Ms Arshad said.
"And if I had to become a different person to pursue my profession, it’s not something I wanted.”
The joint heads of St Mary’s Family Law Chambers said they were “delighted” to hear the news of her appointment.
“Raffia has led the way for Muslim women to succeed in the law and at the bar, and has worked tirelessly to promote equality and diversity in the profession,” Vickie Hodges and Judy Claxton said.
“It is an appointment richly deserved and entirely on merit, and all at St Mary’s are proud of her and wish her every success.”
Comments
Dear unknown,
you are the only third grade person in the world who bring religion in all matter,
who is hitler ? kill is uncontable
who is bush ? kill is uncountable
who is modi? killer of gujrath genoicide
people with black suite sitting in parliment and who put bomb on innocient civilin are great & patroit people.
people who fight back are criminal and terror.
we are proud of our islamic religion and not like your assh*le religion who worship million god without address
replace your gobar brain to human brain!! life will enlight
Why these brainless people are killing each other for party.. That killers fate also will be same. But it will be by some other goons
Again political rivalry came into limelight
Shameless creature.. they all doing to defame Islam. True follower of Islam wont do such things
Arrest all goons. Police hesitate to arrest most of the goons because they are working for party as their goon
To where these youths heading.. Shocking
Interesting fact is while classifying terrorists and criminals on the basis of their religion, Most of them are Muslims. I dont know why, but still they will address them as peace lovers and their religion is peaceful one
Inna lillah. I could not understand why Muslim youths are following Shaitaan and making their way to Jahannum. Will they be able to return the life of the youth? Why are they blind? why cant live and let leave other peacefully. No political party will come to your help when you need it. Political party will use you for the benefit only. May Allah bless the deceased with magfirah and bless with right way of thinking to the youths who are running away from right path.
Add new comment