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
Yedi & Shoba Always to be in Media with no Reason. Why is Media promoting when BJP says Madrasa is giving rise to Terrorist. Media is blowing things out of propotion. What happend with Hemanth Karkere(HK)? Who Killed him? He was telling the news of actual terrorist in India. Hope everyone remembers what HK revealed. I dont support any of the party. But BJP did biggest blunder by doing demonitization. Just to make their money white. People please grow up. See the Petrol price HIKE happening. Why SHELL petrol does not have Subisidy? Why GST is not introduced in Petrol ? There are so many things to think about. These people play with law & order. See yeddy is so confident giving Dhamki to Police. Only god can Save us !!!
The common man of India is struggling for fulfilling his basic needs, he wants peace, he does not need leaders who divide society on caste and religious grounds and create chaos and hatred in the country.
Well said, Most of the BJP leaders are responsible to created violation.
Statistics show that more Indians have been killed by RSS than by Pakistani terrorists.
Who then is worse?
Is she a member of parliment or she a member of RSS, I havent seen any statement from shobha who has talked of development from her mouth. every time her statement is about RSS/sangh parivar, Does she deserve a MP seat? its better she owes her full time to RSS intead of being a MP. Shame on her she represents the whole constituency not only RSS AND SANGH PARIVAR TERRORISTS
what STRATERGY to DISTURB PEACE OF OUR NAMMA NADU KARNATAKA
Fact is a fact, why Amit shah is not in the group,who is the main culprit holding 14 muderes on his head
"BJP gay nachgayne Illa",
if they have little shame left all these leadres would have not come to street with head's down for their super leaders who committed the crimes,
Indirectly it shows that they confirms what Mr Siddaramaih says..!!!
"nanu BJP nanu RSS", not full
"nanu BJP nanu RSS nanu BrahminBaniaJumlaParty", better!!!
Hindus beware of Brahmin Domination in RSS, they dominated exploited non-brahmins for past 5000 years, dont let them control us!!!
All are equal in Democracy, RSS is a Rascist organisation, majority leaders are Brahmins! Dont forget!!!
Congis are ######s, they were responsible for 1984.
Bjp are ######s, they were responsible for 1992, 2002.
Indira made a political decision, bad decision BUt a political one.
Advani, Joshi, Uma bharati gave speeches in Ayodhya which started riots killing of 3000 people.
Both parties have blood on their hands.
Both need to be sacked and someone better needs to be brought in.
@Truth
Excellent question. The current vicious atmosphere is because of them
Who perpetrated 1984 anti-sikh riots? RSS?
Good decision. Please go and sit in jail.
Nanu shoba matthu yediyurappa naau bjp rss bajarang te ... r.. r ... t ect.....
Another comedy by Sho-bokka. Please try a good mimicry
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