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
Nothing to say ! Everything is in the name of Dargha fights route cause is Un-Islamic.
Wrong people of the RIGHT-RELIGION.
Desecrating grave and Ullal Kazi khoora Thangal and SSF electing a rowdy who spending night at bar as Darga president against majority wishes
these two example enough for how low people can go for Darga business
lock down darga to save people from hell fire
really inhuman incident. must be hanged whoever made this crime.
These people trying to take advantage of Minister's patience. May Almighty Allah rest in peace his parents. Aameen
either minister or common people , writings on graves , building permanent structures not allowed in islam, muslims should avoid it... people can not show their anger by destroying such things, or degrading graves... only fools and ignorant muslims only can do such things... those fighting for power, should understand that you are fighting for unlawful money , dargha itself is un islamic thing for muslims... Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) ordered to destroy such dargahs, muslims also follow that way only...
what UT Khader did now, this people fighting for dargah's president ship. and damaging ut khader's parents graves is different issue.
as Monu Borkala said,
the above incident clearly says Dargah business is very profitable and it does not have any islamic background, and i must say that for money this type of people will kill anybody and do above incident further,
inhuman can do this crime. totally i must say its wrong. for all of us parents means its like a god to us, for the memory we build their grave, it feels like they are with us, damaging grave is like playing with emotions.
Whoever did this job is highly condemnable at the same time being a well wisher of U.T.Khader we are expecting our Minister to act fairly in the trouble unfolding in Ullal dargah. He is taking wrong side by siding with SSF people against the wishes of people of Ullal. It was clear by recent election to Dargah Committee majority of 27 out of 49 members elected a president instead of supporting people verdict sending government official of waqf at mid night to lock the Dargah chamber is highly condemnable.
UT Khader's big Fan, this must be a work of SDPI, if dog bark on the street let them bark, we should not think about it.
khader sir we are with you, whatever damage they have done to you the same in other way they will go through it.
Dont worry khader bhai, not a big deal to build a newer one. let this dogs go to the hell.
sad news, whatever the issue is touching someone's grave is totally wrong. i can proudly shout \humanity lost\"."
the above incident clearly says Dargah business is very profitable and it does not have any islamic background
catch those mad dogs and grave them in road.
UT khader's father was a great man he sacrificed so much to the society. this is clearly a horrible violence.
this is totally wrong, the politician or common man. should not touch the grave of the parents, some mad dogs did this
Devotees? These are humans with the worst order. And they want to take iver management of a dargah... obviously for corrupt purpose. #Shame
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