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.”
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The Qur'an, Kannada Translation & Explanation is available @
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Dear Brothers,
These are nothing but so called salafi, Salaf means should follow the quran and sunnah according to the understand of the Sahaba, these are just following their own desires under the banner of salafi name. kindly change your organization name to somethingelse.
Brother Thanzeel what about your pant ?did you cut?it's above the ankle?first you did and scrue aothers,
U.N.Abdul Razak sir (President of SKSM Mangalore) For the sake of Allah Please cut your Pant its beyond your Ankle.
I did my duty obeying is your Wish.
Dear Abu Rimsha,
you can use Translated Quran in Kannada Meaning Version in Android Play Store Type PAVITHRA QURAN
Already there are kannada quran by other org like Shanthi prakashana, AS Puthige etc, if we are able to done coordinated work we can avoid duplication & use energy, time, money for different works.
Dear Abu Thabish IFF is working for community not like other group fighting each other .there are many group in salafi calling them kafir first stop saying other kafir. Allaha will see heart first . Salafi Built Many Mosque Near the other Mosque .there is no need built the Mosque still they Built the Mosque near other mosque in Many place .divided the Muslim .
No identity of islam except big beared.
Hope, they are muslim
YES BRO #5 AM MANGALORE,,,, PLEASE CONTACT MASJID IBRAHIM KHALEEL, NEAR STATE BANK MANGALORE.
Can anyone tell me, can i GET FREE COPIES of this BOOK?
There are many people without knowledge made enemy of ISLAM
There are many people without knowledge HATE ISLAM
There are many people without knowledge fall trap to enemies of ISLAM
What is ISLAM?
IS ISLAM encouraging Terrorism?
IS ISLAM enemy of other RELIGION?
Does MUSLIMS hate HINDUS?
An intelligent person will try to KNOW the reality and will not accept whatever is said in the MEDIA... It is easy for ENEMIES to SPREAD LIES & FOOL, when the PUBLIC accept whatever said to them... & not VERIFYING.
We MUSLIMS believe that QURAN is word of OUR CREATOR ALLAH, and his MESSAGE to all of his CREATION including NON MUSLIMS ... IT is YOUR choice to READ it, PONDER it, if not satisfied MAKE a research of it... If YOU still dont believe what is said in QURAN ... it upto U .. there is NO FORCE on YOU by the RELIGION of TRUTH, the only religion accepted by the CREATOR of all that exists.
THINK & PONDER.... Dont stay IDLE ...
Well said Mr. Abu Thabish, KSA.
Dear Karnataka Salafi Movement Concern,
Plz advise the Salafies translated Quran with Kannada meaning version in android Play store. Presently I am using Divya Quran by Shanti Prakashana.
Salaam
Masha Alaah...
Dear IFF, KCF Brothers
This is what we call Deeni Program. Helping the Society to achieve the Goal for Life after Death.
See the Beard See the Pant (Above the Ankle) This is the Actual Uniform of Islam.
Do not waste your Precious time..Learn Islaam before its too LATE.
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