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
That is indeed good news. People who have strived for the greater good of the society should be remembered.
I/o spending money n time behind this please improve road system n close all poth hole first. Renaming the road to remember late Blasius D'Souza is a good opinion . Ribbon cut travel expenses is waste of tax payers money.
Improve road water drainage n power system. South Kanara is blessed with well rain. Suggest to arrange water reservoir as much as u can. If u succeed on mention important matter defiantly all Mangalorears n Kannadigas will be with u forever n you can easily win ur next term.
Jai Hind
I/o spending money n time behind this please improve road system n close all poth hole first. Renaming the road to remember late Blasius D'Souza is a good opinion . Ribbon cut travel expenses is waste of tax payers money.
Improve road water drainage n power system. South Kanara is blessed with well rain. Suggest to arrange water reservoir as much as u can. If u succeed on mention important matter defiantly all Mangalorears n Kannadigas will be with u forever n you can easily win ur next term.
Jai Hind
I/o spending money n time behind this please improve road system n close all poth hole first. Renaming the road to remember late Blasius D'Souza is a good opinion . Ribbon cut travel expenses is waste of tax payers money.
Improve road water drainage n power system. South Kanara is blessed with well rain. Suggest to arrange water reservoir as much as u can. If u succeed on mention important matter defiantly all Mangaloreans n Kannadigas will be with u forever n you can easily win ur next term.
Jai Hind
I/o spending money n time behind this please improve road system n close all poth hole first. Renaming the road to remember late Blasius D'Souza is a good opinion . Ribbon cut travel expenses is waste of tax payers money.
Improve road water drainage n power system. South Kanara is blessed with well rain. Suggest to arrange water reservoir as much as u can. If u succeed on mention important matter defiantly all Mangalorears n Kannadigas will be with u forever n you can easily win ur next term.
Jai Hind
Because of this kind of work only congress is defeating everywhere.
can anyone tell me What Blasius d Souza did for the society. He enjoyed his life and purchased plenty of land from our money.
instead of keeping Blasius dsouza name why can not keep some freedom fighter name ...
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