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.”
The NIA had named Zakir Naik, IRF, and others in an FIR registered under anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on Friday.
Comments
It only shows that PROPHET MUHAMMED pbuh, the final messenger to the whole of MANKIND Spoke the TRUTH...
He said : In the end time LIES will be accepted as truth and TRUTH will be accepted as LIES. People are IGNORANT of the CREATOR that's why the EVILs find easy to trap the people With LIES and DECEPTION. ... Most of the people who doesnt use their intellect are falling to the LIES of the arrogant leaders.. and believing it as TRUTH... infact if we research what ZN says is all TRUTH and FACT from not only from Muslim scripture but also other religious scriptures.
But its a temporary enjoyment... for the falsehood... if not repented to God ... They will surely see that ALLAH's plan was the best. Muslims should be patience on their arrogance and fight lawfully.
But they plan, and Allah too plans. And Allah is the best of planners.
Who is the creator of this Univers and
the creator of you & me.
When people are busy in exchanging their old currencies, the Govt. is banning Dr.Zakir Naik's NGO and slowly taking over his Schools.
BJP needs place to hide their black money. So they are byforce taking over zakir's house to hide their money.
BJP needs place to hide their black money. So they are by force taking over zakir's house to hide their money.
shame on NIA who is acting on centre for their shameless ideology ...to curb a peace lover and a peace preacher ..... does it mean that every Muslim become TERRORIST instead of Peace lover like Dr.Zakir Naik ?
i think its time to become that soon . as INDIA will see bloodiest Civil War as RSS wishes to hold onto its 2025 Brahmin Rashtra agenda to come true (which is dream only) . but if ARMY is sasffronised only
Movement like Popular front, SPDI , komu souharda vedike .DYFI,SFI,CFI, Dalit Panthers, Naxal . pragathipara vedike will always there to defend the Nation from such foolish rulers ....
Jai Hind
Asaram Bapu and Zakir Naik both are same
Do you know how????
Their followers are telling that they are innocent and blaming government ...Ha ha ha
Dr. Zakir Naik is a student of Comparative religions. He preaches oneness of God, peace and harmony quoting verses from Quran, Bible and Vedas. Anti Islamic elements cannot equate him logically, and they cannot tolerate his popularity.
Targeting innocent Muslims or peaceful Muslim organizations is not at all a good step. Fascists with their biased policies will only harm the peace in the nation.
India being a plural society, Ruling parties or any other parties why dont you support the UNITY IN DIVERSITY towards the benefit of our beloved nation.
Good move by government...
I think this may be the one of reason for Demonetization of 500 and 1000 rupees, Saffron Government attacking A muslim daayi and his organization under the darkness of 500 and 1000 currency, Actually Muslim does not benefit much from Dr. Zakir as he is not a fiqh scholar, our non muslim brothers missed the opportunity to understand the truth through him, But nothing to worry, If Allah wish to guide one, No one can misguide him,
you can ban legend and great leader like DR.ZAKIR NAIK but you cannot stop or prevent spreading ISLAM all over the world. if you hold one DR.ZAKIR NAIK thousands of other DR. ZAKIR NAIK will come up with more powerful SPEECHES and awareness.
so stop doing unwanted activities and actions..
Dr Zakir should have come to India, since he is away from India authority has more chances of squeezing his organisations. if he is guilty court will punish him. it should not be the situation where he gave stick and ate beatings. Only Allah knows the truth and Allah will guide the best..
I DONT think he can do unwanted activities,
any way
Truth will prevail and evil will perish soon
Political Power is the Master key to open the doors of Justice. hope the Indian Muslim Community Stand together under one political Platform . then only can defeat the Fascist ideology. in india muslim's issue is not just the religious one, its full of Politics which Muslims never realized. let the community stand on their own. now the question is where are those champions of Secularism ..???
This is the lab test of communal anti India rss group. Now by false case they will start to ban other Islamic organization. They are planners are full training under Jews group.
Whole IndIan citizens aware of their intention devide and rule for the sake of so called upper case.
But God will by the supper of peace loving Indins it will not happen.
Now the young cm padnavi of rss more active with anti India policy.Hope hard woring Mumbaikar will stand with peacefull life.
Jai Hind!h3
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