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
Well Done Dr. Zakir Naik. We had enough of this media misrepresenting the facts to please the people who are in power & spread the hate in common man, and help the fulfillment of the Hidden agenda of the corrupt politicians. Thanks for taking this great step. A peace loving man of any religion will support you...... Insha Allah Victory will be yours.
Please watch his team member junaid khan recent interview about his income and behavior with others
Even his conversion is well planned drama
This bussiness is much better than dargah bussiness
It is good that the media houses are being sued for defamation. Media should stop slandering and making false stories against people. Only when an FIR / case is registered, should they break the story.
This has been going on for such a long time and a stop has to be put. Arnab Goswami and his type have taken a beating out of this case. Even the government has lost a lot of credibility because of this case.
As per naik media aired his videos which are out of context to mislead the people!!!!!!
If so my question is then why zakir naik blind followers are urging other people to watch his videos in youtube if dey are out off context?...as per his followers if some1 converts to islam after watching his videos then its good for socity if he becomes terrorist den its out of context...hahaha
Shame on RSS agent Arnab Go cow swami,
you will not come up'' time will come your realy face will come out and public will spit your face,for money and power not lift up god know the reality and he is the planer.
Well done.. WE ARE WIth U Dr. Zakir Naik...
People are Fooled since decades with manipulating the facts and presenting to the public...
Presenting news with suits and ties and make up doesnt make anybody Good and Trust worthy... We should look at who is behind it... there are many corporations who play with the minds of people... who lobby all this evil propagands even the cheddis have fallen to this category.
We should teach this decievers a lesson...
But ALLAH has power over all things... Those who know ALLAH, will never be in FEAR of any situation.. May ALLAH make us one of them.. it is the greatest blessing from the CREATOR of all the Exists.
Insha Allah, you will suceed Zakir Saab, These dogs like Arnab gooo sami, Naren should be taught a lesson for ever...... WELL DONE. WE WISH GOOD LUCK....
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