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 couple have been identified as Neha Anjum and Pradeep, both hailing from Chitradurga.
Comments
2 incidents recently took place in Mangalore Muslim Girls married to Hindu boys, both of them came back their Husbands also embraced Islam. all knows that Islam only a true community rest all leads to hell fire and baseless
Infact she loved hell fire by loving a non believer of Allah who created all the universe. It's better for a Muslim man to marry a slave women instead of marrying a non believing women. Same way for a believing women it is better to marry a believing slave man instead of marrying a non believing rich person. May Allah give Hidaya to both.
MastAli , it's better than worshipping a child rapist
she has become blind in love, its okay no big issue, when the whole world is becoming Muslim, these incidents should not stop our spirit of sharing the belief of Islam. See the percentage of growth of Islam its higher than any other religion. Those who enjoying the news that Girl married Hindu remember my words Islam will enter every home, Truth will prevail and falsehood is bound to perish..
..powattt apara...attig pooith.....2 months l wapas bandaaal ....but it will b too late....
i am a muslim... i dont see what is wrong with this...so what?
she was told it is haram by her parents , yet she did... its her decision.
you all should start ignoring such cases and go ahead and get a life .
Proud indian...
Your view is only yours and it wont effect the one who created you & ME...and all that exists...
Before you mention such silly and arrogant things... Just look what ISLAM says about the CREATOR and the LIFE he had given us all, also in YOUR VEDAS.. which says NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI... there is no image of God..
It proves that the so called GODs, YOU guys are worshiping in the form of Stones and others are NOT GOD its a man made stones which is LIFE LESS. and stones cannot help U or it will not reach GOD who created U & ME and all that Exists..
Atleast Use your God give intellect when you are worshiping the STONES, animals or even their shit...
The more U worship the created things, U hearts are becoming LIFELESS just like the STONES... Please look for TRUE GOD and Worship him alone ... which is a light for the HEART.
The Girl who run after many gods will not effect a bit for ISLAM.. the religion of TRUTH. please note that...
All the best!
@ Sister Swetha,
Your are absolutely Correct she left every thing for him. And in return what did she gain...she lost the Beautiful Paradise and Gained the HELL FIRE.
We are not at all worried for her, But we are Worried and will pra
Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi rajivoon..... Pity her Parents....
others called terrorist .....we are real desha premis,
if other do love jihad........we do kattale inda belaku
if other do GOVU hatya........we do yajnya /yaaga
if other do kole.......we do unfortunately
if other do anaitika sambhanda ......if swamis do kanya .....
if other do RAPE........if we do deha samparka....
ayyoyyo list never end....
First up all Congratulations to them and the society of Hassan, Wishing you Both Happy married life, really I must very much thankful to the Coastal Digest, one thing you forget to name this \JIHAD\" Could you please name it \"RSS Love Jihad\" any way again wishing you both Happiest married life, I am very much concern about the crazy people around the Globe, both Male and Female Join each other there is no race between both so we have to have understand that this is the real things to happen. You Criminal minded BJP, Bajji Ranji do not be happy next your time to face ok Gentle men, do not forget great Newton's Law \"Every Action has Equal and opposite Reaction\" Believe it Master Criminal Mind people.
Jai hho Bharath Matha
Jai hoo Siddaramanna."
Hidayath denewala Allah hai. Log kuch nahi karsakthe hain.
Congratulations to the couple. You married on your will. Wish you a happy married life!
She left her everything for you, Please take good care of her.
Have a happy life. All the best
She has taken very unwise decision by neglecting her parents. Since she has no respect to her parents, I am sure she will not respect any one else and she will bring more headache to her lover + his parents. However, I pray Allah to give her right way of thinking and let us come to know about her mistake and repent for it. Any how, we are not bothered about her as it is her will and none is going to force her to come back to her original.
what goes around will comes around. but at the moment let them both enjoy....
May Allah protect us from hell fire......Inna illahi wa inna ilahi rajiwoon. may allah guide us in a straight path.
Guys, take it easy. And dont post rude comments. Mistakes are done by everyone. It is better for her to repent. She may correct the mistake. we never know what is the future. Lets not judge anyone. Judgement is from the lord.
congrats... wish u happy married life :) ... she escaped from oppression and slavery ... even cattle lifter in particular community demand higga mugga dowry ... ... haha ...... education level saha hennu makkalalli jaasthi ide ... they dont want to become 1 out of 4 ... so they opt out for christains and hindus ... not only this case , like this many cases are underway ...
Hindu guys are looking for Muslim girls out there.. but forgot about our own sisters..please god gv sme good thnkng to our brothers.. our sister are getting ruined by caste system but these fellow mates are looking for others instead of searching inside.. I dnt knw wat will happen to our sisters
May Allah save all of brother and sister from the fitnah of Iblish... Yha Allah please we born as muslim and grant us death with iman Ameen
This is the result advanced tech. Parents has to check their all mobile nos which has fake names ie real boys name as girls names (dummy) names and incoming calls blocked by lovers. Only user will unlock during parents absence.
Several Muslim girls have married non-muslim men before also. No big deal!
And in all cases, the marraiges have failed and the girls have returned back to their families. This one also will return in a year or so.
parents are not much educated enough to the effect of Facebook and whatsapp. If you want to provide phone to your children give them simple phone where they can not download illicit apps
After getting bored with worshiping Cow, Monkey God and idols. definitely she will return back to the real God. Insha Allah
Ajmer Case is going to repeat again!
truth will prevail and evil will perish soon. In shaa Allah
Inna Lillahi wa inna illahi Rajivoon. Lack of follow ups by the parents and overconfidence of parents and Lack of God fear and religion of Islam leads to these kind of things.
chaddi dal i hate coz its doing wrong is not gud murthi puja is wrong way so i hate chaddi jihad
Congratulations Girl for the best decision.
This is the sign of qayamat, In Sha ALLAH, all this kind of girls will get big punishment.
happy married life, ishwar bless you both.
I am a proud kafir (Infedel) and will always remain so. Millions of girls worldwide - especially from islamic countries and turning to hindusim - one true religion.
I see alot of non-muslims are cursing Islam as always but let me tell you if you go through survey you will find out that most of Hindu girls have got married with Muslims men but we dont show off like you. ISLAM IS THE RELIGION OF PEACE and if you doubt it come to me i will clear your doubts. If you want to cross check what i have said then you better check my Past you ll find out how many HINDU girls have been my Gfs but ISLAM opened up my eyes and showed me the right path so i left all of them to live in peace and got myself prepared for the life hereafter.
I WARN YOU TO STOP ATTACKING ISLAM. TAKE MY ADVISE START LEARNING ABOUT ISLAM THEN COMPARE WITH YOUR RELIGION I ASSURE YOU LL FIND THE REAL LIFE.
Dudhka Dudh Panika Pani :)
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