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.”
Mr Kodichal's in a press meet last week had strongly supported Muslim Personal Law and stated that polygamy is far better than prostitution.
Comments
whoever want to oppose muslim talaq system or polygamy matter in please learn about it then come to talk about it.........
@ #13 Naren Kotian Singapore.
Naren please join our Sister Jashodaben Fans Group,We will make you the President of our Fans Club.If possible we will expand our fans club in Singapore also.
Xavier Mamu,
Cool down, Don't be frustrated. Chaddi brothers will never come to your support when you are in trouble. Relax. Dont forget the Church Attack.
Mr Ibrahim is right, Allah's command is final, no one can change
if you do also it will be fail....
ISLAM is peace religion, never said do not feed non muslims and anti social activities... Always says respect them and their priest
Islam says see the neighbor's hunger and feed them.
DO GOOD WORK FOR SOCIETY and MAKE FAIL TO ALL HATE MONGERS.
Who the hell all these muslim hate mongers tom dicky harry to shed crocodile tears when muslim women muslim community have no objection with the issue. I doubt the husbands of those sharing dias have single relationship. They might have one by legal. But God knows howmany have made back door exit entry . We all knew how the aids spread and who are responsible for it. Haati ke daant khaane ke aur dikhane ke aur. This is bitter truth. Let them look into the referendum in their own community instead tarnish the image of islam and muslim community. They have raise the issues like casteism, untouchability , abortion, devadasi system, alcohol, prostituion, dance bars, fast track hearings for murders and rapists.
Alhamdulillah muslims are proud to be muslim. Islam is the way of life evidencing people embaracing it across the world after practicing different religion majority among are women. Subahanallah. This shows how the hate mongers are hatching the conspiracy against the peace religion. Inspite the efforts Islam will stan firm . More they try malign larger will benefit islam. Tareeq gawah hai.
Dear Ms. Bhat,
In Islam polygamy only allowed to those person who has the capacity to look after with justice. Of course, women are not a use & throw item. Do not under estimate polygamy. It can solve lot of social problems. If you think that marry more than one is just for satisfaction purpose, then do you have any answer about Lord Krishna, who has married 16,000 women?
Look at the frustration ..muah...chummah gang completely in disarray ...hahaha...jashoda Ben fans Anthe .. This community took women as property and they were raping women under the strict rules...this is the main reason 60% prostitutes in kamati puram are from -----community. Ree faizhal Bhai elree idira ....burqa togondra. . I mean for protest rally ge.....rikacha nu seriskondu bidi ....swalpa straight and balukuva made irli ...yaake Andre burqa haaki kondirodu gandu antha gottagbaardu ...haha ...chennagi practice maadri ...
uncultured cong leader
Xavier Uncle. (Im sure he is not a Christian).
Jaun Zale. Dont comment just for the sake of Commenting.Rather Shut your Mouth.
Dear Aunties,
First tell Our Honerable Modi ji,To take care of his Own Wife our beloved sister Jashodaben. please tell him to give her the identity.So that she can spend rest of her life peacefully.
Abu Muhammad #6 CALM DOWN...
People are Ignorant of the REALiTY without making their research they come out and make bow bow by BLINDLY following their Evil Stupid thinking Leaders who also trap the IGNORANTS who want to live a life of UnAware of the consequences with the CREATOR...
Ms. Bhat, I advise you to marry first, change your status from single to marital, try to become a mother to someone and enhance your family tree. with regards to your queries or objection whatsoever, I strongly recommend you to read Chapter Talaq in holy Quran just once in your life time, do a qualitative study, then come to the public (I'm sure then you don't need to come) give your statement.
Sulochana Bhat, first look into your house - in your Brahmin community when husband dies, the widow is shaven, locked in the house and called MUNDE BIRANDI. Women in her period is kept out of the house like dirty dogs, you like your sister to be prostitutes than being a second wife enjoying all rights, freedom, respect and legal status. Your Lord Rama's father practiced polygamy, Pandavas practiced it, Your Lord Krishna had 16,108 wives officially wholesale polygamy ever recorded, Look into your various scriptures for further details and who practiced polygamy. Hindu kings had scores of official and un-official wives. For Polygamy and Divorce is the blessing from God Almighty. See the condition of your leader's wife - she has been suffering like hell in this world, neither divorced nor recognised as wife - Treated like worse than animal. This is the honour you and your Jumla party giving to the woman as your scripture says - NA STREE SWATANTRYA MARHATI.
Why public interested in personal or religious matter? Is anyone getting harm with these?
Dear sisters, very rarely you will find polygamy system followers in Islam. If they do it is their personal matter and better than prostitution. If any poor lady or someone getting respectful life what is wrong with it. Also remember, they should treat them equally so there is no questions about cheating or insulting.
The women in Pictures... and also those who want to increase their intellect...
Please watch this below video in YT
\Ahmed Deedats Amazing answers to 2 questions\""
Yes, polygamy is better than prostitution. Those who do not know the meaning of verses from Quran try to learn the meaning in your mother tongue then only you will be convinced what is and why polygamy.
dear hindu sisters the moment you know about the rights islam has given to women you will no longer remain to be non muslim, A true muslim, and most majority of muslim men dont treat women as objects it is the non islam religions which are treating women as sex objects, i think for these above ladies prostitution is justified if their husbands do , what a shame and they forget that prostitution with whom they are doing is a daughter, or wife or mother of someone., is it ok for them if someone do the same with their daughter or wife or mother.
ISLAM IS THE RELIGION WHICH IS THE TRUE AND THE ONLY WAY OF LIFE. AND ACCEPTED BY THE CREATOR, SUSTAINER AND THE CHERISHER OF THE UNIVERSE ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY.
BJP is concerned about woman....why they are not concerned about Modi's wife....she has been longing for joining him....why women's right group helping her....and not talking about it.......scared....hypocrites...
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