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.”
Taluk Panchayat member Fauziya and her husband were not present in the house when the attack took place at around 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Comments
Kill them whenever they enter your home, there is no punishment for self defense... Judiciary is permit you to kill any person or group if they enter your home forcefully...next time don't give them a chance to escape alive...
BJP has lost its civic sense,how can they rule the country? if they cannot respect senior citizens. Intolerance has reached its peak amongst BJP. Curse of these senior citizens will lead them to their dooms day in sha Allah.They should not forget that human is mortal
BJP is a sore loser
Where is Ibraheem Hussain Udupi
Where is CongRSS ? are Siddanna,Paramesh appa, rammnna ?
COWARDS Since the time of BRITIISH, Either supporting the british against indian independence or attack cowardly 100 X 1 or 3
Animal is animal (do they ask people to worship them or use it to celebration)
Please publish news about BJP MP Statement
Terrorism will not destroy without ending Islam
Let people come to know about elected candidate work progress
Guys election is over, accept the reality and work together for the betterment of poor and downtrodden people. But police do their job and nab those who are responsible for attacking old age persons and destroying their properties....this is really bad...
Really very much condemnable, but how much you reported that , we Hindustanis non believable movement attacking the Woman, totally Criminalizes, Goonda act non bail Black Prison Inside, These BJP,RSS Criminal Goondas so far not attacked women their Plan only make Problem for Looting, the biggest Looters, Thieves are BJP/RSS Goondas and Criminals, looks like now in Karnataka in Siddannas Government they can not do their Criminalize, path were these Criminals ruling.
\\"but one thing Every Dog has its own Day Anna\"
Jia Hindustan."
Acche din
This is a time to ban BJP/RSS terrorist group and kicking them out of the country
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