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
Whatever you do, shout, cry, Islam is the fastest growing religion not only in India, also in the whole world.
Only learned and educated people know about Islam.
corrupt brains talk like this so called sadhvi.
Even a 5 year old boys and girls can understand that there is no Beja (intellect) in them... How come the adult elect such kind of Leaders who bring their intellect to compare with the Monkey... Sometimes monkey show how intelligent they are...
She looks like came from BUDWARPET of Pune....anyway she use to give controversial statements for publicity stunt but she can be well known as an prostitute for adithyanath & others but not anything else....
Bondu ijjandina marl ponjo..... now i laugh to this type of idiotic statements this people dont know that islam will be alive till this earth exists........pity on u uncultured people
We need people like (Trump,Sadvi,Thogadia,Batta,) etc...who really advertise ISLAM.
Their Anger,Aggressiveness,Fear about Islam is clearly shown to the World.
After all what can a Creation do in front of their Creator (Almighty Allah)
We can just help you by Praying to Almighty Allah may to shower his blessings on you people .Ameen.
Its difficult because many non-muslims born to muslim fathers. Only their mother can tell their real fathers.
RSS should conduct DNA test, i hope they will find 99% DNA belongs to MUSLIM LEADERS.
1000 SAAL HAIYAASHI KA NATHIJA HAIN
She looks like road side beggar begging for food...who is she?? look at her.. yuck!!
Dear Prachiji,
good idea. 1.But first of stop buying gas, petrol, diesel from these countries. For that you need to research on cow urine to use as alternative or need to start pushpak viman,as always our PM says, Planes are the ideas from Puransas. 2.Stop exporting to these countries. 3. Bring back all the Indians working in these countries. Let us see how it will work. Do you have the plan to do this? 4. call back External PM or boycott him for visiting muslim countries begging for investment.Simply giving the communal statement and enjoying with the wealth of these people is not good for your health. people are realizing their mistake by voting your party.
India should be free from Sadhus and Sadhvis and should be sent to Singapore to share / taste snake and beef dishes with Naren
This is what BJPians foul mouth has to utter when PM is roaming around the word visiting Muslims countries and Christian countries begging them to invest in India. Poor people does not have any Hindu country to visit other than Nepal. They want Petrol from Muslim countries, they want investments from Muslim countries, they want Beef order from Muslim countries. But, they don't want Indians to live in India.
BJP is a party of such radical communals. They are not even aware that if they harm 1, 10 will be harmed by Creator, harm 2000 then 20000 will be harmed by Creator. Creator is the best planner. Do not forget natural disasters where 1000s perished.
Bap ray Bap wa Wa Parchi Deddi you better Tie with Our Gangasara \Narain\"he intends same stupid thinking, mainly you Saffron Criminal goonda Looter leader your mind is very short, Your Dream is very high but If you want leave in this Country your thinking stupidity's you Deedi never and ever get peace always in Hell of life, you Understand First, Vanishing others you might Vanish First remember this world is far away from your thinking, you thought your Cheela go America kneel down to US President, you can dream anything for long/ way distance but do not happy days, You Buffoon's definitely get your own day one or other day Parchi."
This only dream......in future it will be vice versa
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