UK Appoints First Hijab-Wearing Judge
The Claim
Raffia Arshad is the first hijab-wearing court judge to be appointed in the UK.
News posted on
Emerging story
On May 26, 2020, Twitter users across social media tweeted posts about the judge. Emma Brazell wrote, “Raffia Arshad was told to not wear her hijab to a scholarship interview in 2001. She refused to change to pursue her dream and became the UK’s first hijab-wearing judge last week."
Misbar’s Analysis
Raffia Arshad, who was raised in West Yorkshire, has practiced family law and in particular Islamic family law for nearly twenty years with St. Mary’s Chambers in Nottingham. She recently received her letter of appointment as Deputy District Judge for the Midlands circuit.
Arshad said, “It's taken a while to get here but I'm so pleased. It's not just a personal achievement. It's a huge achievement for anyone from a diverse background." In an interview with BBC she further added, “Don’t worry about what you look like, don’t worry about not fitting into the mould, break that mould and achieve what you need to.” And in an interview with Metro UK, she said, “It’s definitely bigger than me. 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… It’s the ones from women that stand out, saying that they wear a hijab and they thought they wouldn’t even be able to become a barrister, let alone a judge.”
Arshad is the first judge to wear a hijab in the UK. Her relative advised her that wearing her hijab might lead to less career opportunities, but Arshad decided to keep wearing it since “it’s so important to accept the person for who they are.”
The heads of St. Mary’s Chambers noted that Judge Arshad “led the way for Muslim women to succeed in the law.” However, Arshad still faces discrimination and has been mistaken for an interpreter by court officials.
