Raffia Arshad, First Muslim Veil Judge in Britain

Raffia Arshad (40) became the first judge in the UK - even in Western countries - to wear the hijab after last week she was appointed deputy district judge in the Midlands region, England. He recalled, the local court office was promoting diversity.

He then submitted. When the court appointed him to occupy the position they did not know that Raffia was a veiled woman.

Nevertheless, he said that his promotion was good news for diversity in the legal system in Britain - as well as Western countries. He hopes to be an inspiration for Muslim youth.

"This is of course bigger than me. I know this is not just about me. This is important for all women, not only Muslim women, but it is very important for (other) Muslimah women, "Raffia told Metro, as reported by The National, Tuesday (5/26).

Raffia was a lawyer before. He grew up in Yorkshire, northern England. When he was 11 years old, he wanted to work in the field of law. In his family, he was the first person to study up to university level.

For the past 17 years, he has been engaged in civil law dealing with children, forced marriages, female circumcision, and other cases relating to Islamic law.

He admitted, there were many parties who welcomed - through email - to his appointment as judge. There are those who think that veiled women cannot become lawyers, let alone judges.

Indeed, Raffia is usually the subject of discrimination in the courtroom because she wears a hijab. In fact, he is sometimes mistaken for a court worker, interpreter, client, or intern.

One of his family members advised him not to veil at the interview to get a scholarship at the Inns of Court School of Law in 2001. His family warned that wearing a hijab would affect his chances of getting the opportunity. But Raffia still wears a hijab.

"I decided that he would wear the hijab because for me, it was important to accept people as they are," said the mother of three children.

"And if I have to be a different person to pursue a profession, that's not something I want," he continued.

Source: Nu Online