KARACHI: British-Pakistani Raffia Arshad has become the first hijab-wearing deputy district judge in the United Kingdom, according to media reports.

Raffia Arshad, 40, was appointed deputy district judge on the Midlands circuit last week following a 17-year career in law.

According to a statement released by the Muslim Council of Britain, Ms Arshad was the first in a Western country to be appointed a judge in hijab and amongst a handful of female Muslim judges around the world.

Educated at a Grammar School in West Yor­kshire, the newly-appointed judge was the first from her family to go to university. She has also written a book titled Islamic Family Law.

“This is an achievement not just for women but Muslim women. If ever there was a time to stand up and fulfil your professional aspirations, it is now,” she said.

Ms Arshad is married with three children, the statement said.

“At a time when everyone is facing uncertainty and unprecedented challenges, I urge everyone to rekindle their dreams and pursue them,” she told Geo.tv.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2020