First Hijab- Wearing Judge Tells How She Made It
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JUNE 1ST EDITION 2020 Yorkshire & Lancashire First hijab- wearing judge tells how she made it A Muslim woman has made dramatically decrease if she wore has been British history by becoming the it, her relative warned. But Raffia appointed a first hijab-wearing judge in the refused to bow to pressure. Deputy District country. She said: “I decided that I was Judge on the Raffia Arshad, 40, is a going to wear my headscarf Midlands circuit. powerhouse with a 17-year career because for me it’s so important The latest behind her, she says she still to be accepted for who I am. figures from judges encounters discrimination and Having to become a different who declared their prejudice ‘sometimes on a daily person to pursue my profession, information to the basis’. But she wants young it’s not something I wanted. Judicial Office show Muslims to know they can “So I did, and I succeeded in that, of 3,210 in courts achieve anything they put their the interview. I was given a across England and Wales, minds to. considerable scholarship. only 205 (6%) are from a The Midlands-based judge, “I think that was probably one BAME background. Only 1,013 who grew up in West Yorkshire, of the most profound first steps (31%) are women, as of April experienced one of the most in my career. It was a solid ‘yes, 1, 2019. profound moments of her life you can do this’.” The mum-of-three says she when she was advised by her own After training in London, now wants ‘to make sure the family member to not wear her Raffia received pupilage in sound of diversity is heard loud hijab to an interview for a Nottingham, joining St Mary’s and clear’. scholarship at the Inns of Court Family Law Chambers in 2004. School of Law in 2001. Nearly 30 years later, she is not Continued on page 10 Her chances of success would only a successful barrister, but Sustained! 2 Local www.asianexpress.co.uk June 2020 - 1st Edition Library Picture: Bradford Mela CONTACT US: 2009, Peel Park, Bradford Tel : 0113 322 9911 ““RReelliiggiioouuss ccoommmmuunniittiieess 08703 608 606 hhaavvee sshhoowwnn eennoorrmmoouuss Email : [email protected] Stories: [email protected] rreessiilliieennccee aanndd ssaaccrriiffiiccee iinn [email protected] Advertising enquiries: [email protected] cceelleebbrraattiinngg ssiiggnniiffiiccaanntt Text to mobile : 07772 365 325 Follow us on ssppiirriittuuaall mmoommeennttss lliikkee EEaasstteerr,, PPaassssoovveerr,, RRaammaaddaann,, Asian Express is available as a FREE WEEKLY pick-up from selected supermarkets, retail outlets, community centres, EEiidd aanndd VVaaiissaakkhhii aatt hhoommee boutiques, restaurants and many other distribution outlets across the Yorkshire region. So pick-up your FREE copy dduurriinngg tthheessee of Asian Express TODAY! eexxttrraaoorrddiinnaarryy ttiimmeess.. ©Media Buzz. All contents are Copyright. All Rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be stored in any retrieval system or transmitted electronically in any form without prior written permission of the Publishers. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies howsoever caused. Contributed material does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Publishers. The editorial policy and general layout of this publication are at the discretion of the publisher and no debate will be entered into. No responsibility can be accepted for illustrations, articles or photographs whilst in transmission with the Publishers or their Agent unless a commitment is made in writing prior to receipt of such items. Places of worship to Published by Media Buzz. Media Buzz. First Floor, St Andrews House, St Andrews Street, Leeds, LS3 1LF reopen for individual Places of worship across Communities Secretary I have England will be permitted to worked with faith leaders and reopen for individual prayer representatives to prepare from Monday 15 June, the guidance that ensures this can Communities Secretary be done safely. prayer Robert Jenrick has confirmed. “People of all faiths have This decision follows shown enormous patience and discussions between the forbearance, unable to mark Government and representatives Easter, Passover, Ramadan or of major faiths through the Vaisakhi with friends and family A social media promotional Places of Worship Taskforce in the traditional way. As we poster which attempting to which the Communities control the virus, we are now celebrate the city’s diverse Secretary has chaired. able to move forwards with a communities featuring only white This move recognises the limited, but important return to staff, has outraged community spiritual and mental health houses of worship.” representatives in the city. Rajput It was part of a benefits for people being able to Faith Minister Lord pray in their place of worship, Greenhalgh said: “Religious #TogetherBradfordCan campaign JEWELLERS and that for some people this communities have shown to help the area recover from the cannot be replicated by praying enormous resilience and Coronavirus lockdown. at home. sacrifice in celebrating significant Amid the row, Bradford Council New guidance will be spiritual moments like Easter, have removed the promotional published shortly to ensure the Passover, Ramadan, Eid and poster which features seven white limited re-opening of places of Vaisakhi at home during these council staff, and apologised for worship can be done safely and extraordinary times. their failure to be all-inclusive. in line with social distancing “The Government has Over 37 per cent of Bradford’s guidelines. This will recommend determined that this is the right very multi-cultural population are the thorough cleaning of shared time to begin re-opening places spaces, hand cleansing at entry of worship for individual prayer. from BAME and other ethnic and exit and asking worshippers “It’s our hope that this is the backgrounds. to bring their own items such as first step in places of worship Mounting criticism from faith a prayer mat or religious text reopening fully, when the science and community representatives instead of sharing or using supports it. I look forward to along with key Bradford communal ones. continuing to discuss with the businesses leaders says they can’t Individual prayer will be Taskforce how to address seem to understand how the permitted from 15 June, but ongoing practical safety issues in council could get it all so wrong. communally led prayer, worship the coming weeks.” Bradford hailed as ‘City of or devotion such as services, Places of worship still have Sanctuary’ – welcoming refugees evensong, informal prayer discretion over when they and a UNESCO City of Film for meetings, Mass, Jummah or consider it safe to open and may international recognition of it’s rich Kirtan will not be possible at this decide to remain closed or film heritage, is in the process of stage. reopen at a slower pace if they bidding for UK City of Culture. The Government will continue wish. Someone who wished to remain to work with the Taskforce Under the existing regulations, anonymous said: “Bradford is the towards the full reopening of funerals are allowed in places of fifth largest metropolitan district in places of worship as soon as the worship where it is possible to do Specialists In Asian Jewellery, scientific advice allows. so safely. Other gatherings and England and has the largest Communities Secretary Rt services such as baptisms, proportion of people of Pakistani Wedding & Occasional Jewellery, Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: weddings, supplementary ethnic origin (20.3%) in the entire “Ensuring places of worship can schools, meetings and classes country. Bespoke Designs Made To Order, open again, beginning with are not permitted. Also places of “The #TogetherBradfordCan individual prayer has been my worship may open for ministers campaign poster doesn’t represent Full Jewellery Repair Service, priority. Their contribution to the of religion to film or record a or reflect our diverse Bradford common good of our country is service for broadcast, for the communities at all. Scrap, Unwanted Gold Purchased clear, as places of solace, hosting of essential voluntary “I cannot seem to figure out how comfort, stability and dignity. And activities such as homeless someone could make this mistake. the need for them is all the services, for registered early It’s a huge PR blunder and, to be 212 Roundhay Rd, Leeds, LS8 5AA greater as we weather the years and childcare providers quite frank, simply embarrassing.” uncertainties of the pandemic. and for blood donation sessions. Numerous BAME councillors “I’m pleased this can now Buildings should also remain have voiced their ‘disgust’ and Tel: 0113 249 9722 happen from 15 June. As closed to tourists. ‘disappointment’, stating that they June 2020 - 1st Edition www.asianexpress.co.uk Local 3 EMBARRASSING Bradford council “sorry” for all-white campaign poster were elected by the local communities of Bradford to proudly represent them all, and the all-white poster attempting to represent them all has caused a huge row in the city. Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe and Chief Executive Kersten England said in a joint statement: “We acknowledge that the images did not properly represent the full rich ethnic diversity of communities within our great district and we have instructed that they are not used again. “While we are working with communities and businesses from all corners of Bradford District to raise awareness of the incredible work, innovation and resilience this is so disappointing. The pictures used on social media being shown by people across the “We will use this as an showed seven council mangers holding district, we understand that these opportunity to reflect as an signs saying #TogetherBradfordCan images were misleading and both organisation on how we are (Image: Bradford Council/Twitter) have been removed immediately. ensuring we live out our “We take equality and diversity commitment to equality and incredibly seriously, which is why diversity.” 4 Local www.asianexpress.co.uk June 2020 - 1st Edition SSIIKKHH HHAASSHHTTAAGG BBLLOOCCKKEEDD Facebook and Instagram meet the platforms’ community “As far as Sikhs are claim that the hashtag #SIKH guidelines.