The UK is taking a unique path towards dealing with the Muslim minority in general and the veiled woman in particular, which makes any comparison between the situation of Muslim women in Britain and that of other countries such as France, for example, that leads to Britain being seen as an advanced model in dealing with the issue of the veil.
The veiled woman in Britain has made important steps in reaching high positions and positions, the most recent of which was the success of British Muslim citizen Rafia Arshad in assuming the position of judge as the first veiled woman to reach this position. For the position of city mayor, work in the police and security services.
Perhaps Britain is one of the very few western countries that accept veiled women in its ranks, and it makes the door of government jobs relatively open to veiled women, and establishes the British model in dealing with minorities, including the Muslim minority.
Although British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was involved in offending veiled women, and what is being raised about men as one of the populist faces in the world, the UK maintains a clear line separating it from excluding Muslim women from public space.
Inspirational model
The news of the appointment of Judge Rafia Arshad had a positive impact on the Muslim minority in Britain, and it attracted great media attention. This lady has made a historic achievement, perhaps opening the door to other women, to reach the position of a judge while they wear the hijab, given the position of appreciation and reverence in British society, and reveals The judge had previously asked her to remove her headscarf if she wanted to advance in her profession.
Nevertheless, this Muslim lady insisted on continuing her path with the veil, convinced that success would be her ally with him, and also because, as she states herself, she knew that she was carrying a case and that if she succeeded in reaching the position of judge, she would inspire Muslim women veiled in Britain and abroad.
Rafia Arshad, a judge in the Family Affairs Court, is aware of the symbolism of her achievement, and for this she takes it out of the framework of personal glory, places it in the context of inspiring Muslim women, and gives them hope that they can succeed in their careers regardless of whether or not they wear the veil.
Immediately after her appointment, the Muslim judge, who has 17 years of legal experience, addressed her to women belonging to the Muslim community and to women in general that they do not care about appearances and do not care about the notes and outlook of women who are veiled and even unveiled, "Just break all the stereotypes and stereotypes and achieve your pregnancy and your goal."
Veiled mayor
Rakia Ismail is the first veiled woman of Somali origin to reach the post of mayor of Islington District, north of the capital, London, after seven years working in the city council, before she accumulated experience and popularity that enabled her to assume the position of mayor and assigned all honorary duties in her city.
Like Judge Arshad, Mayor Raquia Ismail emphasizes the importance of reaching such positions in order to inspire the Muslim minority, especially Muslim women, and does not see in her position personal honor as much as a bridge to link Muslim and veiled women to society.
In view of her experience in volunteer work, for 20 years, the mayor has adopted since her arrival two years ago, a strict policy in helping the needy, especially that the immigrant minorities, especially those with brown skin, live in difficult living conditions in Britain, as it was one of the strongest defenders of immigrants and refugees , And describes itself as "the voice of the voiceless".
Sophisticated, she remembers with great emotion how she attended attending citizenship parties and was imitated by new British citizens. After her parents arrived in Britain as refugees, today she becomes mayor and supervises the ceremony to obtain a British passport.
The British mayor considers that it is important for a woman like her to assume a leadership position, given her affiliation with the Muslim minority and also because of her dark-skinned people, that makes her contribute to decision-making "instead of making decisions and legislating laws by people who know nothing about our lives," she said.
The veil and the police
Perhaps some may be surprised when he knows that the British police in some areas, including the "West Midlands", had previously discussed the possibility of allowing the veil to be worn among its ranks, but the demand was soon abandoned in 2017, and this is an example of the advanced debate in Britain compared to other European countries.
As for the veil, the British police made a decision to adopt the veil, as an attire allowed in its ranks, and some police stations have even adopted uniforms that are in line with Islamic beliefs and what makes the veiled policewoman comfortable while performing their work, and the Scottish government has recognized the veil as part of the costumes Official police.
Integration into British society
Raghad Al-Takriti, head of the Islamic Association in Britain, believes that the position of Muslim women in general is good compared to other countries, especially in France, adding that the challenges are still many to reach the top positions, providing the example in the absence of a veiled parliamentarian, despite the presence of Muslim female representatives.
Raghad called for seeking to preserve and defend the gains achieved by Muslim women, and not to be complacent by saying that the position of veiled women in Britain is much better than her counterparts in other European countries.
And explained the ability of the children of the Muslim minority, especially women, to penetrate some of the important functions of the nature of the Muslim minority in Britain, "which succeeded in integrating into British society since the sixties of the last century, and did not live in isolation but rather interacted with society and became part of it."