Bradford trainee barrister is youngest Muslim JP (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford trainee barrister is youngest Muslim JP

8:21pm Thursday 17th December 2009 in News By James Rush

Faiza Ali

The youngest female Muslim magistrate in the country was sworn in at a ceremony at Bradford Magistrates’ Court.

Faiza Ali, 23, of Bradford, was among three new magistrates and one transferee to take part in the ceremony yesterday.

Miss Ali – along with Helen Langley, 59, of Calderdale, Mohammed Amin Zaman, 36, of Bradford, and Katy Blake, who transferred from Bristol – has now joined the 265 magistrates in Bradford.

The new recruits were due to help fill the gap left by the retirement of three magistrates today with a combined service of more than 60 years.

Miss Ali, a former Laisterdyke High School and Yorkshire Martyrs pupil, said: “It feels great, but I do feel that all the credit goes to my parents for supporting me, for trusting me to be out there in the real world and trust my decisions to allow everything I have wanted to do in my life.

“I have always wanted to do something for the community, it has been my interest since childhood.

“The role itself is amazing – it’s tremendous and it’s good to know and be part of society, not just serving for the money, but serving to benefit other people voluntarily.”

Miss Ali is training to become a barrister at the City Law School in London and has given up her time for numerous causes in the past, including being a panel member for the Youth Offending Team.

She said she hoped her work as a magistrate and as a barrister would help benefit Bradford.

She said: “I would hope to help create a safer environment in Bradford, so it’s easy for every girl to walk around in the streets and for parents to trust the girls to be out there and support them in their education.”

Frank Gray, secretary to the Bradford Advisory Committee, said: “The advisory committee strives to ensure that the magistrates who the Bradford bench and represent the city in that capacity are truly representative of the city of Bradford.”

Anyone interested in becoming a magistrate should contact Jane Sturmey on (01274) 302034 or visit directgov.co.uk.