Hijab First in British Parliament

Muslim young girl Sumaiya Karim will be the first one to wear Hijab inside the British Parliament

Sumaiya Karim is 16 years old and hails from Wokingham, West London. She is part of the democratically elected Youth Parliament. (Photo courtesy: www.activeyouth.co.uk)

A 16-year-old girl is thought to have become the first person to speak from the House of Commons despatch box in the British parliament while wearing a hijab, The Times newspaper reported Saturday.

Sumaiya Karim a biology, chemistry, history and maths student, was speaking as the Youth Parliament held its annual session in the lower house’s chamber, where Britain’s MPs gather.
Karim, from Wokingham, west of London, said: “Wearing the hijab was my own choice.”

British ministers and opposition shadow ministers stand at the despatch boxes when they address the Commons.

The democratically elected Youth Parliament members, aged 11 to 18, are elected to represent the views of young people in their area to government.

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