Yasmin Qureshi, 44, has spent the last few years as a barrister in London and a human rights adviser to Mayor Ken Livingstone. Her passion for justice and equality has also seen her hold positions such as the head of the Criminal Legal Section of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and director of the Department of Judicial Administration in Kosovo. She was also the former chair of the Human Rights and Civil Liberties Working Group of the Association of Muslim Lawyers.

Referred to by colleagues as a staunch Labour party activist, Yasmin Qureshi beat more than 50 potential candidates to be selected to represent Bolton South East constituency when Dr Brian Iddon MP steps down ahead of the next general election.

Barring a major catastrophe for Labour, Bolton is virtually a guaranteed safe seat for Yasmin as she will inherit a majority of over 11,000 votes. But this does not necessarily guarantee she will have an easy time as an MP.

Speaking to Islamic Times, Yasmin Qureshi said; “It will, of course, be a challenge for me, as a woman, working in a male dominated profession, because a lot of the things I do and say will be placed under a microscope, but I aim to work a lot harder to avoid unnecessary scrutiny and prove that I am capable, just like anyone else.” “My main focus as an MP will be on issues such as education, health and crime, but overall highlighting and tackling those matters which are of concern not just to ethnic minorities, but to the whole constituency which I seek to represent, whether they be white, black or asian.”

Yasmin Qureshi isn’t the only candidate set to stand for her community as a Muslim female MP. Eastender Rushanara Ali has also won the opportunity to represent her constituency, Bethnal Green and Bow at the next general election, aseat which is currently held by George Galloway.

Rushanara Ali is currently the director of the Policy Research body, the Young foundation and was described as a ‘brainbox’ by her former employer, Oona King MP, when she served as a Parliamentary assistant.

And the list continues, with the recent appointment by David Cameron of Sayeeda Warsi as the Conservative Party’s shadow minister for Community Cohesion. This appointment is even thought to be the first time a Muslim has reached such a prominent position in British politics.

Having spoken to Yasmin Qureshi, she comes across as an impressionable, intelligent and ambitious individual, willing to serve her constituency and challenge the long held beliefs that Muslim women are oppressed and cannot strive in society.

The next few months will certainly provide an interesting time in politics as we see the candidates engaging with ‘real’ people. Nonetheless, individuals like Yasmin Qureshi should inspire other Muslim women, and their new roles will allow them the chance to do just that. We wish them all well.