Son of Pakistani Immigrants Becomes the First Muslim American Federal Judge in US History

June 11, 2021

A Pakistani American has just become the first Muslim American federal judge in U.S. history after the Senate confirmed him as a district judge for the District of New Jersey on Thursday.

About the judge: Zahid Quraishi, 46, a son of Pakistani immigrants, earned the judicial seat following a Senate vote of 81-16, NBC reported.

Quraishi was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey.
After earning his law degree from Rutgers Law School, he joined a law firm in 2001.
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Quraishi enlisted in the Army and served two tours in Iraq in 2004 and 2006, according to NPR.
Quraishi then worked for the Department of Homeland Security and then served in the U.S. attorney’s office in New Jersey before returning to private practice.
In 2019, he became the first Asian American to serve on the federal bench in New Jersey when he was appointed as a U.S. magistrate judge.

Historic nomination: President Joe Biden included Quraishi among the diverse nominees in his first judicial nominations announced in March.

Before the vote, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., called Quraishi’s confirmation “a real moment of breakthrough” for a “person who has shown their patriotism.”
American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee chairman Dr. Ijaz Ahmad expressed his gratitude for Biden’s nomination of the judge and the Senate’s confirmation.
“He is a model for the outstanding contributions that Pakistani and Muslim Americans make to this country every day,” Ahmad said.

Featured Image via Getty

Share this Article