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Senate confirms Zahid Quraishi as first Muslim federal judge

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Tom Williams

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Zahid Quraishi became the first Muslim federal judge Thursday, June 10. Quraishi was confirmed into the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The vote was 81-16, with even 34 Republicans voting against the party line. 

President Biden nominated Quraishi in March as a part of his round of diverse nominations. The other nominations included Judge Florence Y. Pan, Julien Neals, Judge Lydia Griggsby. 

Quraishi previously served as the United States magistrate judge in New Jersey before being sworn in. 

As a Rutgers Law School graduate, he worked as an assistant U.S. attorney to a military prosecutor. He has also completed tours in Iraq.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Quraishi would make history as the first Muslim American to serve as an Article III federal judge. 

Schumer continued, “The third largest religion in the United States, and he will become the first to ever serve as an Article III judge.”

Along with Schumer’s remark, American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee chairman Dr. Ijaz Ahmad said, “Quraishi is a model for Pakistani and Muslim Americans everywhere in this country.” 

He continued to say, “We are grateful to President Biden for nominating him and to members of the Senate for confirming him today.”

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