March 30, 2021

The Muslim Public Affairs Council applauds the Biden Administration for fulfilling its promise to make each branch of the U.S. government more representative of the diverse nature of America. In the past few months, we have seen an American Muslim woman, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council Sameera Fazili, speak from the White House dais on economic policy. The President nominated Dilawar Syed for the Small Business Administration and has expressed interest in nominating Lina Khan for the Federal Trade Commission. Judge Quraishi, if confirmed, will be the first Muslim on the federal bench. In contrast to the existential threat felt by Trump’s “Islam hates us” mantra, the President’s nomination of Judge Zahid Quraishi, Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey, would harken a new era of progress in American Muslims securing our place in roles that have not been historically filled by Muslims. 

Now is the time to get to know Zahid Quraishi and for him to get to know the American Muslim community. That opportunity will arise in the Senate confirmation hearing, when the Judiciary Committee will question Judge Quraishi on his record as a military prosecutor during the occupation of Iraq between 2004 and 2007, his judgments as Assistant Chief Counsel and trial attorney for the Department of Homeland Security, and his role as Assistant US Attorney and Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey. Sponsored by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Judge Quraishi will face the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin (D-IL).  MPAC will be submitting questions to the Chairman and his fellow Senators on the committee. 

There are approximately 900 Article III judgeships in the federal government, and several thousand appointments throughout the agencies in the executive branch. We look forward to even more well-qualified Muslims contributing to all branches of the government as we proceed under a President that values representation of all Americans. MPAC is partnering with other Muslim organizations to make that reality our ultimate goal.