Pakistan-Origin Zahid Quraishi Confirmed As America's First Muslim Federal Judge

Pakistani-origin magistrate Zahid Quraishi was confirmed by the US Senate as a federal judge in the US Court, New Jersey. Currently serving as a magistrate in New Jersey, Quraishi was nominated by President Joe Biden as a federal judge in April. He will be the first Muslim federal judge in the history of the US.

The Senate voted 81-16 to approve Quraishi's nomination.

While introducing Qureshi, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin said, “Once confirmed, Mr Qureshi of New Jersey will be the first Muslim American in US history to serve as an article 3 federal judge." By approving his nomination, the US Senate has paved the way for his confirmation later this week.

Born in New York City, Quraishi was raised in Fanwood, New Jersey. His parents, Shahida P. Quraishi and Dr. Nisar A. Quraishi, are immigrants from Pakistan.

Senator Durbin also said that Quraishi has had 'an amazing public service career'.

Before his appointment as a magistrate in 2019, Quraishi served as a partner in the white collar criminal defense practice of New Jersey law firm Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti.