CAIR, CAIR-NY Welcome Confirmation of First Muslim Woman as Federal Judge
Credit: Pexels/Vlada Karpovich
(NEW YORK, NY - 6/15/2023) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and its New York chapter (CAIR-NY) today welcomed the Senate’s confirmation of Nusrat Jahan Choudhury to the position of United States District Court Justice for the Eastern District of New York.
Choudhury is the first American Muslim woman and Bangladeshi-American to serve as a federal judge.
SEE: Choudhury Confirmed as First Muslim Woman Federal Judge
Choudhury is the second American Muslim to be nominated by the Biden administration to the position of a federal judge. Zahid Quraishi was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR previously welcomed her nomination.
“We welcome the confirmation of Nusrat Jahan Choudhury as a clear statement that American Muslims are part of the fabric of our society at all levels and that our judiciary is increasingly diverse,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.
CAIR Trial Attorney Justin Sadowsky said:
“Representation matters. Too long, Muslim women in this country have not been adequately heard by the Courts, leading to decisions such as an employer allowing to discriminate against women wearing hijab because of the fear their customers might be Islamophobic. Choudhury has a long history of commitment to the civil rights not only of Muslims but of all Americans. We welcome Choudhury’s appointment as an important step in giving Muslim women the voice they deserve.”
In a statement, CAIR-NY's Executive Director, Afaf Nasher, Esq. said:
“We are thrilled to witness this historic moment as Nusrat Jahan Choudhury becomes the first Muslim woman to serve as a federal judge in the New York District. This significant milestone marks a profound advancement in representation, diversity, and inclusion within the American judiciary.
“We congratulate Choudhury and believe her appointment will contribute to a more equitable and representative legal system for all Americans.
“Choudhury will undoubtedly serve as an inspiring role model for aspiring jurists, particularly Muslim women, who seek to contribute their talents to the pursuit of justice. Her confirmation paves the way for increased representation and access to justice for marginalized communities, fostering a more inclusive legal system.”
Background About Nusrat Jahan Choudhury:
According to the ACLU IL’s website, “prior to joining the ACLU of Illinois, Nusrat served as Deputy Director of the national ACLU Racial Justice Program, a staff attorney in the ACLU National Security Project, and a Marvin M. Karpatkin Fellow.”
Choudhry’s ACLU profile also notes that she has worked on several issues of high importance to the American Muslim community, including:
Helping to secure “the first federal court ruling striking down the U.S. government’s No Fly List procedures for violating due process.”
Filing “litigation to challenge the NYPD’s unjustified and discriminatory profiling of Muslims for surveillance, which resulted in a court-ordered settlement agreement, and to secure public records about the FBI’s racial and ethnic mapping program.”
“Advancing civil rights and civil liberties” and “First Amendment rights, government transparency, change in the criminal legal system and policing, voting rights”
Leading “litigation to protect immigrants from dangerous detention conditions and serves as counsel for community organizations.” enforcing a federal consent decree to reform Chicago police patterns of excessive force.”
Advancing “efforts to challenge racial profiling and unlawful stop-and-frisk, the targeting of people of color for surveillance without evidence of wrongdoing, and practices that disproportionately punish people for being poor.”
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com