President Barack Obama on Tuesday nominated the first-ever Muslim to the federal judiciary, according to The Huffington Post.
While Obama did not acknowledge the fact that Abid Riaz Qureshi is Muslim in his announcement, he said that he is confident Qureshi is a great choice for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“I am pleased to nominate Mr. Qureshi to serve on the United States District Court bench,” Obama said in a statement. “I am confident he will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice.”
It’s still up in the air whether Qureshi will be appointed, as the Republican-led Senate has refused to confirm nearly all of Obama’s picks in the last few months. But the President’s decision is a symbolic win for the Muslim community, Farhana Khera, executive director of Muslim Advocates, a legal advocacy organization, said in a statement.
“A judiciary that reflects the rich diversity of our nation helps ensure the fair and just administration of the law, and it is vital for American Muslims to be included,” Khera’s statement read. “Mr. Qureshi’s profound commitment to the rule of law and justice for people of all backgrounds makes him an exceptional nominee.”
