Washington, DC — Today, President Joe Biden nominated Nusrat Jahan Choudhury to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. If confirmed, Choudhury would become the first Muslim woman to serve as a Senate-confirmed federal judge and would be just the second ever American Muslim to serve in this role. She also would be the first Bangladeshi-American to sit on a federal court. Muslim Advocates has urged the White House to nominate Choudhury and previously sent Sen. Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand a letter urging them to do the same. In September, Sen. Schumer officially recommended Choudhury.

The following is a statement from Muslim Advocates Co-Interim Executive Directors Asifa Quraishi-Landes and Farah Brelvi:

“Nusrat Jahan Choudhury’s nomination is momentous for so many reasons. At a time when inequalities in the justice system are front and center, Choudhury, who dedicated her career to protecting the civil rights of Muslims and other marginalized communities, would bring legitimacy to the judiciary by pushing it towards justice. And at a time when hate and division are driving us apart, Choudhury would serve as an inspiration as the first Muslim woman, first Bangladeshi-American and second ever American Muslim to serve as a Senate-confirmed federal judge.   

Since its founding, Muslim Advocates has fought to secure justice and representation for American Muslims and other marginalized communities. Having an American Muslim woman with a long history of fighting for civil rights serve on a federal court would go a long way towards accomplishing those goals. We’re immensely proud to have played even a small role in helping make that happen. On a personal note, as two Muslim women lawyers, we know that Choudhury’s nomination makes her a powerful role model for Bangledeshi-Americans, New Yorkers and American Muslims nationwide—a role model our own younger selves only imagined.

When Americans see Judge Nusrat Jahan Choudhury’s name on the bench, they will know that it is possible to be promoted to one of our country’s most powerful positions based on a professional career entirely devoted to advancing justice, strengthening constitutional protections and protecting the marginalized. We thank President Joe Biden and Sen. Chuck Schumer for making this historic nomination happen. We also urge the Senate to give Choudhury a fair and speedy hearing.”

Additional Resources:

• Read Muslim Advocates’ letter to Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand

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Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination.