Approved unanimously by Edison Township Council, Asma Warsi has been appointed to be a judge of the Edison Municipal Court, making history as the first-ever Muslim municipal judge in the majority-Asian Middlesex County township.
“It’s important that our government reflects its population. I am very proud to announce the appointment of the first Muslim-American municipal court judge in Edison’s history.” said Mayor Sam Joshi, Insider NJ reported.
“This is a historic moment that highlights our commitment to diversity and inclusion in our justice system. Judge Warsi brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and integrity to the bench, and I am confident that she will serve our community with fairness and impartiality.”
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Graduating from Rutgers University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in History & Middle Eastern Studies, Judge Warsi continued her education and received a Master of Arts in Near Eastern Studies from New York University in 1998.
She began her career as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx. She is currently the immigration services program director for Catholic Charities of Metuchen, and has operated her own law practice since 2009.
First Muslim
Since 2020, she has worked as the Immigration Services Program Director for Catholic Charities of Metuchen.
“As a Muslim-American, I am honored to serve as the first Muslim municipal court judge in Edison’s history, and am immensely grateful to Mayor Joshi for giving me this wonderful opportunity,” added Judge Warsi.
“Public service has been the backbone of my career and personal life, and I hope to bring a diverse perspective to the bench to ensure that justice is served for all members of our community.”
With this feat, Warsi follows in the footsteps of other Muslim women who have achieved success in the legal field.
In June 2022, Laila Ikram made history by taking the bench as the first Muslim judge in Arizona.
Also in this year, US President Joe Biden picked eight judicial nominees, including Nusrat Choudhury who would be the first Muslim woman to serve as a federal judge.
Michigan’s solicitor general Fadwa Hammoud also made history in October 2021 by becoming the first Arab American Muslim woman to argue before the US Supreme Court.