Nadia Kahf, a Syrian-born attorney, created history by becoming the first hijab-wearing judge on the Superior Court in the United States.

According to media reports, Kahf was nominated by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy back in 2022. However, in May, community leaders such as mayors, council members, school board members, and leaders of the New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association, signed a letter urging Senator Kristin Corrado to advance Kahf’s nomination. Additionally, over 700 individuals showed their support for her nomination by signing an online petition.

During her swearing-in ceremony last week, Nadia Kahf became the third Muslim woman to serve as a US Superior Court judge. She took the oath with her hand on a copy of the Qur’an, which she inherited from her grandmother.

Kahf’s legal expertise lies in family law and immigration cases. Additionally, she has been a board member of the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights organization for Muslims, since 2003.