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First hijab-wearing judge takes oath to join bench at US Court in New Jersey

March 26, 2023
Nadia Kahf holds her gavel after being appointed as a judge, in Passaic County Superior Court, New Jersey. (Twitter Photo)
Nadia Kahf holds her gavel after being appointed as a judge, in Passaic County Superior Court, New Jersey. (Twitter Photo)

NEW JERSEY — US attorney Nadia Kahf has been appointed to the New Jersey Superior Court, becoming the first hijab-wearing judge on the bench, local media reported.

Kahf, a Syrian-origin family law and immigration attorney from the township of Wayne, took the oath of office on Thursday with her hand on a copy of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, according to local news website North Jersey.

She will serve as a Passaic County Superior Court judge after New Jersey's Governor Phil Murphy nominated her a year ago, according to local media.

Though Kahf is not the first Muslim woman to serve as a state judge, she is the first to wear a hijab on the bench.

She is also the legal adviser to Wafa House, a nonprofit domestic violence and social services agency based in the city of Clifton, and chairwoman of the Islamic Center of Passaic County. — Agencies


March 26, 2023
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