Nadia Kahf Hijab-Wearing Judge, Sworn in on Quran in USA

Nadia Kahf has become the 2nd Muslim hijab-wearing woman judge in the USA. Kahf took her oath on Holy Quran. She has been appointed to the superior court in New Jersey.

Kahf is being hailed from Syria and is a family law and immigration attorney. Nadia Kahf took her oath on Thursday with her hand on the Holy Quran in New Jersey. She will serve a Passaic County Superior Court Judge after New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy nominated her a year ago. 

While talking to a local media outlet, she said, “I’m overwhelmed and very happy and very honored as well.” Judge Kahf, 50, said in an interview with the North Jersey news outlet. “I’m happy the bench is going to reflect (all) residents of New Jersey.”

Since 2003, she has served on the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations board. “I am proud to represent the Muslim and Arab communities in New Jersey in the United States,” she said during her swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday. “I want the younger generation to see that they can practice their religion without fear that they can be who they are,” said Kahf in her interview.

Her nomination was delayed for more than a year despite being nominated. Kahf’s approval came earlier this month, six months after objections were removed.

“It is ordered that effective upon taking the judicial oath of office, and until further Order, Superior Court Judge Nadia Kahf is hereby assigned to the Superior Court, Family Division, Passaic County,” said an official order issued on March 3, 2023.

Nadia Kahf immigrated to the USA when she was 2-years-old. She completed her B.A. in 1994 from Montclair State University. Kahf received her law degree from Seton Hall University, New Jersey. Nadia Kahf has been practicing law since 2002 and is a widely respected lawyer in New Jersey.

However,  Carolyn Walker-Dialo was the first Hijabi-women judge sowrn in on Quran eight years ago in Brooklyn.