Hon. Zahid N. Quarishi
The Hon. Zahid N. Quarishi, a 1993 graduate of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and a talented soccer player for championship high school teams, has been named the first Muslim American federal district court judge in the United States.
In response, the Township Council adopted a resolution that commends Judge Quarishi for his tremendous accomplishment and service to the United States.
Judge Quarishi is s 2000 graduate of Rutgers Law School in Newark, served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, attaining the rank of captain, before being honorably discharged in 2007. During this time, Judge Quraishi was stationed in Germany, assigned to the First Infantry Division, and deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, both in 2004 and 2006.
He served as United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey in the Trenton Vicinage, appointed June 3, 2019. Of Pakistani descent, he was the first Asian-American to sit on the federal bench in New Jersey. On March 30, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Judge Quraishi to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The Senate confirmed him June 10 by a vote of 81-16.
“We commend Judge Quraishi for his tremendous service to the United States of America and serving as a shining example for the youth of Scotch Plains,” Mayor Losardo said. “He is truly a role model for all in our community to celebrate and emulate.”
Photo by Township of Scotch Plains
