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Obama taps Muslim-American judge for federal bench

Appointment would be historic first
<p>During his historic trip to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/president-obama-pledges-90m-to-clear-bombs-in-laos/" target="_blank">Laos</a>, President Obama made another &quot;first&quot; back in the U.S.</p><p>He nominated Abid Riaz Qureshi to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Qureshi is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.muslimadvocates.org/muslim-advocates-heralds-president-obamas-historic-judicial-nomination-2/" target="_blank">reportedly</a>&nbsp;the first American Muslim to be nominated to serve as a federal judge.</p><p><b>SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/trump-stands-by-comments-adding-muslim-judge-could-be-biased/">Trump Stands By Comments, Adding Muslim Judge Could Be Biased</a></b></p><p>Qureshi is currently a partner at a D.C. law firm. According to its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lw.com/people/abid-qureshi" target="_blank">website</a>, Qureshi is the global chairman of the firm&#39;s Pro Bono Committee. He specializes in securities violations, False Claims Act liability and health care fraud. He is also a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association&#39;s Legal Ethics Committee.</p><p>He received his law degree from Harvard Law School and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University.</p><p><b>SEE MORE: <a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/judge-allowed-an-inmate-to-meet-his-baby-for-the-first-time/">This Judge's Compassion Is Catching Everyone's Attention</a></b></p><p>However, it&#39;s unlikely Qureshi will be confirmed before the end of Obama&#39;s term.</p><p>The Senate Judiciary Committee hasn&#39;t held a nomination hearing for Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. Obama nominated Garland in March. After that, Republicans on the committee sent a letter to the Senate majority leader saying they wouldn&#39;t hold a hearing for any Supreme Court nominee until the next president is sworn in. And political-watchers don&#39;t think it will be any different for a federal judge.</p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/bill-cosby-trial-date-set-lawyers-at-odds-with-allred/">Bill Cosby&#039;s Lawyers Are Fighting An Attorney Who&#039;s Not On The Case</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/danny-heinrich-admits-to-killing-murder-of-jacob-wetterling/">Danny Heinrich Admits To Kidnapping And Murder Of Jacob Wetterling</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/itt-tech-shuts-its-doors-tens-of-thousands-affected/">Major For-Profit College Shuts Its Doors</a></li></ul>
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has nominated a Washington, D.C., attorney for the federal bench. If confirmed, he would be the first Muslim American to serve as a federal judge.

Obama has nominated Abid Riaz Qureshi of Maryland for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Qureshi's bio at Latham & Watkins LLP says he specializes in cases involving fraud and securities violations.

An advocacy group called Muslim Advocates is applauding the nomination, saying that diversity helps ensure the fair administration of the law, and it is vital for Muslims to be included.

However, Senate confirmation is uncertain. Congress is in an abbreviated session, and the Senate is scheduled to meet only until the first week in October.

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