Who is Adeel Mangi, the nominee for potential first Muslim US circuit court judge?

WEB DESK: US President Joe Biden has officially nominated Adeel A. Mangi for a federal judgeship, marking a historic move as Mangi could become the first Muslim-American and the first Pakistani to serve on any US circuit court.

Hailing from a distinguished Sindhi family, Mangi is one of five nominees for federal judgeships announced by the White House.

The nomination aligns with the Biden administration’s commitment to enhancing diversity in the judiciary.

What is Adeel Mangi nominated for?

Adeel Mangi is specifically nominated for the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals, headquartered in Philadelphia, covering Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands.

Despite the significance of Mangi’s nomination, many in Pakistan may be unfamiliar with his background.

More about Adeel Mangi

Adeel Mangi was born in Karachi, Pakistan. He earned his law degree from the University of Oxford in 1998 and qualified as a British barrister at law in 1999 after attending Lincoln’s Inn and the Inns of Court School of Law in London. He furthered his legal education with an LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 2000.

A civil litigator at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler in New York, Mangi has a distinguished career representing clients in complex, high-stakes cases.

Noteworthy is his extensive pro bono service and advocacy for cross-faith religious coalitions, including successful efforts on behalf of Muslim communities seeking to build and open mosques.

The White House emphasised Mangi’s experience in handling court filings, particularly his representation of a multi-faith coalition in a case before the Supreme Court.

The nomination is particularly poignant given the current climate of rising Islamophobia and threats faced by the Muslim community.

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President Biden’s commitment to diversifying judicial appointments, particularly in light of geopolitical challenges like those in the Middle East, underscores a broader dedication to addressing concerns within various communities.

Confirmation by the US Senate is required for all five nominees before they assume their roles.

The Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) welcomed Mangi’s nomination, expressing hope that it serves as an inspiration for immigrants who strive for recognition of their talents in the United States.