The first Muslim American
Pakistani-born attorney
nominated to the Philadelphia-based US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
as a Federal Appellate Court Judge.
Only in America!
Alas! It didn’t happen.
Adeel Mangi, a New York lawyer
stellar credentials, impeccable character,
qualifications off the charts
civil rights advocate for LGBTQ+ and many other communities
a record every lawyer would aspire to
befitting a seat on the bench
nominated by the President of the U.S.
Alas! It didn’t happen.
Adeel, in your own words,
when you came before the Senate Judiciary Committee,
you expected to be questioned about your qualifications, philosophy, or legal issues.
Instead, you were asked questions about Israel
asked if you supported Hamas
asked if you celebrated 9/11.
When you responded that these claims were false,
your response did not matter.
When you stated that you condemn Hamas attacks,
your response did not matter.
When you condemned all forms of terrorism,
it did not matter.
The next Republican senator just repeated the same question.
Why were senators taking turns asking the same questions:
Hamas, 9/11?
Their constituents were listening
their donors were watching.
These senators took turns assuring them:
A Muslim will not be confirmed.
Would the Hamas and 9/11 question been asked
had the nominee been a Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Hindu,
or a None?
I wondered as I watched the Senate hearings.
The premise was: if you are a Muslim,
you are a terrorist sympathizer.
It didn’t end there.
In the months that followed
a smear campaign was launched
online threats and harassment
Ads deemed you anti-Semitic, a radical,
images with your eyes substituted with Hamas flag
Twin Towers burning in your eyes.
That major Jewish organizations including the ADL, stood up for you, didn’t matter.
What mattered was: You were a Muslim
and a Muslim has no place on the bench.
The Democrats caved in
with a weakened spine
they cut a deal
the nomination never came to a vote.
Adeel, you didn’t make it to finish line
but you blazed the trail
for your children and my grandchildren,
as you role modeled for them.
At the Senate hearing
and all through these months
you handled yourself with calm and dignity,
poised and composed, respectful of the American institution.
As an American, I am proud of you.
As a Muslim, I am proud of you.
I watched Cory Booker pay tribute to you
as he addressed your children
quoting your letter to Biden
You invoked the American values of religious pluralism.
You exhibited the American values: to love even those who hate you.
In your parting words to the president:
“For my part, I entered this nomination process as a proud American and a proud Muslim.
I exit it the same way, unbowed.”
Adeel, you remain a proud American, despite it all.
You love America, even when the powers that be, could not love you.
And for that, we love you.
