ISLAMABAD: History was made in the United States as Ghazala Hashmi was sworn in as the country’s first Muslim female lieutenant governor, taking her oath of office on the Holy Quran, international media reported.
She is the second Muslim American to have taken the oath on the Holy Quran, after the newly elected New York mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
Alongside Hashmi, Abigail “Abby” Spanberger became the first woman to serve as Virginia’s governor. Jay Jones made history as the state’s first Black attorney general, according to Fox10 News.
Hashmi’s oath underscored the increasing presence of religious and ethnic minorities in American politics. The ceremony included an interfaith prayer breakfast, where Imam Sharif led a special prayer in honor of the occasion.
The event drew elected officials, community leaders, and representatives from civic organizations. Senator Saddam Azlan Saleem attended, alongside groups like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, who participated in a ceremonial parade led by community members Rizwan Jaka, Ahsanullah, and Bethany Rashid.
In her speech, Governor Spanberger highlighted her administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and pledged to address the everyday challenges Virginians face.
Ghazala Hashmi, born in Hyderabad, India, emigrated at age four and later earned a PhD in English from Emory University before working as an educator for 25 years. A Democrat, she first won office in 2019 by defeating a Republican incumbent for the Virginia State Senate, becoming the first woman and Muslim to represent the district.
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