While No One Was Paying Attention, Obama Quietly Did This President Barack Obama made history this week when he nominated the first Muslim-American to serve as a federal judge on the U.S. District court for the District of Columbia. According to reports, Obama claimed Abid Riaz Qureshi would serve with integrity and a commitment to justice. Qureshi was previously working for the law firm Latham Watkins, where he focused on health care fraud and securities violations. He graduated from Harvard Law School in the late 90s. I am pleased to nominate Mr. Qureshi to serve on the United States District Court bench, Obama said in a statement about the nomination. I am confident he will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice. If the nomination is confirmed, Qureshi will officially be the first Muslim-America to serve as a federal judge in the nations capital. Hell have to pass through the U.S. Senate first, which has decided not to make any decisions on judicial nominations until after Obamas term ends in January. 