Associate Justice Karl Procaccini, the first Muslim to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Associate Justice Karl Procaccini made history by becoming the first Muslim to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

At the traditional inauguration ceremony, which attracted hundreds of elected officials, judges, lawyers, and other dignitaries, Chief Justice Natalie Hudson also made history by becoming the first person to color to rule the court.

In his speech, Procaccini said he would use his role to protect the rule of law.

“The rule of law is so fragile that it requires constant maintenance and regeneration. And it requires a renewed and lasting commitment from every generation to ensure the integrity of our court,” he told people at the Minnesota History Center after taking the oath of office with his hands on the Constitution and the Quran.

Procaccini, 40, is a professor at the University of St. Thomas Law School. He also served as general counsel to Governor Tim Walz during his first term.

Judge Karl Procaccini played a key role in coordinating the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a large part of why Walz chose him for this appointment.

Earlier this month, U.S. President Joe Biden nominated Adeel A. Mangi, a Harvard- and Oxford-educated attorney, to the Philadelphia-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit. This follows Biden’s appointment two years ago of the first Muslim to a federal district court, Zahid N. Quraishi, who was confirmed by the Senate for a judgeship in New Jersey.