Virginia: Ghazala Hashmi becomes the first Muslim woman vice-governor of an American state

Virginia, in the United States, has just experienced a historic moment. Ghazala Hashmi, currently a state senator, was elected vice governor, becoming the first Muslim woman to hold a statewide leadership position in the United States. Born in India and based in Virginia for more than thirty years, Hashmi got involved in politics after the “Muslim Ban”, the measure taken in 2017 by Donald Trump targeting several Muslim countries. She claims that this discriminatory policy pushed her to publicly defend the rights and place of Muslims in the United States.

Her campaign focused on two priorities: strengthening public education and opposing, according to her, the climate of “chaos” generated by Trump’s second term, marked in particular by a paralysis of the federal administration which directly affects the local economy. Ghazala Hashmi has also had to face attacks linked to her faith, with some opponents insinuating that she would support the imposition of “sharia” – a classic discourse of the American far right.

Despite this, her victory aroused strong enthusiasm, particularly among young women from minorities. She sees it as a clear signal: “We are opening a new chapter in Virginia, after decades of prejudice. Women are essential leaders. » This election night also marked other historic firsts: Virginia elected its first female governor, Abigail Spanberger, while New York is preparing to welcome its first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani. A new page opens for the political representation of Muslims in the United States.