Soma Sayed becomes the first Bangladeshi-born judge in US history

Soma S. Sayed has been recognized as a New York State Supreme Court justice, becoming the first Bangladeshi-born judge in US history and the first Muslim judge from Queens, New York City.

The information was confirmed by Burhan Chowdhury, a family member of Soma's, on Wednesday night. Soma Sayeed achieved this recognition by receiving more than 260,000 votes in the election.

Regarding his achievement, Justice Soma Sayeed said, "This is a victory for my family, my society, and my country."

Soma Sayeed was born in Tangail District, Bangladesh. Her father, Aftab Uddin Sayeed, was a magistrate, and her mother, a headmistress.

She was elected as a New York City Civil Court judge from Queens County in 2021. Since then, she has been a respected figure in the legal and civic community. Soma Saeed and her husband, Mizan Chowdhury (who is an IT specialist and political strategist), currently reside in Queens, New York.

Justice Soma Saeed is known for her unwavering commitment to diversity, representation, and justice. She has held several important leadership positions in the New York legal community, including Vice Chair of the New York City Equal Justice Council, Board Member of the New York City Council on Justice, and Member of the New York Asian American Judges Association.

Additionally, she was the first South Asian and Muslim woman to serve as president of the Queens County Women's Bar Association.