Assma Ali faces backlash after appointment as first Muslim judge in Benoit, Mississippi

Assma Ali, an American attorney of Yemeni descent, has been appointed as the first Muslim municipal judge for the town of Benoit, Mississippi. Following her oath of office on August 5, Ali has faced significant online hostility and social media attacks.

Critics, including Mississippi State Senator Michael McLendon, have questioned her appointment and her place on the bench. Some social media users have made unsubstantiated claims that Ali intends to implement Sharia law, while others have falsely questioned the legitimacy of the appointment itself.

Ali, who has practiced immigration law for nearly a decade and runs a private practice in Ridgeland, released a statement affirming her commitment to the United States Constitution and Mississippi state law. Supporters and legal professionals have defended her qualifications, noting her long-standing involvement in the state’s legal community.