Nigerian woman Zulfat Suara is set to break a record as the first Muslim lawmaker in Tennessee, United States.
Suara is the first Muslim woman to have ever run for any position in the state of Tennessee, and if elected, she will be the first Muslim, male or female, ever elected in Tennessee.
She emigrated with her family from Nigeria in 1993 and moved to Nashville in 1998.
Suara will be running in the general runoff election on September 12, 2019, after advancing from the general election on the 1st of August.
She is one of the 15 candidates running for 5 at-large seats on the Metro Council in the August election.
In an interview with NowThis, Suara said she is seeking a legislative position because she wants to give back to America, which has done a lot for her family.
“I am an American citizen who happens to be Black, who happens to be a woman, who happens to be a Muslim, but I’m an American, and I have every right to give back. I have every right to run,” she said.
Tennessee might elect its first Muslim lawmaker, Nashville Metro Council candidate Zulfat Suara (via @TheTNHoller) pic.twitter.com/mjpdxdrw7I
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 9, 2019