(CANTON, MI, 3/21/2022) – The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, mourns yesterday’s passing of the Honorable Adam Shakoor, who was America’s first Muslim judge.
From February to September 1981, Judge Shakoor served as Trial Judge and Presiding Judge of the Real Estate Division at the Wayne County Common Pleas Court. That same year, he was appointed Presiding Judge and Chief Judge on the 36th District Court. Judge Shakoor was the first Muslim judge in American history.
In 1979, Shakoor successfully represented Masjid Wali Muhammad in Detroit in court for its right to call the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) over outside loudspeakers in the first such ruling in the country. In the same year, Shakoor also led litigation against the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) regarding religious accommodations for Muslim inmates which led to the hiring of the 1st Muslim chaplain in state corrections.
From 1989 to 1993, Shakoor served as deputy mayor for Detroit making him the first deputy mayor in the city’s history. He also served as the personal attorney for civil rights icon Rosa Parks from 1995 until her passing in 2005.
“We mourn the great loss of Judge Shakoor, who was a mentor and an inspiration to Michigan Muslims and the civil rights community,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “We pray that Allah enters him into paradise and showers patience upon his family.”
Walid also mentioned that CAIR-MI gave a special tribute and award to Shakoor at its annual banquet in 2015.
SEE: CAIR-MI 15th Annual Banquet: Retired Judge Adam Shakoor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmHkuQl9Gmk&t=416s
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, adoukoure@cair.com