VIRGINIA – Atif Qarni, Pakistani American Muslim, took an oath of office ofthe State of Virginia education portfolio. This is first Muslim minister toreceive a ministerial post according to the Richmond Times
Qarni is set to oversee an educational policy which supports state schoolsas well as higher education institutions.A video on social media went viralabout the new minister performing the constitutional oath to the office onthe Holy Quran in front of the governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam.
His Motive:
“It’s important that we have a state education secretary who understandsthe curriculum and classes from kindergarten to high school and has avision of how to develop education,” Northam State Governor said on theoccasion.
His Background:
Born in Karachi in 1978, Qarni immigrated to the US with his family at age10 and grew up in Parkville, Maryland, before moving to Manassas, Virginiain 2005.