Shaikh is the first Muslim woman to serve as a Chief of Staff in the State Legislature, and Jaffer is the first Muslim, Pakistani American and first Asian American woman to be sworn into the State Legislature.
Dr. Sadaf Jaffer, another Pakistani American, is increasing her lead over her closest rival in the election for assembly district 16 as the postal ballot-counting continues. Republicans strong performance aside, the election brought many surprises across the nation.
If elected this November, Dr. Sadaf Jaffer and Shama Haider will become two first-ever Pakistani American and Muslim women to reach the New Jersey state assembly.
Pakistani-American women receive support from both the US Pakistani community and those of similar cultural roots, religions, and values. But being geographically dispersed, formation of influential voting blocs has not generally been possible for the Pakistani community
If elected this November, Sadaf Jaffer and Shama Haider will become the first Pakistani American and Asian women to serve on the New Jersey State Assembly.
