Mississippi town's new Muslim judge faces online vilification

Immigration lawyer Assma Ali, a U.S. citizen of Yemeni descent, was sworn in as municipal judge for Benoit, a tiny Delta community, after the town’s governing body appointed her last week. Ali, who earned her law degree in 2017 and practices in Ridgeland, posted her oath and the meeting agenda to demonstrate transparency. Online commentators, including some Mississippi politicians, launched attacks alleging she would impose Islamic law and even suggested the appointment was fabricated.

Experts such as Frank Rosenblatt and Sahar Aziz refuted these claims, pointing out that the state and U.S. constitutions prohibit exclusion based on religion and that municipal judges handle only local ordinance and misdemeanor matters. Mississippi law does not require judges to reside in the municipalities they serve, and many hold part-time positions while maintaining private practices. The episode underscores ongoing tensions over religious identity in public office and the misuse of social media to spread misinformation.