For the first time ever, Virginia has elected their first Muslim into statewide office. Ghazala Hashmi is an Indian Muslim democrat. She has been just elected and is now Virginia’s lieutenant governor. 

For some students, this is a changing moment. 

“I think it’s really progressive,” sophomore Isabella Stubbs said.  “I am really happy to have somebody with a different perspective.” 

Students note the importance of youth to witness diversity in something like government and politics. 

“I think it’s really important, especially for young people, to see that different people can achieve things like that,” freshman Aroob Fatima said. “Everyone has a different perspective.”

Students in the Muslim community at Valley are excited and proud about this. 

“I felt very happy and proud. I think it’s good to see a Muslim in the government,” junior Zahra Zandinejad said. 

Hashmi’s election is a changing moment and shows Virginia’s shift to a more diverse government.  

For some students, this sort of representation matters.

“It is important to acknowledge different races and religions,” Zandinejad said, “because everyone deserves representation. Different people bring different ideas.”