Bangladesh-origin Shahana Hanif elected to NYC Council

Bangladesh-origin American Shahana Hanif has become the first Muslim woman to have been elected to the New York City Council.

Shahana, a former City Council employee, won her election on Tuesday in a Brooklyn district that covers Park Slope, Kensington and parts of central Brooklyn, reports The New York Times.

She was one of two history-making South Asian candidates to win as well. The other, Shekar Krishnan, won a seat representing Jackson Heights and Elmhurst in Queens.

Shahana, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, said in a tweet, “I’m humbled to be the first Muslim woman elected to the New York City Council and the first woman to represent my district.

“We are building an anti-racist, feminist city. We deserve a city that guarantees equitable education, invests in climate solutions, and makes our immigrant neighbors heard and safe. I’m ready to move our city forward in service of our progressive vision every day,” she wrote.