Let's learn more about her life, her work, and how she has made a difference!

Here's a detailed profile of Asifa Quraishi-Landes, an esteemed American legal scholar specializing in Islamic and U.S. constitutional law:
Personal Information
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Full Name: Asifa Bano Quraishi
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Date of Birth: July 17, 1967
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Place of Birth: Santa Clara County, California, USA
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Nationality: American
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Current Position: Professor of Law at the University of Wisconsin Law School
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Contact Email: asifa.quraishilandes@wisc.edu
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Office Address: 975 Bascom Mall, 7111 Law Building, Madison, WI, USA, 53706-1399
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Twitter: @AQuraishiLandes
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Website: University Profile
Education
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S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science): Harvard Law School, 2006
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LL.M. (Master of Laws): Columbia Law School, 1998
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J.D. (Juris Doctor): University of California, Davis, 1992
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B.A. (Bachelor of Arts): University of California, Berkeley, 1988
Legal and Academic Career
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Judicial Clerkships:
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Law Clerk to Judge Edward Dean Price, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (1993–1994)
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Death Penalty Law Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1994–1997)
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Academic Positions at University of Wisconsin Law School:
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Assistant Professor (2004–2012)
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Associate Professor (2012–2017)
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Full Professor (2017–present)
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Honors and Fellowships
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Carnegie Scholar, 2009
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Guggenheim Fellow, 2012
Research Interests
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Islamic Constitutionalism
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Comparative Constitutional Law
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Legal Pluralism
Selected Publications
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"Legislating Morality and Other Illusions about Islamic Government" in Locating the Shari'a: Legal Fluidity in Theory, History and Practice
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"Healing a Wounded Islamic Constitutionalism: Sharia, Legal Pluralism, and Unlearning the Nation-State Paradigm" in Transformative Constitutionalism
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"Five Myths About Sharia" – The Washington Post, June 24, 2016
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"How to Create an Islamic Government – Not an Islamic State" – Middle East Eye, May 9, 2017
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"Five Myths About Hijab" – The Washington Post, March 15, 2019

Professional Affiliations and Leadership Roles
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President, National Association of Muslim Lawyers (NAML)
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Co-Executive Director, Muslim Advocates
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Executive Director, Muslim Public Service Network
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Chair of the Board of Trustees, Bayan Islamic Graduate School
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President, Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights
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Public Delegate, U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
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Advisor, Pew Task Force on Religion & Public Life
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Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Early Life and Background:
Asifa Quraishi was born in the United States, but her family originally comes from South Asia, specifically from India. Her parents moved to the U.S. for better opportunities, and they wanted to give their children a chance at a good education. Asifa grew up in a family that valued education, hard work, and helping others.
From a young age, Asifa was very curious and loved learning. She asked a lot of questions and always wanted to understand how the world works. Her parents encouraged her to follow her dreams and to never give up, no matter how difficult things might seem.
Education:
Asifa Quraishi was always a bright student, and she worked hard in school. She knew that education was the key to making a difference in the world. She attended a university where she studied law, which is the study of rules and systems that help keep society fair and organized.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Asifa went on to law school. She learned many important things about the law, including how it affects people’s lives and how lawyers can help people who are being treated unfairly. She was very interested in how laws can be used to protect people’s rights and freedoms.

Career in Law:
After finishing her studies, Asifa Quraishi started working as a lawyer. She focused on helping people who faced unfair treatment because of their religion, race, or background. She believed that everyone should be treated equally, no matter where they came from or what religion they followed.
Asifa Quraishi also worked to promote the rights of women and children. She believed that everyone, especially women and girls, should have the opportunity to live a life of dignity and respect. She fought hard for laws that would protect people from violence and discrimination, especially women who might not have a voice in society.

Advocacy for Human Rights and Religious Freedom:
One of Asifa’s biggest areas of work has been promoting religious freedom. Religious freedom means that people have the right to follow any religion they choose, or even not to follow any religion at all. Asifa has spoken out about how important it is for governments and societies to respect people’s beliefs and to make sure no one is treated unfairly because of their religion.
She also worked on improving the rights of Muslim people, especially women, in the United States. After the events of September 11, 2001, many Muslims were unfairly treated, and Asifa wanted to make sure that people understood that everyone, no matter their religion, deserves respect and fair treatment.
She also focused on helping people who were refugees or immigrants. Asifa understood the struggles that people face when they move to a new country, especially if they are escaping war or violence. She worked on laws that would help these people live safely and peacefully in their new homes.
Challenges She Faced:
Asifa Quraishi’s journey was not always easy. As a woman, a Muslim, and a person of color, she faced many challenges. Some people did not believe that women should be lawyers or have a powerful role in society, and others did not always understand her beliefs.
But Asifa didn’t let these challenges stop her. Instead, she used her difficulties as motivation to keep going. She believed that if you work hard and stay true to your values, you can make a difference, no matter what others say.
One of the biggest challenges Asifa faced was dealing with prejudice, or unfair treatment based on her religion or background. However, she never gave up. She made it her mission to change people’s minds and show them that everyone deserves equality and respect.

Asifa’s Impact and Achievements:
Asifa Quraishi has done a lot of important work over the years. She has fought for the rights of people who might otherwise be overlooked or mistreated. Some of her most important achievements include:
- Defending Religious Freedom: Asifa has worked on many projects to protect the rights of people to practice their religion freely. She has fought against discrimination and worked hard to ensure that everyone, no matter their background, is treated fairly.
- Fighting for Women’s Rights: She has spent much of her career working to improve the lives of women, especially Muslim women. She believes that women should have the same opportunities as men, and she has worked to make sure that laws protect women from violence and abuse.
- Supporting Immigrants and Refugees: Asifa has worked to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees, helping them find safety and security in new countries. She has been a strong voice for people who are often overlooked or misunderstood.
- Promoting Equality: Asifa has always been a strong advocate for equality. She believes that people should be treated the same, regardless of their race, gender, or religion. Her work has made a big difference in the fight for civil rights and social justice.
Why She’s a Role Model:
Asifa Quraishi is a great example of someone who has used their education and skills to make the world a better place. She has shown that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what obstacles you face if you work hard and believe in yourself, you can make a big difference.
Here are a few reasons why Asifa is a role model:
- She Fights for What’s Right: Asifa always speaks up for what is fair and just, even when it’s difficult. She has worked on many important cases to protect people’s rights and to make sure everyone is treated equally.
- She Helps Those Who Are Struggling: Asifa has always been passionate about helping people who are facing problems or who are in need of support. Whether it’s fighting for women’s rights or supporting refugees, she’s always there to lend a helping hand.
- She Never Gives Up: Asifa faced many challenges in her life, but she never let them stop her. She believed in her mission and kept pushing forward, no matter how difficult things got.
- She’s Kind and Caring: Asifa cares deeply about other people, especially those who are treated unfairly. She wants to create a world where everyone can live in peace and harmony, no matter their background.
Asifa Quraishi has lived a life full of hard work, dedication, and a strong desire to make the world a better place. She has fought for the rights of many people, especially women and those who are often overlooked or mistreated. Her work in law and human rights has made a big difference in the lives of many, and she continues to inspire people all around the world.
Asifa’s story teaches us that we all have the power to make a difference, no matter where we come from. If we stand up for what is right, treat others with kindness, and never give up on our dreams, we can create a better world for everyone.
She is a true role model for young people everywhere, and her work will continue to inspire generations to come.
Current Projects
Professor Quraishi-Landes is working on a book manuscript tentatively titled Three Pillars Constitutionalism, proposing a new model of Islamic constitutionalism for contemporary Muslim-majority countries.
Reality and Facts:
Did you know? Asifa Quraishi’s work is not just limited to the United States! She has traveled to different countries and worked with organizations around the world to promote human rights and religious freedom. She truly believes that we all have a responsibility to help others, no matter where they live.