Fauzia Janjua, a Pakistani-American, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the inaugural Pakistani and Muslim woman to secure the position of mayor in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at Mount Laurel’s Township Hall, saw Janjua taking the oath alongside her husband and four sons. Carol Murphy, a representative for New Jersey in the State Assembly and a Congressional candidate, administered the oath. In her address during the ceremony, Janjua expressed her profound sense of honor, emphasizing that her election holds significance not only for her but also stands as a source of pride for the entire Pakistani community in Mount Laurel.
Fauzia Janjua informed Urdu News that both her parents hail from Punjab. She was born in the United States after her father relocated there in the 1970s, and it was where she completed her education. Fauzia expressed that her enduring dedication to community service centers around educating incarcerated individuals and underprivileged children. In addition, she established a non-governmental organization (NGO) to actively contribute to the betterment of the community.
Discussing her entry into politics, she shared that a woman at a state governor’s event recognized her leadership potential and suggested that she consider taking a leadership role in the city. Following this conversation, Fauzia began her political journey, eventually culminating in her appointment as the Mayor.
