Nigerian woman, Zulfat Suara becomes first Muslim woman to be elected to Nashville office

Zulfat Suara, a US-based Nigerian woman who made headlines months ago after declaring her interest to contest for political office in Nashville, has also made history by becoming the first Muslim to be elected to a Metro seat in Nashville. 

Suara contested for one of the five At-Large council seats and she joins Bob Mendes, Sharon Hurt, Burkley Allen, and Steve Glover as the newly elected members. The Certified Public Accountant works as the Assistant Controller at Meharry Medical College. 

She migrated with her husband to the United States in 1993, but moved to Nashville in 1998 after her husband was accepted to a fellowship program at Vanderbilt. The Nigerian Muslim politician who reportedly faced Islamophobic comments and threats during her campaign, had a strong showing in fundraising and campaigned on issues related to city finances and public education.

The Election Commission’s website revealed that Suara polled 34,237 votes which is exactly 13 percent of the vote. When the early voting results were tallied she was not among the top five. She however sealed her spot on the election day September 12, by defeating district council member Sheri Weiner for the fifth and final spot.