Statement of the Muslim Bar Association of New York on the Nomination of Nadia Shihata as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation
April 14, 2026
April 14, 2026
The Muslim Bar Association of New York strongly supports the nomination of Nadia Shihata to serve as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation.
Ms. Shihata is, by any objective measure, exceptionally qualified for this role. She served for more than a decade as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, where she led some of the most complex and consequential prosecutions in the country. As Chief of the Organized Crime and Gangs Section and Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Section, she oversaw investigations involving racketeering, public corruption, civil rights violations, and abuse of power by government officials. Her record demonstrates not only legal excellence, but courage—the willingness to pursue wrongdoing wherever the facts lead, regardless of the stature or influence of those involved. That is precisely the quality New Yorkers expect from the Commissioner of DOI.
Ms. Shihata’s nomination represents a historic moment. If confirmed, she would be the first Muslim to lead the Department of Investigation, and one of the few women to hold this critical oversight position. At a time when public trust in government depends on both integrity and inclusion, her nomination reflects the best of what this City can be.
It is therefore deeply troubling that her impartiality has been called into question based on routine political participation and prior professional interactions. Such assertions are not only unfounded—they are outrageous. Ms. Shihata’s career is defined by independence and the fearless pursuit of justice. She has prosecuted corruption within government itself. There is no credible basis to suggest that she would now abandon those principles.
Indeed, this moment raises a fair and necessary question: why is the impartiality of this nominee being scrutinized in a manner that prior nominees were not? New York City has a long history of appointing individuals to senior oversight roles who had far more extensive political and professional ties to the administrations that selected them. Those nominees were not subjected to the same skepticism. The disparate treatment here is difficult to ignore.
The Department of Investigation exists to ensure accountability, not to serve political interests. Ms. Shihata’s record shows that she understands that mission and has lived it throughout her career. There should be no doubt that she will bring the same rigor, independence, & integrity to DOI.
The City Council should evaluate this nomination based on qualifications, experience, and demonstrated commitment to impartiality. On those criteria, Nadia Shihata is eminently qualified and deserving of confirmation.
We urge the Council to confirm her nomination without delay.
The Muslim Bar Association of New York strongly supports the nomination of Nadia Shihata to serve as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation.
Ms. Shihata is, by any objective measure, exceptionally qualified for this role. She served for more than a decade as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, where she led some of the most complex and consequential prosecutions in the country. As Chief of the Organized Crime and Gangs Section and Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Section, she oversaw investigations involving racketeering, public corruption, civil rights violations, and abuse of power by government officials. Her record demonstrates not only legal excellence, but courage—the willingness to pursue wrongdoing wherever the facts lead, regardless of the stature or influence of those involved. That is precisely the quality New Yorkers expect from the Commissioner of DOI.
Ms. Shihata’s nomination represents a historic moment. If confirmed, she would be the first Muslim to lead the Department of Investigation, and one of the few women to hold this critical oversight position. At a time when public trust in government depends on both integrity and inclusion, her nomination reflects the best of what this City can be.
It is therefore deeply troubling that her impartiality has been called into question based on routine political participation and prior professional interactions. Such assertions are not only unfounded—they are outrageous. Ms. Shihata’s career is defined by independence and the fearless pursuit of justice. She has prosecuted corruption within government itself. There is no credible basis to suggest that she would now abandon those principles.
Indeed, this moment raises a fair and necessary question: why is the impartiality of this nominee being scrutinized in a manner that prior nominees were not? New York City has a long history of appointing individuals to senior oversight roles who had far more extensive political and professional ties to the administrations that selected them. Those nominees were not subjected to the same skepticism. The disparate treatment here is difficult to ignore.
The Department of Investigation exists to ensure accountability, not to serve political interests. Ms. Shihata’s record shows that she understands that mission and has lived it throughout her career. There should be no doubt that she will bring the same rigor, independence, & integrity to DOI.
The City Council should evaluate this nomination based on qualifications, experience, and demonstrated commitment to impartiality. On those criteria, Nadia Shihata is eminently qualified and deserving of confirmation.
We urge the Council to confirm her nomination without delay.
