halim dhanidina spends much of the weekend with his children. but on working days, dhanidina wields great authority over e.her people's lives and families as a ju and he carries an uncommon distinction in america's courtrooms. he's a muslim. one of very few among this country's judges. >> i've been faced with people who woulmake ignorant or bigoted comments. and it was just something that you learn to deal with. it's very easy for people to say, to imagine what horrible things would hpen if a muslim is a judge, if there aren't any muslim judges. by providing what i'm hoping iso terexample, it sort of demystifies the subject. >> reporter: america's most senior judge professing the faith of islam had a substantial career in the california state court system, progressing topo more elevatetions over time, and ending up here, sitting on the state court of appeal. dhanidina was born in chicago to gujarati parents from the indian subcontinent who'd already migrated to east africa before coming to america. he attended college in california, gaining his l