Senator Deborah Ortiz
Fundraiser in Sacramento
By Ras H. Siddiqui
Senator
Deborah Ortiz |
For those who have not
read their Sample Ballots here in California, Primary Elections
are just around the corner. Two Democratic Party candidates
are vying for the Secretary of State slot. Both are currently
State Senators and have similar first names. Senators Deborah
Ortiz and Debra Bowen are on the ballot for the June Primary.
Only one will reach the November elections to face off against
a Republican and/or third party candidate. And both of them
will surely need California’s huge minority vote to
get there.
Senator Deborah V. Ortiz has been close to Sacramento’s
mainstream and minority politics for quite some time now.
In keeping with the concerns of the latter, she has been
a good friend of a number of prominent individuals in the
local Arab, Asian, Hispanic Indian, Iranian and Pakistani-American
communities. So it was not a surprise that people from within
Sacramento’s Muslims held a fundraiser for her recently
to show their support. California’s minority voters
know that two State Senators, namely Deborah Ortiz and Liz
Figueroa (currently running for Lieutenant Governor), have
been instrumental in having their voice heard in Sacramento
for a number of years now. And Pakistan Link is happy to
have been reporting on their work and progress over the
years.
At this particular fundraiser held at the Capital Plaza
Ballroom on 9th Street on May 24, our community was helping
a friend who has seen the difficulties faced by American
Muslims in the past few years. Senator Deborah Ortiz has
understood the fact that we are as much a part of America
as any other emerging minority (like her grandparent’s
generation). She hosted the first Eid ul Fitr celebration
at the California State Capitol in 2001, co-sponsored a
community Ramadan Iftar at the same venue, provided internships
for our youth, has been a recipient of the local CAIR Service
Award in 2004, and remains a strong supporter of immigrant
rights and of legislation in support of civil rights for
all Americans. She has helped many other ethnic and religious
groups during her years in office. And it is no surprise
that they are helping her now.
Senator
Deborah Ortiz flanked by community members |
Led by sponsors Rashid
Ahmad, Bashir Choudry, Mr. Hassoun. Kais Menoufy, Moe Mohanna
and Dr. Pasha and hosts Professor Metwalli Amer, Haseeb
Rana, Javad and Majid Rahimian, Dr. Seyal, Javed Iqbal,
Farouk Fakira, Dr. Hamza El Nakhal, Mahmoud Sharif, Rashed
Rashed, Parlin Development, Tariq Munir and T. Sami Siddiqui
along with others, the evening turned out to be like a meeting
of friends.
Starting the formalities Sister Maren Shawesh invited Imam
Abdel Azeez from SALAM to begin the event with a recitation
from the Holy Qur’an. Host Moe Mohanna warmly welcomed
Senator Ortiz and Mr. Hassoun followed along with Kais Menoufy,
Tanya Syed thanking the Senator for the support she has
shown for us over the years. Sami Siddiqui introduced her
and invited her to speak.
Senator Ortiz thanked everyone for coming. She recalled
for us the many reasons why she chose to join the political
process. She spoke of why honoring the faith of others is
important and that she was honored to have been a part of
our community during its difficult times. “We ought
to be instilling faith in the democratic process,”
she said. “This evening has inspired me,” she
continued. She spoke of youth like Tanya and the future.
“This is going to be an interesting primary,”
she said. “I offer a model for tomorrow’s California,”
she added. “God willing (Inshallah), I will make it
through.”
Prominent
community members at the fundraiser |
Rashid Ahmad made the
closing remarks and Naeem Syed along with Tamer Ahmed spoke
briefly in support of Senator Ortiz.
In conclusion, it is
great to see the political process being supported and exercised
here in America by all, including the incredible diversity
that it encompasses. Here we have Senator Deborah Ortiz,
a minority candidate for Secretary of State in California,
being supported by several minorities including California
Muslims. Salad bowl or melting pot, this is what makes us
Americans proud. And with people like Senator Ortiz in high
profile roles, tomorrow’s California will be a better
and more hopeful place for us all.
Don’t forget to vote!
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