Chicago Roundup
Massive Asian-American Gathering Listens to Mayoral Candidates . Memon Business Community Supports “I dream of Falafel” . Bazm e Sukhan’s February Meeting Condoles Deaths of Raghib Muradabadi, Talib Khundmiri, Muzzafar Warsi and Wife of Niaz Gulbergvi . Maulana Ehteramul Haq Thanvi Visits Chicago
By Dr Mujahid Ghazi
Massive Asian-American Gathering Listens to Mayoral Candidates
“Even though 79% of eligible Asian Americans are registered to vote, the community is often forgotten when public policy decisions are made. Our coalition wants to make sure that the mayoral candidates understand the need of our community and recognize that we have the ability to be a deciding factor in this election,” said Tuyet Le, Executive Director of Asian American Institute, which along with other Asian American organizations, organized the Mayoral Candidate Forum at St. Augustine College in Chicago’s Uptown community.
More than thousand Asian Americans gathered on a chilly Chicago night to listen to the Mayoral candidates and express their concern on various issues faced by the residents of the city. .
Community members offered testimony and highlighted six public policy priorities including: public safety, community development, small business, affirmative action, education and redistricting. Community members questioned whether their communities were receiving a fair share of city service and support.
Questions were asked by the representatives from various factions of the community and were answered appropriately by the candidates. Out of the five candidates four were present. An empty chair with a poster which exhibited Rahm’s name and question mark expressed a protest for his deliberate absence from the forum. Patricia Watkins, Miguel Del Valle, Carol Mosley Braun, and Gery Chico were again and again applauded by the audience. Almost all the four candidates talked about inclusiveness of all the minorities, better governance, better school system and accountability and justice.
It was a very historic meeting. One of its kind. PAVE (Pan Asian Voters’ Empowerment) and AAI (Asian American Institute) must be commended for this great show of unity and empowerment.
Memon Business Community Supports “I dream of Falafel”
A large number of members from the Memon business community gathered in one of the three locations of “I dream of falafel” in downtown Chicago to support the initiation of this franchise launched by one of their own.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Rafiq Mota said that not only the Memon community but the whole Chicago land is proud of this new franchise fast food chain. The beautiful and colorful décor of these restaurants were matched with the Mediterranean food they serve. Every thing is 100% Zabiha Halal.
Bazm e Sukhan’s February Meeting Condoles Deaths of Raghib Muradabadi, Talib Khundmiri, Muzzafar Warsi and Wife of Niaz Gulbergvi
The monthly Shaeri Nashist of Bazm e Sukhan was held last Sunday at Zam’s Hope. Beside the usual Mushaira, condolence prayers were offered for the great poets Raghib Muradabadi, Talib Khundmiri and Muzzafar Warsi. Prayers were also offered for Niaz Gubergvi’s wife.
Maulana Ehteramul Haq Thanvi Visits Chicago
Maulana Ehteramul Haq Thanvi visited Chicago last week. During his stay he addressed various congregations and meetings. He especially met Dr. Abidullah Ghazi of IQRA’ International Educational Foundation and discussed the possibility of starting an academy after the great Sheikh Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi.
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