This Is the Time to Support Moina Shaiq for Fremont School Board By Ras H. Siddiqui Fremont, California resident of 32 years, Moina Shaiq is running for a seat on the Fremont School Board in the local elections this November. Moina’s campaign is getting a great deal of local support and endorsements from prominent area residents and political figures (plus her husband who is supporting her 110%). And one can attribute this support to her many years of community service already performed. She has already served on the Alameda County Human Rights Commission, the Washington Hospital Foundation, Fremont Historical Architectural Review Board, actively participated in the Fremont 50 th Anniversary Celebration and the Tri-City Interfaith Council. With all this experience, she is certainly not entering this race without establishing her credentials first. On Sunday, September 21st, her campaign was given a boost as an afternoon fundraiser was held for at the Chandni Restaurant in Newark where her friends and supporters gathered to listen to her and to help in carrying her campaign forward. Prominent personalities amongst this group were Assemblymember Bill Quirk, former Fremont Mayor Gus Morrison, Dr Agha Saeed (AMA), retired City council member Judy Zlatnik and a real moving force in her campaign, Janice Gebhardt. After a customary invocation by Dr Rajabally, Hazem Kira showed a video presentation of Dr Saeed that highlighted the need for activism and called for fairness in a world traumatized by colonialism which needs to be confronted by avenues available within the democratic process. Former Mayor Gus Morrison in a short speech said that we want a better life for our children. He advised everyone to please write a check to Moina’s campaign which cannot run without resources. (Checks should be written Payable to “Moina Shaiq for Fremont School Board 2014”can be sent to the following address: 918 Boar Circle Fremont, CA 94539). Readers are encouraged to visit Moina’s campaign website for more information at http://www.moina4kids.com/ to get details about her candidacy. State Assemblymember Bill Quirk has not only endorsed Moina but he was himself present here to introduce her. He described her as a “very special person”, one who is the right one for this job. He also said that she was a very visible reminder of the diversity of the region. Moina Shaiq, in her short speech, highlighted the importance of education and her own experience in raising four children and in meeting their educational needs. She said that Fremont was faced with aging schools, limited space for children going to these schools impacted by area’s rapid population growth, school safety, the problem of bullying, and mental health support needs (to name a few here). She described her long years of community involvement which have prepared her to run for this office. She especially stressed that she was not running for this office on the basis of her national origin or religion but as an American. She said that we are here in America permanently now; this is our home, and we intend to be buried here someday. Judy Zlatnik and Dr Islam Siddiqui offered their words of support and Dr Rajabally conducted the short fundraiser. Moina’s Campaign Manager Janice Gebhardt offered more details about the effort which is entering its final and most critical phase. There are five candidates for two positions and one of them is an incumbent. Moina now also has the endorsement of Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. This is the time to support Moina Shaiq for Fremont School Board because she has demonstrated over many years that the community matters to her. Now it is for the community to demonstrate that she matters to it, by helping to fund her campaign and by volunteering to walk with her to get out the vote.