APPAC Chairman Asks Community to BuildBipartisan Consensus
By Aijaz Khokhar
New Jersey: Following his meeting with three leading Republican Senators, APPAC Board of Directors Chairman DrIjaz Ahmad has realized the importance of first-hand “reaching across the aisle” rapport in promoting greater understanding and inclusiveness. “I had the honor of speaking with elected officials that, to be perfectly honest, don’t always come down on the same side of issues as I do. I saw that even though we often disagree over public policy, we could still meet and engage in positive civil discourse.”
Dr Ahmad met with Senators Graham (R.SC), Alexander (R. TN), and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R. KY). “I was able to understand better, after personally meeting with these Senators, that while they may view what constitutes good public policy different than I do, they still approach the world in the same manner as many of my friends in the Pakistani-American community do. These Senators believe that America needs to embrace greater diversity, promote economic opportunity, and ensure that the collective safety of all American citizens is the center of all foreign policy decisions. We may disagree over what policies will most effectively bring these hopes into reality, however, we agree that these ideals must be the motivating factors for everything we do in efforts to promote the well-being of American citizens.”
Chairman Ahmad noticed that “so often community leaders, activists, and elected officials fail to understand what those with differing opinions are actually saying. When we stop and listen to each other, it’s incredible how much in common we actually have and how much work can be done if we start by talking with one another.”
Chairman Ahmad is excited to see what the future holds for bipartisan legislation in the coming years. “I believe that bipartisanship is not something one person or one organization alone can accomplish. It requires communities to come together and work collectively to reach out to those on the opposing sides of an argument, ideology, or value system. As a Pakistani American I experienced first-hand, and know that the majority of the Pakistani American community has experienced, the many amazing opportunities offered to us when we came to the United States. It’s my hope that Pakistani Americans can serve as leaders of bipartisan consensus-building as we move forward. Pakistanis are inherently leaders and I firmly believe we can lead in this matter.”
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