Dawn of a New Era for Pakistani American Democrats
By Link Staff Reporter
Pictures by Anwar Khawaja
Fullerton, CA: Pakistani Americans from Orange County made history when they inaugurated the first ever Pakistani American Club under the Democratic Party of OC when hundreds of Pakistanis gathered at Tikka Guys in Fullerton at the kickoff event on July 22 nd, 2021.
Pakistanis registered as Democrats in huge numbers to help elect Joe Biden as the President. After the elections, much of the momentum died down and many Pakistanis were looking for their political place in the Party.
“I was asked by Pakistanis and Pakistani Americans from LA, DC to Islamabad why Pakistan don’t have a stronger presence in the Democratic Party,” said Anila Ali, twice elected Democratic delegate for Obama and Hillary and an ex-officio and presently a member DC Democrats, ethnic and religious caucus.
Ali teamed up with four leading Democrats in the OC, Arif Mansuri, Rana Syed, Faisal Jamil, and Bushra Mateen and with advice and direction from Deborah Cunnigham-Skurnik, Reginal Chair of the Democratic Party, the executive leadership was formed to help Pakistani Americans have their own platform where they can feel represented and included. Understanding that grassroots organizing requires a long-term commitment, the executive team will be working on a strategy to unite Pakistani American Democrats. “Our club will welcome all people. It will be a club that unites people,” said Arif Mansuri, Club Chair.
“We believe the time now has come for Pakistani Americans to make our great impact in our government. This country has given us so much. But citizenship is a two-way street and we must give back,” said Bushra Mateen, a Pakistani American teacher and advocate for women. This event inaugurates the first ever organization dedicated to the advancement of Pakistani Americans.
Rana Syed, the vice chair, emphasized that she wants to work hard so that one day soon we can elect a Pakistani American and send them to the White House. “We need to work hard and work in unity with other communities to get our people elected. We need to stand proud and advocate for Pakistani American issues. My passion is my language Urdu and I want our language to be recognized as well,” explained Rana Syed.
The Club’s treasurer, Faisal Jamil, said. “When Anila Ali reached out to me a few weeks ago about starting the first ever democratic club for Pakistanis, I was sold right away. Unfortunately, we as Pakistani Americans do not get involved in American politics as much as we are in Pakistani politics. Pakistani Americans need to join us so that we have a voice in the party. This will help us advocate for policies and push for agendas that we care most about.”
Ali Sajjad Taj, former mayor of Artesia and a city council member, told the audience, “You are part of history today. Organizing is critical for us, if we are to take ourselves to the next level. The more Democrats we register, the more we win. United we stand, divided we fall.”
The event heralded the dawn of a new era for Pakistani American Democrats. Deborah Cunningham-Skurnik, the regional director of the party, reminded Pakistanis of the importance of grassroots activism and that is the way to leverage political power, impact policies, and advocate for your community. The community overwhelmingly agreed to unite under one banner and work hard to get Pakistani Americans elected. Jamal Khawaja pledged to start the LA Dem Club and Tasneem Rehmani pledged to start the San Diego Pakistani Democratic Club.
