Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib in Sacramento
By Ras H. Siddiqui
February 4, 2024, was possibly the stormiest day in recent Sacramento history as 70 miles an hour winds hit California’s Capital City with full force. It was also the same day that Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American woman ever elected to the US Congress, arrived here for community engagements, a fundraiser, and a very warm welcome.
The initial plan was to have her address an outdoor public protest rally sponsored by various organizations in the downtown area at the intersection of 16th and J Street outside the historic Memorial Auditorium starting at around noon, but due to the extreme weather it (thankfully) ended up being a smaller affair at a local restaurant. And the later full house event at The Grand Ballroom venue made up for any earlier deficits.
The late afternoon to evening program was hosted by the CAIR-CA PAC (Political Action Committee) and the pillars of the Sacramento Valley Muslim and Palestinian Community It also turned out to be a grand affair with many of the “Who’s who” of our community in attendance. A handful of members from a local Jewish group also made it there. A light lunch-dinner was served first. The co-emcees for the evening Anas Jibrini and Hiba Hamdan did a great job coordinating the activities and deserved kudos.
The first person invited to the stage to speak was Yasser Dahbour who has become a leading voice for the Palestinian and Arab American community in the area. Yasser pointed out that the level of interest in our community has increased exponentially since his activism started 30 years ago with just a handful of people trying to be heard. He did add that our people were initially reluctant to get involved because they came from countries where freedom of expression was suppressed. And it took some time for them to get used to expressing themselves politically in a more open society here (in America). Thank goodness for our young people, he added. Things have changed a lot.
Since this was a CAIR-CA PAC event it was important to hear from two young people who have either aspired to, or are running for, elected office in the Sacramento area. The first speaker was Amir Khan who ran in a special election for the Natomas Unified School District Area 4 Board of Trustees in November 2023 and lost by just 26 votes (reported tally 561 to 535). If only more people from our community had taken the time to vote, he would have won! Besides his other qualifications Amir is a veteran, and former US Army paratrooper and instructor. And he is destined to be back in the election game in the future. Amir said that he had been inspired by Dr Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and the entire Civil Rights Movement and spoke of the necessity which drove that movement. This is also what our community is doing now. On getting elected he said that every dollar, door knock, call, yard sign, and opportunity to advocate matters. On the upcoming elections here in California he said that the ballots are in the mail, and we are free to choose who we vote for or not vote for but that not turning in the ballot is not a choice anymore. Certainly, words of wisdom.
The next speaker was Hla Elkhatib who is running for the Folsom City Council, District 2 seat. The City of Folsom in eastern Sacramento County is a high-tech hub with a very diverse population. Hla is a proud Palestinian American, a lifelong Folsom resident, graduate of Folsom High School and Folsom Lake College, and from neighboring UC Davis. Our readers are invited to access her website ( https://www.hlaelkhatib.com/ ) and find out more about her and contribute to her campaign. She said that it was an honor for her to be in the same room as Congresswoman Tlaib. Hla added that the Palestinian community’s suffering this past year especially has increased its sense of betrayal and hopelessness. But she added that there is no hopelessness allowed! Participation in politics even at the local level is essential. She appreciated the hands-on experience that she had gained while working with CAIR and credited Congresswoman Tlaib for inspiring her to run for office. Hla is a fine communicator and would be an asset to the Folsom City Council.
CAIR-Sacramento Valley/Central California Executive Director Basim Elkarra, who has been a major political voice of our community for about two decades, also spoke. Brother Basim’s family is from Gaza, and it is with deep sadness that we report here that he has already lost over 70 relatives to Israel’s assault there since October 2023. Basim said that things are different this time, this time they have woken up a sleeping giant! Everyone is talking about Muslims in the battleground states (in the upcoming elections). He said that they know that we are in those states, and we have the numbers to impact the outcome. He added that CAIR-CA PAC started in 2004 and it took Gaza to wake up the community around the country where it is now going national. He said that Muslims are stepping up and introduced some local change makers present along with members of the community who made this event possible.
Basim also introduced Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib to our local community (including this writer) in 2018 before she first ran for the US Congress and won. Little did we know (possibly including Rashida herself) how important her role would become one day as the voice of not only her district but also the Palestinian people in what has been described as the most powerful legislative body in the world.
Congresswoman Tlaib was amongst friends here and thanked them for supporting her once again. She spoke about the close familial ties amongst Palestinians which are a joy for us on the outside to see and hear about. She also spoke about her own family and its roots in Palestine and being one of 14 kids (MA) making her best prepared for public office and learning early in life not to fear speaking to large audiences! Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Rashida shared her deep sense of caring for her district and the voters there. An anecdote that she also shared was when going out to meet the public in her district she was asked where her family was from. She said I am Palestinian and received the reply, oh yeah, my doctor is from Pakistan! She pointed out that all doctors here need to be good to their patients because it helps us all.
Congresswoman Tlaib spoke on a whole range of topics, from Detroit to Palestine at this event which cannot all be condensed in one article, but one important point she made needs to be highlighted. She urged our entire community to show up in support of others (minorities and other groups) when they need our help. We cannot be self-centered. Alliances are essential. The legitimate causes of other people where we live need to be supported by us.
On Palestine, she said that as a Palestinian on the House Floor, her mere existence is a form of resistance. Talking of a free Palestine should not be controversial. From Detroit to Gaza, water is a human right. On the current situation in Gaza, she broke down and there were many accompanying tears in the audience.
The fundraiser that followed was conducted by Rasha Mubarak, a young lady who does not mince words. She said that people like Rashida are like unicorns in Congress and that the pain that we all feel today needs to be translated and organized into power. Rasha was assisted by Br Basim Elkarra in this fundraising effort.
To conclude, mainstream America and its centers of power should consider Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib an asset to this country. The Democrats could use her help this year, especially if they want to better their chances at winning the Presidency again. The present disappointment amongst Arab American and Muslim voters is not going to help. For that to change, President Biden will need to pull a peace rabbit out of a hat on Gaza long before November and do what is right. And Congresswoman Tlaib could help. Otherwise, unless the courts disqualify him, the handling of this new phase of the Israel-Palestine conflict increases the possibility of another Trump Presidency.
(Readers can donate to assist Congresswoman Tlaib get re-elected through this link: https://rashidaforcongress.com/ if they meet the criteria listed in the contribution rules)
