Archive for category: News

In these times, our hearts are heavy. We are a community in mourning. We have been in mourning for our allies as their communities have suffered the consequences of a racism that continues to be embedded in our social fabric. We are in mourning most recently for the crimes against our own community borne of that same racism that shows its face in the form of islamophobia against the innocence of a teenage girl during the holiest of months. When there should have been peace, there was instead violence. Where there should have been children, there is now tragedy. Our hearts grieve for Nabra Hassanen, who was murdered in Virginia on one of the last ten holy nights of Ramadan.

In times like this it’s easy to feel isolated. Fortunately, leaders in Congress have spoken out. As a community, we need to applaud Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock and Democratic Congressman Don Beyer. Immediately after this awful tragedy they released public statements and personally assured their Muslim American constituents about their commitment to support us.

Even if you are not from Virginia, we must applaud and thank our federal elected officials who have given their support. It’s crucial that our pain and our needs as a community are recognized as a first step to preventing tragedies like this in the future. Please take three minutes to send a quick note to thank our congressmen and congresswomen and ask that they encourage their fellow members of Congress to take a stand.

Here’s a sample thank you for you to start off with:

Dear Representative,

I am a Pakistani American (parent/teenager/recent college grad/etc) living in (HOMETOWN).

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to thank you for your leadership issuing a statement after the tragic death of Nabra Hassanen. This awful crime affected my family and me in a very personal way. Your words instantly and publicly denouncing this crime do make a difference. Please encourage your colleagues on Capitol Hill to engage with Muslim Americans.

We love this country and love the Constitution. We value the wisdom the great Virginian Thomas Jefferson who wrote, “I am for freedom of religion and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another.”

Thank you for your commitment to religious liberty and engaging with our community during these troubling times.

On Sunday afternoon, over 80 community leaders from across Central Ohio joined Congressman Mike Turner for an informative and memorable Grassroots Organizing Summit. The event was organized by PAKPAC board member Dr. Rao Kamran Ali and his wife, Saneela, in Mansfield.

In December 2015, just days after the tragedy in San Bernadino, PAKPAC began working with Congressman Turner, a Republican leader on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees.

PAKPAC works with key leaders in Congress who demonstrate a keen understanding of the nuances of national security and a willingness to advocate for Pakistani American concerns at the highest levels of Washington.

Congressman Turner eloquently summarized our work, “Your country needs you. You have an expertise that I need and my colleagues need.”

PAKPAC is committed to multi-generational leadership and is proud to announce the expansion of its Advisory Council to include talented young professionals from around the country.

PAKPAC believes that it is the responsibility of established diaspora organizations to provide the young professionals with opportunities to polish their skill sets which will allow them to become impactful leaders of tomorrow.

In a unique manner, PAKPAC has effectively created a platform for young professionals to truly take control of the decisions of the organization and in strategically planning for the future.

The PAKPAC board firmly believes that by including the young professionals in the organization’s strategy and leadership, it empowers them to have a voice in the very decisions of the community that affect them the most.

The young professionals are the face of our community, the heart of our community and the soul of our community.

Last night, over 40 Pakistani American leaders joined from over 15 states for an informative and inspirational discussion. Congressman Fitzpatrick is a proven Republican leader on the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees.

The Senator spoke eloquently from the heart why he believes the President’s recent Executive Order on immigration “misses the mark”. He also made clear that he is committed to bipartisanship and civility. Most importantly, he observed that in his first month in Congress, he already sees the importance of communities and interest groups staying organized and speaking in one unified voice.

This was organized by PAKPAC as a free public service for the community. PAKPAC endeavors to not only provide the community access to key policymakers – but influence! During these trying times, the community must stay professionally engaged in the political process. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and other key Democrats and Republicans are ready to be our champions.

After her first full month in Washington our new Senator Maggie Hassan joined my wife, Romana, and another Granite State Pakistani American couple, Tariq and Tanweer Rahman, for an informative and stimulating dinner discussion. She sits on the Homeland Security Committee and while we hoped to keep the discussion light, we could not help but turn to policy and politics.

Earlier in the month, Senator Hassan used her questions during the confirmation process of Secretary John Kelly to discuss ways the Department of Homeland Security can constructively engage Muslim Americans. She received a pledge from the new Secretary that he values the importance of this dialogue.

We also discussed how grateful we are that her senior Senator, Jeanne Shaheen, used her questioning during the confirmation hearing of Rex Tillerson his thoughts on a “Muslim ban” and “Muslim registry”. We are encouraged that our two Senators will embrace the Article 1 powers of the Constitution using maintaining checks and balances on the Executive Branch.

PAKPAC provides a platform where we can be advisers to our elected leaders. It is through PAKPAC that we not only have access, but that we have the most effective influence.

Congressman Joe Wilson, a South Carolina Republican leader on the Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees and Congresswoman Grace Meng a New York Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, joined over 75 Pakistani American leaders from across 15 states today. Community leaders gathered in Washington to welcome the new Congress in what has become a biennial tradition for PAKPAC. The inspiring day included a community town hall where we discussed how a PAC functions and policies we can expect in the year ahead. The night concluded with bipartisan Senators and Congressmen visiting with community leaders for dinner and inspirational words about the importance of activism in these uncertain times.