Meru Sikder : New York
The Muslim community is growing day by day in the United States. The number of Muslims is increasing in every state. To sustain in the ongoing circumstances of American and global politics, the Muslim community needs to stand united and engage with mainstream politics. There is no alternative to exercising our voting rights. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar emphasized these points at a fundraising event held in New York.
Among the elected US Congress members from Minnesota state, Ilhan Omar is one of the notable figures. The fundraising event took place on Saturday evening, February 3, at Jamaica Al Mamur School. The event was organized by well-known community figure and prominent real estate businessman Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan and Aftab Mannan. The fundraising segment of the event, chaired by Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan and Jamaica Al Mamur School student Janaila Kashari, was conducted under the chairmanship of the host committee chair, Mohammad Wahidur Rahman.
For this reason, the controversial Muslim female congresswoman of the US Congress was the medium of the event. She attended the event in a very simple attire. She spoke openly before and after the main event and exchanged greetings with prominent members of the community. It is noteworthy that representatives from Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities, along with various Muslim communities, participated in the event. It has been learned from reliable sources that around $75,000 was raised from this fundraising event.
In addition to Ilhan Omar, other notable attendees at the event included Joheran Mamdani, New York State Assemblyman, Dr. Nazmul H. Khan, Chairman of the Trustee Board of Jamaica Muslim Center (JMC), Habib Uddin Ahmed, Co-Chairman, Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, President of JMC, Tanvir Ahmed, President of Five Towns Masjid in Nassau County, Tariqur Rahman, President of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Dr. Mohammad Wahidur Rahman, President of New York Muslim Transformers, Dr. Zakir Sabir, Secretary of JMC Steering Committee, Aftab Mannan, prominent businessman and politician, Gias Ahmed, President of Immigrant Elder Home Care, and others.
During the event, Ilhan Omar firmly stated, “I speak the truth for Muslims, and for this, millions of dollars are being spent to conspire against me. Especially, Republican members are conspiring against me. All Muslim communities must stand united to combat the conspiracies against us. If we cannot engage with mainstream politics, there is no way we can secure the legitimate rights of Muslims. New generations born and raised in this country must participate in mainstream politics.”
Regarding the Gaza issue, she said, “When Hamas launched attacks on Israel, we condemned those attacks, but month after month, when Israel attacks innocent Palestinians, we only condemn it with mere words, while others remain silent. Instead, they are making every effort to support Israel financially. This is unacceptable.”
