Pawar gets endorsement of new Muslims group for Chicago Treasurer
New Muslim Political Organization makes its first endorsements in Chicago City-Wide Elections: Ameya Pawar for City Treasurer and Anna Valencia for City Clerk. The Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition also released its list of Muslims running for office in Chicago and the Chicagoland suburbs
Today, on the first day of early voting, the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition-Activate made its first set of endorsements for the Chicago City elections. The organization is a 501c4-status organization in Illinois founded by the Muslim community to participate fully and strategically in the political process.
“We are proud to endorse two candidates for city-wide office in Chicago who stand with the Muslim community, and all diverse communities across our city.” said Executive Director Reema Kamran. The IL Muslim Civic Coalition-Activate is endorsing Ameya Pawar for City Treasurer and Anna Valencia for City Clerk.
“Mr. Pawar has impressed us with his track record as alderman and with the bold, progressive ideas he would bring to the City Treasurer’s office” said Ms. Kamran. “Representation matters; Mr. Pawar is also proudly of South Asian heritage, an underrepresented community in city government.”
The Coalition-Activate also endorsed Ms. Valencia for City Clerk, stating “Anna Valencia has taken the time and effort to understand the contributions and needs of our dynamic and diverse Muslim community in Chicago.” said Board Member Mehrdad Azemun. Ms. Valencia recently joined the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition for a half-day “Engage and Impact” tour that built lasting relationships between her office and Muslim social, business, and civic organizations.
Both candidates filled out the Coalition-Activate’s endorsement questionnaire, which was reviewed by the organization’s endorsement committee and board. This is a key election cycle in Chicago with an open seat for mayor and many contested Wards. Coalition-Activate will be announcing other key endorsements across the city and state in the weeks to come.
“Our organization and our agenda is focused on the issues that our core values and faith call us to support: affordable housing, public education and social justice” states Ms. Kamran. “Naturally we are concerned about the use of public resources for surveillance of Muslim communities – and, we are residents and neighbors in a city facing escalating violence. Our agenda focuses on the root causes of those issues.”
LIST OF MUSLIM CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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