The Story behind the First Hijabi Elected Official in Maryland | Raaheela Ahmed

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Al Ansary Podcast: Mahmoud Elansary and Board Member Raheela Ahmed discuss Raheela's childhood and what led her to where she is today as a Muslim woman in America. They discuss the difficulties her immigrant father went through and the obstacles she had to face to become the first hijabi elected official in Maryland. They discuss how they personally deal with "Islamophobia" and what it is like being in public office.

#hijabi #politician #muslim

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"A Muslim-American woman, whose parents are from India and Pakistan, has won a key local election in the US state of Maryland which was dominated by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Raaheela Ahmed, 23, won the school board race in Prince George’s county of Maryland by defeating a long-time system administrator by an impressive 15 per cent vote difference.

She had unsuccessfully run for this position four years ago in 2012. Her father is from India and mother from Pakistan. Her victory gains significance as her district has 80 per cent of African-American population.

She was endorsed by the former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steel.

“It’s interesting that on the same day Donald Trump was elected as president of the US, I as a hijabi Muslim young woman was also elected to serve in a public office. I think that speaks volumes about the diversity of American opinion, and that American dream is still well and alive,” Ahmed said."