Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab US Community
    • Arab Stores Targeted
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
    • TwoGuys on Politics
  • Ray on Tiktok
  • Subscribe Ray’s Columns
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Hind Rajab, murdered by Israeli soldiers during the genocide in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy Wikipedia
    The Legacies of the Middle East in 2025 Are Likely to Repeat in 2026 Arab Center Washington DC
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    Challengers in Illinois’ 6th and 10th Congressional Districts Face Voters on The Lightning Strike Activism
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayoral candidate
    Mayor-Elect Mamdani Appoints Education Veteran Kamar Samuels as Schools Chancellor To Deliver Educational Excellence Civil Rights
  • Taybeh (Taibe) Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
    Taybeh exposes claims Christians are “treated better in Israel” than in Arab countries Arab World
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen
    ICYMI: Shaheen Secures Repeal of Caesar Act Sanctions on Syria in Annual Defense Bill Arab World
  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio violated International rule of law
    Secretary of State Rubio rebuffs Rule of Law and defends war crimes by Israel Human Rights
  • CAIR sues racist Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
    CAIR LDF, MLFA, SPLC and Akeel & Valentine Sue Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Over ‘Blatantly Unconstitutional’ Executive Order Activism
  • Halil Demir Zakat Foundation Executive Director
    Arab American Chamber of Commerce Honors Mr. Halil Demir for his Humanitarian Leadership Activism
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge receives the American Arab Chamber of Commerce Best of the Best Awards 2025 on Dec. 9, 2025
    Illinois Arab Chamber presents “Best of the Best” awards honoring community leaders and activists Activism
  • American Arab Chamber President Hassan Nijem presented Fayez Khosindar with the "Best of the Best" award for 2025 for defendign the rights od Limo and Uber Black Drivers
    Union leader Fayez Khozindar honored for defense of limo and Uber Black drivers O’Hare prayer tent Activism
  • CAIR Urges Congress to Demand Rep. Randy Fine's Resignation After His Call for a Genocide of All 'Mainstream Muslims'
    CAIR Urges Congress to Demand Rep. Randy Fine’s Resignation After His Call for a Genocide of All ‘Mainstream Muslims’ Activism
  • Racist xenophobic Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
    CAIR denounces defamatory namecalling of racist Ron DeSantis American Arabs
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    New Ninth District Poll Shows Abughazaleh Tied for First Place Activism
  • AHRCs Calls for Unity in the Face of Hatred: Dearborn is an All-American City American Arabs
  • Instragram Photo by former employee protestor https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRNrg2gkZHS/
    Microsoft worker disrupts Ignite Conference keynote speech, protests target conference venue in San Francisco, Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Microsoft European hub in Ireland Civil Rights
Alderman Pawar Speaking at the Dedication of Honorary Lee Sandlin Way. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Muslim candidates running for offices in Chicago and Suburbs

Posted on February 13, 2019June 12, 2019 By rayhanania No Comments on Muslim candidates running for offices in Chicago and Suburbs
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns

Muslim candidates running for offices in Chicago and Suburbs

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.”

Alderman Pawar Speaking at the Dedication of Honorary Lee Sandlin Way. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Alderman Pawar Speaking at the Dedication of Honorary Lee Sandlin Way. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

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

We have several candidates running from our IL Muslim community. Please reach out and learn more!
February 26th Elections:
Zehra Quadri, Chicago 50th Ward Alderman
Contact Number: 224-428-5291
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Zehrafor50thWard/
April Elections:
Bushra Amiwala, District 73.5 School Board (Skokie)
Contact Number: 224-200-9243  Website: www.amiwala2018.com
Mohammed Faheem, Plainfield Village Board Trustee
Contact Number: 630-345-0202    Website: www.trustfaheem.com
Nagla Fetouh, District 86 School Board (Hinsdale)
Contact Number: 248-83-55004   Website: www.d86educationfirst.org
Saud Gazanfer, Bolingbrook Park District Commissioner
Contact Number: 630-346-7040   Website: https://bolingbrookunited.com/
Ajaz Gill, Bolingbrook Village Board Trustee
Contact Number: 630-965-6955    Website: https://bolingbrookunited.com/
‬
Nazneen Hashmi, District 509 Elgin Community College Board of Trustee
Contact Number: 312-498-8387
Website: https://www.facebook.com/NazneenHashmi4ECC/
Asad A Khan, Poplar Creek Public Library Trustee (Streamwood)
Contact Number: 630-747-7869
Zubair Khan, District 15 School Board (Palatine)
Contact Number: 312-545-7179    Website: https://www.ccsd15.net/Page/1027
Nashra Mohammed, District 219 School Board (Niles Township)
Contact Number: 312-982-1038 Website: https://www.facebook.com/votefornashra/
Rahaf Othman, District 140 Kirby School Board (Orland Township)
Contact Number: 708-790-6828
Nafees Rahman, Schaumburg Village President
Contact Number: 630-854-0262 Website: https://www.citizensfornafees.com/
Sara Sadat, Lisle Village Trustee
Contact Number: 630-991-7700   Campaign Website: https://www.votesarasadat.com/
Itedal Shalabi, District 117 School Board (Bridgeview)
Contact Number: 708-289-6093

Click to get Info
  • About
  • Latest Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

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 [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Israelisnipers shooting and killing hospital workers in Gaza - December 11, 2023
  • CAIR Condemns Israeli Executions of Wounded, Unarmed Palestinian in West Bank   - December 11, 2023
  • Arab and Muslim American voters face a “simple choice” between Biden’s inhumanity and Trump’s edgy politics - December 9, 2023
NVP: 100

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Election, mainstream, News, Politics Tags:Ameya Pawar, Chicago, Chicago alderman, Chicago Treasurer, elections, Islam, Muslim candidates, Muslims, suburbs, voting

Post navigation

Previous Post: Whats the American Muslim Agenda?
Next Post: Martyred Valentines and Evolutionary Love  

Related Posts

  • Radio antenna towers Sandia Peak wikipedia
    The Power of Our Human Voice, from Marconi to Woods Hole, MA. American Arabs
  • 2018 Know Thy Heritage program flyer for U.S. students to visit Palestine
    Know Thy Heritage opens applications for July 15, 2018 American Arabs
  • International CANNABIS EXPO and the U.S. Israel Cannabis Connection American Arabs
  • FX TV’s Tyrant Offensive On Many Levels American Arabs
  • AHRC expresses serious concern regarding case of Palestinian-American activist Rasmea Odeh Activism
  • Senator Frances Black, one of the 2018 AAI Spirit of Humanities Award recipients
    American Civil Liberties Union to receive top national Arab American award Activism

More Related Articles

Palestinian women display handcrafts at heritage exhibit in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy of Mohammed Asad. All RightS Reserved. Permission granted to republish with attribution to the author Photos: Exhibit features women’s crafts in Gaza Arab World
Podcast: Sir Rateb Rabie on Middle East Christians American Arabs
Suzan Bushnaq's works are now mounted in Palestine Museum US. Based in Kuwait, Bushaq uses vibrant color and an impressionistic approach to express the multifaceted vitality of women. Palestinian Museum opens in New Haven American Arabs
Reminder Arabs forgotten even in Obama era American Arabs
Palestinians urge Oscars reject Israel trip swag American Arabs
Anti-Muslim racism drives anti-EU push Abdennour Toumi

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Ray Hanania's 4 times a week columns at https://RayHanania.com at Substack

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Arab Center Washington DC
    Arab Center Analysis: Israel’s declining support among American Evangelicals 
    January 1, 2026
  • Akram Baker
    Akram Baker remembered, worked at Orient House in Jerusalem with the late Faisal Husseini
    December 12, 2025
  • 10-01-25 Arab Center Web Ad 300x300
    The CMCC and the US-Israel Alliance: Collusion or Enforcement Mechanism?
    December 5, 2025
  • Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
    Construction in the E1 Area: Preventing Palestinian Geographical Contiguity
    October 27, 2025
  • Netflix Mo Series courtesy of Wikipedia
    Mo Amer’s “Mo” on Netflix is more than just a great comedy series
    September 6, 2025

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

The Lightning Strike Radio Sun 8-10 AM

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show
Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show
  • NEWS
  • Hind Rajab, murdered by Israeli soldiers during the genocide in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy Wikipedia
    The Legacies of the Middle East in 2025 Are Likely to Repeat in 2026
    January 8, 2026
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    Challengers in Illinois’ 6th and 10th Congressional Districts Face Voters on The Lightning Strike
    January 6, 2026
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayoral candidate
    Mayor-Elect Mamdani Appoints Education Veteran Kamar Samuels as Schools Chancellor To Deliver Educational Excellence
    December 31, 2025
  • Taybeh (Taibe) Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
    Taybeh exposes claims Christians are “treated better in Israel” than in Arab countries
    December 31, 2025
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen
    ICYMI: Shaheen Secures Repeal of Caesar Act Sanctions on Syria in Annual Defense Bill
    December 19, 2025
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Hind Rajab, murdered by Israeli soldiers during the genocide in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy Wikipedia
    The Legacies of the Middle East in 2025 Are Likely to Repeat in 2026
    January 8, 2026
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    Challengers in Illinois’ 6th and 10th Congressional Districts Face Voters on The Lightning Strike
    January 6, 2026
  • Arab Center Washington DC
    Arab Center Analysis: Israel’s declining support among American Evangelicals 
    January 1, 2026
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayoral candidate
    Mayor-Elect Mamdani Appoints Education Veteran Kamar Samuels as Schools Chancellor To Deliver Educational Excellence
    December 31, 2025

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2026 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme