Elections of Suleman Lalani and Salman Bhojani to Texas House come as a record-breaking...
SUGAR LAND — As early voting began this year, Democratic Texas House candidate Dr. Suleman Lalani wasn’t facing attacks from his opponent's campaign based on his politics or policy preferences, norRepublican Dan Mathews' campaign touted his service as a"Christian minister" in an automated text message that many Fort Bend County voters received, calling for them to stop Lalani from becoming"the First MUSLIM" in Texas state government.
In January, Bhojani will be the first person of color to represent the state's largest urban county that's still Republican. “It’s a very proud moment,” Lalani said. “Obviously our South Asian and Muslim communities are very excited because this is the first time they will get the representation. They have always felt left out in a way.”
He now lives with his wife, Zakia, his 13-year-old son and his parents in Sugar Land. They also have two sons who are 23 and 25.been slow to get involved in politics in part because they're discouraged by a lack of representation, but also because many lack awareness about how to participate and who’s on the ballot.
Lalani's campaign also worked with Impact, a nonprofit that works to mobilize, engage and elect South Asian Americans, to identify South Asian voters. The group’s Texas state director, Rish Oberoi, happened to be one of Lalani’s primary opponents in 2020 but gladly agreed to help his campaign this year.
In 2007, Hafizi recalled, the first-ever prayer was delivered in the Texas Senate by a Muslim cleric. Dan Patrick, who was a senator at the time and is now lieutenant governor,“It’s just going to be incredible for members of our community to see not one but two members sworn in with a Quran, in a place that’s not known for being extra welcoming to Muslims,” Hafizi said.
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