Michigan's First Muslim Woman State Lawmaker

By Mukhtar A. Khan, IOL Correspondent

"Like many other immigrant Americans, my family too had an American
Dream and today it got materialized," proud Tlaib told IOL. WASHINGTON
— Rashida Tlaib, 32, has made history by grabbing a seat in the
Michigan legislature, becoming the first Muslim woman ever to serve in
the state legislature.

"Allah had chosen me for this job which I did not know before," Tlaib,
the eldest daughter of Palestinian immigrant parents, told
IslamOnline.net in an exclusive interview.

Tlaib, a lawyer and community activist who had never thought of coming
into politics, easily won a seat in Michigan House of representatives
on November 4, the day of the historic White House elections.
She defeated her Republican opponent by a 9 to 1 margin in her
southwest Detroit district, largely populated by blacks and Hispanics.
"My parents had taught me the importance of hard work, honesty and
commitment. And those values today paid me in the form of being
electing to the prestigious position of Michigan State Legislature,
representing a diverse community of Latino, African American and
Arabs," Tlaib said proudly.
Born in Michigan, she is the eldest of her 13 siblings of Palestinian
parents who migrated to the US in the early 1970s.
Her father was born in Beit Hanina, a suburb of Al-Quds, while her
mother was raised in Beit Ur El Foka, near the West Bank city of
Ramallah.
"I had to take care of all of younger brothers and sisters because I
was the first in my family to have earned a high school degree," she
recalls.
"It was a tough task to continue my studies while working full-time."
She also feels indebted to outgoing Democratic Rep. Steve Tobocman,
the majority floor leader.

"I would have never been here today, if my Jewish boss and predecessor
Steve Tobocman had not encouraged me to venture into politics," he
said.
"I got my inspiration from Tobocman who insisted that I must take part
in the elections."
Tobocman had recruited Tlaib years ago to serve as part of his House
staff in recognition of her passion for social justice and ability to
work with people across the political aisle.
He encouraged her to run for his seat because he could not couldn't
seek re-election over term limits.

Myths
Tlaib, who earned her political science bachelor degree in 1998 and
law degree in 2004, believes her election to the State Legislature
debunks many myths.
"There was a lot of propaganda against me in some of the local press
that she is a Muslim extremist and that her election to the state
legislature will send negative signals and that she will work only for
the rights of Muslim community," she remembers.
"But I didn't care and never attacked any of my seven opponents. I
just kept working work. I campaigned door-to-door, and I think it was
my aggressive door-knocking campaign of around 8000 families that paid
me back a lot."
Tlaib said the voters were interested in her commitment for the social
service and not to her religious or ethnic background.
"There were only 2 percent Arab Muslims in my constituency. Majority
of the voters were Latino who made 40 percent and African Americans
who were 25 percent," she explained.
"But ninety percent of them voted me, which is a great signal of
optimism for American Muslims.
"If any Muslim or even a woman want to achieve something, she needs
only a hard work and honesty."
According to the American Muslim Alliance, only nine Muslims were
serving in state legislatures nationwide before Tuesday's elections.
Tlaib insists that as a Democratic Representative for Michigan State
Legislature, she will be pursuing policy change in the larger interest
of the community.
"As a lawyer and social activist, I was already working for social
justice, immigrant and civil rights for people in the Southwest
Detroit."
She used to provide social and advocacy services to thousands of
Southwest Detroit families through the Latin Americans for Social &
Economic Development (LASED), the Arab Community Center for Economic &
Social Services (ACCESS), the International Institute of Metro Detroit
and the Neighborhood Tax Center.

Proud Muslim

Tlaib was elected in a largely black and Hispanic Detroit district.
Tlaib is a mother of three-year-old Adam.
Though she is living happily with her husband Fayez, she is still
taking care of some of her siblings, providing them proper education
and guidance.
"Though I don't wear hijab but I am a practicing Muslim, performing
five times prayers daily and will be carrying along my prayer rug to
my office in Lansing," she told IOL referring to the headquarters of
the Michigan legislature.
"I am sure wearing hijab or following Islam is not an obstacle here in
achieving one's goals, provided there is commitment and persistent
efforts," she said emphatically.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Tlaib had to struggle hard for the
rights of immigrant families in her community especially Arab Muslims.
But finally she succeeded in getting back their civil liberties and
restoring their image and confidence.

In 2007, Tlaib was selected as fellow by Michigan Center for
Progressive Leadership in recognition of her leadership skills.
"Like many other immigrant Americans, my family too had an American
Dream, and today it got materialized," she told IOL.
"I feel myself fortunate enough to serve the community where I grew up
and which shaped me in a Muslim representative woman that I am today."