Pakistani-US Democrats to host Vice President Kamala Harris on June 26
World
Vice President Harris is seeking reelection in November
(Web Desk) – Noted Pakistani-American physician and philanthropist Dr Asif Mahmood will host US Vice President Kamala Harris at his California residence on June 26.
The reception will be co-hosted by Tanweer Ahmed, who is a leading businessman and entrepreneur in the US.
Vice President Harris, seen as a champion of progressive values and community bonds for her egalitarian, pro-immigrant views, is seeking reelection in November. It is beyond doubt that her views on local, regional, and international issues will be of utmost importance in the present-day global scenario.
The timing of the reception hosted by Dr Mahmood is also significant as it will take place a day before the presidential debate between incumbent Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump.
Once a harsh critic of her Democrat “rival” Joe Biden, Ms Harris has kept a low profile, which helped her built her image as a sagacious politician.
Longtime Democrat Dr Mahmood, who was recently appointed US Commissioner on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), has always preferred Ms Harris over Mr Biden.
Back in 2020, when it was evident that Joe Biden would be nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate, Dr Mahmood chose to stay close to Ms Harris and hosted her at his residence.
She acknowledged Dr Mahmood’s gesture and expressed her gratitude by saying: "He (Dr Mahmood) has been supporting me for so many years, and when I made the decision to run for president of the United States, he was one of the first calls that I made.
“He was incredibly encouraging and supportive, and that has always been the case. He stepped up at the very beginning, and I cannot thank him enough.
“You are not only a very successful professional, you really are an extraordinary American leader," Harris stated while lauding his support.
She reciprocated his gesture in 2022 by announcing endorsement of Dr Mahmood’s campaign for Congress: “I am proud to endorse Dr. Asif Mahmood, who is part of an accomplished slate of Californians up and down the ballot who are committed to, along with our Administration, deliver results on behalf of working families, confronting the climate crisis, lowering health care costs, and other critical priorities.
“The stakes are high this year and I am confident Dr. Asif Mahmood will stand up for the values we hold dear.”
She also attended a fundraiser for Dr Mahmood’s campaign. Both had also met in April last year to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Dr Mahmood is equally close to former first lady and secretary of state Hillary Clinton. During her primary, he had supported her bid for president over Biden’s. On her part, Ms Clinton endorsed Dr Mahmood for Congress. She went the extra mile by arranging political events for Dr Mahmood.
It was her first-of-its-kind campaign event for any Pakistani-American politician. In a special message recorded after the event, the former first lady had said: “One of the greatest qualities of Dr Mahmood is that he has never sent anyone back home for not being able to pay fees.”
Born to a lower-middle-class family, Dr Mahmood is a true example of a self-made man. He was born in a remote village of Kharian in the province of Punjab. To study medicine, he moved to Karachi and graduated from Sindh Medical College. Later, he migrated to the United States.
According to a press note issued by the USCIRF, Mahmood is a practicing physician, human rights activist, interracial and inter-faith community organizer, and philanthropist. He has also led the advocacy for many human rights campaigns focused on South Asia.
Mahmood was also a Delegate for the Democratic National Convention from 2008 to 2016 and held many roles in presidential campaigns. He is also the current Chair of the Organisation for Social Media Safety (OFSSMS) and a Board Member of Hope the Mission, one of the largest homeless shelters in California.
The co-host of the reception for Vice President Harris, Tanweer Ahmad is very close to the top Democratic hierarchy. He is among the few Pakistani-Americans who rub shoulders with former president Barack Obama and the Clinton family, to name a few.
In Pakistan, Ahmad is better known as a philanthropist. He donated $9 million to the National University of Science and Technology for developing the Information Technology tower. Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir once acknowledged his role by saying: “Pakistan is proud of heroes like him.”
Ahmad’s vision of promoting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pakistan has drawn him closer to Governor Kamran Tessori as well. He has also donated to the governor’s free IT programme and his initiative for unemployed youth to start their own businesses.
Like Dr Mahmood, Ahmad too comes from a humble background. He was born in Sialkot to a farmer. With a borrowed ticket and $23 in his pocket, he landed in New York City when he was just 18. Now, he owns multiple businesses and employs over 5,000 people across the US.
Ahmad believes that the Democrats can offer more to the immigrant community than the Republicans. To him, supporting Harris is a fight for a brighter, better, and more equal future for all.
Also read: US VP Kamala Harris talks 'Pak politics' with Democrat Asif Mahmood
Leading Pakistani-American Democrat Dr Asif Mahmood met US Vice President Kamala Harris in California and discussed with her current political situation in Pakistan.
