COMMUNITY MAY 20, 2016 – LINK – P17 Community Link VOL. 26/21 Friday, May 20, 2016 12 Sha’ban 1437 H PAGE 19 PAGEPAGE 21egum PAGEPAGE 27 17 For news,

PCB Optimistic Lena Khan Gets Suriya & Dev updated round Best Film Director Anand’s Doomed Amir Will Get the clock, visit Award in LA Love Affair Visa for UK www.PakistanLink.com Pakistanis Are Silicon Valley’s Largest Foreign-Born Muslim Group n By Riaz Haq Pakistani actor Kumail Nanjiani playing a Pak- CA istan-born Silicon Valley techie. akistani-Americans are the largest for- Silicon Valley’s biggest tech start-up in- eign-born Muslim group in San Fran- cubator Y-Combinator is now headed by Qa- cisco Bay Area that includes Silicon sar Younis, a Pakistani-American born in the PValley, according to a 2013 study. The study Pakistani village of Lala Musa. Younis was a was commissioned by the One Nation Bay keynote speaker at the Pakistani-American Area Project, a civic engagement program entrepreneurs conference called OPEN Forum supported by Silicon Valley Community 2016 just last month in Silicon Valley. Foundation, The San Francisco Foundation, Marin Community Foundation and Asian Islamophobia in America Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy. Muslim-Americans, including Pakistani- Overall, US-born Muslims make up the Americans are thriving in the high-tech Bay largest percentage at 34% of all Muslims in the Area in spite of the recent rise of Islamophobia Bay Area, followed by 14% born in Pakistan, in parts of America where the Republican pre- 11% in Afghanistan, 10% in India, 3% in Egypt sumptive nominee Donald Trump appears to and 2% each in Iran, Jordan, Palestine and Ye- be popular. men. Ashar Aziz, Founder of FireEye Osman Rashid, Founder of Chegg But Muslim-Americans cannot afford to ignore the gathering clouds of Islamophobia Silicon Valley Pakistani-American by and xenophobia in America. The economic dif- the Numbers ficulties of many Americans are being exploit- There are 35,000 Pakistani-born Mus- ed by demagogues like Donald Trump who is lim in San Francisco Bay Area, or 14% of the blaming foreigners for their unemployment 250,000 Muslims who call the Bay Area home, and underemployment which can be traced to according to the study. Bay Area Muslim com- the twin forces of automation and globaliza- munity constitutes 3.5 percent of the area’s to- tion. tal population and is one of the highest con- First, it was the manufacturing jobs that centrations of Muslims in the country. moved offshore in the 1980s and 1990s in an ef- As of 2013, South Asian Muslims, includ- fort to save costs and fatten profits. This forced ing Pakistanis, have the highest income levels, many factory workers to move into service with nearly half (49%) of them having a house- industries and take pay cuts. Now the service hold income above $100,000. In comparison, sector jobs are also falling prey to outsourcing those groups with the lowest proportion of and automation. household incomes above $100,000 were His- Instead of addressing the root causes of panic Muslims (15%), Afghans (10%), and Af- economic difficulties faced by many Ameri- rican American Muslims (10%). Qasar Younis, Head of YCombinator Raghib Husain, Founder of Cavium cans, Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s The Bay Area Muslim community is very presidential primary campaign is blaming im- diverse in terms of race and ethnicity: migrants and Muslims for their problems. This South Asians (30%) is giving rise to forces of racism, bigotry, xeno- Arabs (23%) phobia and Islamophobia in America. Afghans (17%), African Americans (9%) Summary Asian/Pacific Islanders (7%) It’s in the best interest of Silicon Valley Whites (6%) entrepreneurs, particularly Muslim-American Iranians (2%) entrepreneurs, to pay attention to the eco- Based on the survey findings, the majority nomic difficulties being faced by many Ameri- of Muslims live in the following three counties: cans who are losing jobs to automation and Alameda (37%) globalization. These difficulties lie at the root Santa Clara (27%), of growing xenophobia and Islamophobia. and Contra Costa (12%) The Muslim-American entrepreneurs need to think of new ways to help people who are Pakistani-American Techies being left behind. They need to explore ideas Thousands of Pakistan-born techies are such as helping build new skills needed for the working at Apple, Cisco, Google, Intel, Oracle new economy, promote policy discussions on Rehan Jalil, Founder of Elastica Naveed Sherwani, Founder of Open Silicon and hundreds of other high-tech companies the idea of universal basic income and expan- from small start-ups to large Fortune 500 cor- bankers, accountants and lawyers make up a tion of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN) has sion of safety nets and development of new porations. Pakistani-Americans are contrib- growing ecosystem in Silicon Valley. Dozens become a de facto platform for networking gig economy to ensure full employment with uting to what Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew of Pakistani-American founded start-ups have among Pakistani-American entrepreneurs in decent incomes. Failure to do so could lead to McAfee describe as “The Second Machine Age” been funded by top venture capital firms. Many Silicon Valley. significant social strife and cause irreparable in a recent book with the same title. such companies have either been acquired in Pakistani-American techies presence in damage to the very foundations of the system Pakistani-American entrepreneurs, advis- M&A deals or gone public by offering shares Silicon Valley has been recognized in a popular that has brought great wealth and power to ers, mentors, venture capitalists, investment for sale at major stock exchanges. Organiza- HBO show called “Silicon Valley” that stars a America as a nation.

www.PakistanLink.com P18 – PAKISTAN LINK – MAY 20, 2016 COMMUNITY In Election Year, More Immigrants Applying for US Citizenship n By Anthony Advincula side the United States, have immu- nity from deportation, and get a job Houston, TX: For more than a de- with the federal government. cade, Jannette Diep has been help- Tien Nguyen, a recently natu- ing immigrants apply for US citizen- ralized US citizen from Vietnam, ship. But as the presidential election said that becoming a US citizen al- looms, Diep, the executive director lows him to travel without worrying of Boat People SOS, says she has whether he will be let back into the seen a rising interest among immi- country. grants in becoming US citizens. “I can now travel freely as an More immigrants are going to American,” said Nguyen. community centers like hers to find Research has shown that be- out how to become a US citizen, she coming a US citizen is also associ- said. ated with an increase in income. The number of people applying Since he became a US citizen for US citizenship shows an uptick this year, Mateo Amador Perez says during presidential election years, he got a better-paying job and the according to the US Citizenship and quality of life of his family has im- Immigration Services (USCIS). proved. “They come to our office or call “I decided to naturalize be- us,” said Diep. “They’re very eager to cause I knew it will bring more op- get their citizenship.” portunities for me and my family,” The good news, she said, is that said Amador Perez, who is origi- applying for citizenship is easier nally from Mexico. “I wanted them than people think. The naturalization process, from the time an applicant sends in the application to an interview with an immigration officer and to have the best future that I could Boat People SOS and other taking part in the actual swearing-in ceremony, can take five to six months. That means that many immigrants are applying to g i v e .” organizations across Houston are become US citizens now, in the hope that they will be able to register to vote in time for November Texas State Representative providing free and low-cost services Gene Wu, who spoke at the press to help Houstonians take the step versity, said that between January they’d become part of the life of the Some newly naturalized citi- briefing, echoed the sentiments of to become US citizens. The effort and April, her organization alone city,” Juarez said at an ethnic media zens say being able to exercise their the newly naturalized citizens. Forty is part of the New Americans Cam- has helped more than 1,000 immi- briefing in Houston. “They’d be- right to vote is the main factor that percent of the people in his district paign, a national, nonpartisan cam- grants file their citizenship applica- come more active [in civic engage- prompted them to apply for citizen- are foreign-born, he said. paign now in its fifth year that helps tions. “We’re hoping that more and ment].” ship. “My family, myself—we are legal permanent residents take the more will apply,” she said. The naturalization process, “Now that I can vote, this gives all immigrants ourselves,” Wu said. step to become citizens. There are about 8.8 million im- from the time an applicant sends in me a sense of ownership to be part “Being an American citizen is some- The organizations host free migrants in the United States eli- the application to an interview with of this country,” said Ming Shen, an thing that I have been very proud workshops where legal permanent gible for naturalization, and about an immigration officer and taking immigrant from who be- of .” residents can get help with their ap- 350,000 live in the Houston area, part in the actual swearing-in cer- came a US citizen earlier this year. (For more information about plications. They help eligible immi- according to Benito Juarez, manager emony, can take five to six months. “I’m very glad that my voice can be the New Americans Campaign and grants access fee and language waiv- for immigrant and refugee issues at That means that many immigrants heard in this country.” upcoming citizenship workshops, ers. They also offer English language the Houston Mayor’s Office of Inter- are applying to become US citizens But the benefits of becom- go to www.newamericanscampaign. and civics classes. national Communities and Refugee now, in the hope that they will be ing a US citizen extend far beyond org) Mariana Sanchez, chief operat- Affairs. able to register to vote in time for November. US citizens can petition - New America Media ing officer of Bonding Against Ad- “If they’d be able to vote, then November. family members, travel freely out- Pakistan’s First Formula Electric Car Civil Rights & Religious Groups Support Enters US Competition New Jersey Muslims’ Right to Worship ust a few days ago, National Uni- uslim Advocates led a religious freedom of all Americans.” versity of Science and Technology coalition of 15 of its allies M. Ali Chaudry, who served (NUST) made news as it was named to file an amicus brief in as the Bernards Mayor from 2004- Jamong the 150 best young universities Msupport of a New Jersey Muslim 2007 and has been a resident of the in the world. The varsity certainly de- community whose proposal to community for almost 40 years, serves its place in the list with its stu- build a mosque was rejected by initially purchased a plot of land dents having built Pakistan’s first elec- the Township of Bernards. The designated for homes and houses tric-powered formula racing car. Township held 39 hearings on the of worship and applied for a permit At an impressive ceremony at the proposal, creating roadblock after to build a mosque where commu- Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi on roadblock for the mosque. Despite nity members could congregate and Thursday, a team of undergraduate engi- the fact that the Islamic Society of send their children to Sunday school neering students from Pakistan Navy En- Basking Ridge (ISBR) responded classes. gineering College, a constituent college of to, and complied with each re- The congregation ensured NUST, unveiled a formula electric racing quest, the permit was ultimately that the mosque was designed to car which has been entirely designed and denied. fit into the neighborhood and met manufactured in-house. The amicus brief, filed by lead- all Township standards for houses The students have been selected as ing civil rights and religious groups of worship. The Township of Ber- the only team from Asia to take part in including the ACLU, Union for Re- nards, however, repeatedly made the FSAE Electric competition in the elec- form Judaism, Asian Americans Ad- unreasonable demands on the trical category to be held in Lincoln, NE, vancing Justice | AAJC, Arab Amer- mosque. Ultimately, the Township USA this year from June 15 to June 18. ican Institute, and ColorofChange, determined that the mosque should “It’s an amazing feeling and a great supports the lawsuit by ISBR, which be held to a more stringent standard honor for all of us to be a part of the team Pakistan’s first electric-powered formula racing car unveiled for international com- claims the Township’s decision to than churches, requiring more than petition in the US. Photo by Danial Thebo and represent Pakistan at such a big stage,” reject ISBR’s zoning permit appli- double the number of parking spots Danial Thebo, who is part of the commu- Team has also been selected to contest in added. cation was discriminatory. ISBR than a church of the same size would nications and management team, told The an international design competition in Formula Student is an engineering argues that the Township used one require. Despite meeting Township Express Tribune. Germany. design competition organized by Soci- standard for churches, and a differ- demands and submitting a proposal He added that the car was made in The competition named Formula ety of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The ent and more stringent standard for with the increased number of park- compliance of the sringent standards laid Student Germany is part of Formula SAE competition aims to inspire and develop the mosque. ing spaces, ISBR’s application was out by SAE International and would com- series and will be held from 9-14 August enterprising and innovative young engi- “Sadly, this case represents still denied. pete with universities from all over the 2016. neers. It challenges universities across the the struggle Muslim communities ISBR responded by filing a law- world. “We are NUST FS Team, and we globe to conceive, design, build and test across the nation are increasingly suit against the Township and its of- The team is certainly geared up to have been developing a combustion type a small scale formula style race vehicle facing due to anti-Muslim bigotry,” ficials in January 2016. The amicus put a good show at the international event race vehicle, every year for the past four every year. Each student team builds a said Madihha Ahussain, Muslim brief was filed with a motion for after spending 16 months in planning, re- years, and have been participating in FS prototype based on a series of rules, both Advocates staff attorney and lead leave to file amicus curiae brief. searching and manufacturing the car. UK earlier, and FS Germany later, as the ensuring on-track safety and promoting for the Program to Counter Anti- To read the amicus brief filed, “Bank Alfalah is on board with us only team from Pakistan,” Muhammad clever problem solving. Muslim Hate. “The Muslims in click here. now as part of their rising talent campaign Umer, team manager, told The Express The event takes place at a number Basking Ridge deserve what every Muslim Advocates is a national and is sponsoring us to raise the green flag Tribune. of locations around the globe every year, American is entitled to – the right to legal advocacy and educational or- for the very first time in the USA,” Thebo “Last year at Formula Student UK, including UK, Germany, Lincoln, Michi- freely exercise their faith. Blocking a ganization working on the front- said. we stood at 49th rank among 106 teams gan, Australia and Japan. The competition zoning permit for a mosque due to lines of civil rights to guarantee Another team from the same uni- from 28 different countries of the world, is backed by many leading automotive bigotry not only hurts the Muslims freedom and justice for Americans versity called NUST Formula Student surpassing two teams from India,” he and engineering firms around the world. in Basking Ridge, it undermines the of all faiths. www.PakistanLink.com COMMUNITY MAY 20, 2016 – PAKISTAN LINK – P19 US Postal Service Eid Stamp Getting a Makeover in 2016

September 1, 2001 September 3, 2009 August 12, 2011 August 8, 2013 June, 2016 n Noman Hassan al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (also known “Eidukum Mubarak” in golden Ara- Eid al-Adha is celebrated at the before the 9/11 terrorist attack, had Folsom, CA as Eids). Eid stamps shown below bic script on a purple background – end of Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). All not been without controversy. USPS feature the phrase “Eid Mibarak” in meaning “May your Eid be blessed Muslims (regardless of gender) who received letters of protest but the very year the United States gold Arabic scripts on a blue back- (bountiful)”. All these Eid stamps are healthy and can afford to travel to letters of support outnumbered the Postal Service (USPS) brings ground – the phrase “” with gold calligraphy in Arabic Mecca are mandated to perform Hajj letters of protest. Such controversies joy and cheer to millions in means “Eid Greetings or Blessed against various color backgrounds at least once in a lifetime. Eid al-Ad- are not new to USPS as the issuance theE United States and across the Festival”. On the days of Eid ul-Fitr feature the work of Mohamed Zakari- ha, also known as the festival of sacri- of the first stamp in 1962 world with its Stamp Pro- and Eid-al-Adha, Muslims greet each ya, a world-renowned calligrapher. fice, is also celebrated to commemo- was opposed by some groups who gram. The first holiday stamp, a set other with the phrase shown on the Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of the rate Prophet Abraham’s submission were concerned about separation of of Christmas stamps, was issued on stamps – “Eid Mubarak” which can month of fasting known as Rama- to Allah’s command and Prophet church and state. USPS issuance and November 1, 1962 in Pittsburgh, be paraphrased as “May your reli- dan, revered as the month of bless- Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his reissuance of Eid stamp is an excel- Pennsylvania. gious holiday be blessed”. Since the ing, charily and devotion to God. The beloved son, Prophet Ishmael. Allah lent proof and testimony of United Since 1962, USPS has added Ha- first issuance in 2001, Eid Stamp had first verses of the Holy book of Islam accepted Prophet Abraham’s sacrifice States tolerance and diversity. nukkah, Kawanzaa and Eid stamps been reissued seven times with the – Qur’an - were revealed to Prophet and replaced his son with an animal. Next time you visit your local to its holiday stamp program to cel- same calligraphy and script but with Muhammad during the month of On the day of Eid al-Adha, Muslims post office, make sure to purchase ebrate Jewish, African-American and different background colors (Blue, and it is believed that the remember Prophet Abraham’s sac- USPS Holiday Stamps collection and Muslim traditions and holidays re- Maroon, and Green) and as Forever revelation was also completed dur- rifice and trials and sacrifice an ani- become part of the festivals of Chris- spectively. stamp. ing the month of Ramadan. Religious mal such as sheep, or camel. The tianity, Judaism, African Americans The first Eid stamp was issues In 2016, US Postal Service is giv- practice of fasting is shared by the meat of the animal is shared with the and Islam. on September 1, 2001 to commemo- ing the EID Stamp a well over due three Abrahamic religions - Judaism, poor, family and relatives. Source of images, the United rate the two most important festivals makeover. 2016 Issuance of Forever Christianity and Islam – though in The issuance of the Eid stamp on States Postal Service®, “© United in the Islamic calendar, namely, Eid EID Stamp will feature the phrase different forms and on different days. September 1, 2001 precisely 10 days States Postal Service. Luncheon Brings Groups together for Better Understanding of Religion n By Emily Bohatch board member at the Noor Center, said. Malik said interfaith efforts tend to take root t was a child’s story that prompted Lancaster more successfully in metropolitan areas. resident Angie Kiger to reach out to the Mus- “The suburban interfaith (movement) has al- lim community. ways been a more alienated concept,” he said. I A now-retired teacher friend of hers told Kiger Still, Kiger’s group got a better idea of what life about a former student, a nine-year-old boy, who is like for members of Noor. was being bullied because of his faith. They learned, for example, that it’s not easy for He came up to his teacher and said, “I’m not a Muslims even in a fairly diverse area such as central terrorist, I’m not a terrorist,” Kiger said. “It just broke Ohio. my heart.” Noor member Wahida Abaza said her 10-year- Given the current political climate, in which old daughter had been harassed by fellow students the Republican frontrunner has suggested banning over the topic of Donald Trump’s candidacy. Muslims from entering the country, Kiger wanted to “My daughter, somebody said to her, ‘When understand more about the Muslim religion — more Trump becomes president, your family might have than she could learn in Fairfield County. to leave,’” Abaza said. Kiger, who just recently moved back to Lan- “And she said, ‘Where would we go?’’” caster from Hilliard, contacted Imran Malik, presi- Kiger set up her group in hopes that lunch dent of the Board of Directors at the Noor Islamic meetings like the one on Thursday might prevent Cultural Center in Hilliard, to see what kind of similar encounters in the future. events they could offer to members of her communi- “It’s very difficult to demonize peoplewhen ty who had never been exposed to the Muslim faith. you get to look into their eyes and get to know The result of that contact was a lunch that at- them,” said Sandra Anderson, a member of tracted about three dozen people to the Noor center central Ohio. derstandings and make a spirit to work together and Ohio University’s Board of Trustees, who at- to mingle and to discuss issues affecting Muslims in “The purpose of these meetings is to fix misun- live in peace together,” Inam Khokhar, a previous tended the lunch. - The Columbus Dispatch Lena Khan Gets Best Film Director Award at Asian Pacific Film Festival

The Asian Pacific 32nd Film Festi- of the festival. About 1,000 men and film and came out laughing and smiling. and gave the best director award to Lena Before Hunter, Lena had been val was held in Hollywood, Los Angeles women watched the screening of the film After two days of screening, the Khan. Tiger Hunter was adjudged as making short films and had won acco- on April 27 2016. Tiger Hunter was se- that features the life of an immigrant. Grand Jury of the Festival met at Direc- the best film of the festival. This is Lena lades for her work. - Pictures by Anwar lected and honored on the opening night The audience thoroughly enjoyed the tor Guild of America in West Hollywood Khan’s first full feature film. Khawaja www.PakistanLink.com