This APF GOTV event will convene Pakistani American advocates, and they will explore the intersection of their advocacy work with voting and democratic participation—sharing personal experiences and unique insights. The panelists will discuss the challenges and successes they’ve encountered while shaping public policy and driving social change. Hosted by Khadijah Zahid and moderated by Anaya Sheikh, this conversation promises to offer valuable perspectives on the powerful role of advocacy in electoral engagement and the broader democratic process.
Our panelists include:
Raeena Lari is a Governing Board Member of the Santa Clara County Board of Education. She is an advocate for raising awareness and funding for better diagnostics and therapeutics for Tick-Borne Diseases, and co-leads a support group for impacted individuals. Raeena's primary focus in all her work is on health justice and inclusion.
Wardah Khalid is a policy analyst, activist, and public speaker. She currently serves in the US Department of State and is the Founder and Board Chair of Poligon Education Fund, a national civic education and advocacy organization strengthening American Muslim engagement with Congress. Wardah has significant experience working with federal policy makers on refugee and immigration issues, civil rights, and Middle East policy.
Dr. Sadaf Jaffer is a scholar and policy expert with 15+ years of public engagement, higher education, and governmental expertise. Dr. Jaffer is an Associate Research Scholar and Lecturer at Princeton University where she teaches courses on South Asian, Islamic, and Asian American Studies. Dr. Jaffer previously served in New Jersey's state legislature where she represented the 16th Legislative District. She championed increased funding for 9-1-1 call centers, teen suicide prevention programming, and translation services. Her legislative priorities included laws on election integrity, transportation, reproductive healthcare, and gun safety.
Faran Sharif currently works as the community liaison to New York State Senator James Sanders Jr, who represents the 10th Senatorial District in the New York State Senate. Sharif’s motivation for civic engagement and politics goes back to when he received his first phone in middle school. He was then exposed to online Islamophobic content and anti-Pakistani sentiment that taught him the importance of representation of Muslim and Pakistani American communities in spaces of community engagement and in our political systems. This incident motivated Sharif to pursue his education; he is now an emerging community leader who intends to use his skills to be part of improving his community and raising voices of the unheard.
Awam ki Awaz: Your Vote, Your Voice is an empowering webinar series focused on elevating Pakistani voices, educating voters, and fostering collaboration through community volunteering. The series will equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and mediums to actively partake in the democratic process and contribute pronounced preferences and priorities. Join us to sharpen your voice and make enlightened decisions.