MJ Khan Gains Momentum!

By Ilyas Choudry, MMNS

“I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, as you have graciously honored me with your presence tonight”: These were the most humble sentiments expressed by the City of Houston Councilman Honorable M. J. Khan, as he welcomed over four hundred attendees of his grand fund-raising dinner at the elegantly decorated Grand Ballroom of the Westin Galleria Hotel Friday night to support his re-election for the third and last two years term as the City of Houston Councilman from District “F”. He was accompanied by his accomplished physician wife Dr. Attiya Khan, M.D., Sister Yasmin Khan (Paro), Brother, Sisters and Brothers-&-Sisters-in-Law.

Dr. Neelofur Ahmad M.D. diligently emceed the proceedings. Program started with Recitation of the Holy Quran by Zafir Khan, which was followed by the National Anthem of USA and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of USA by four elementary school children, Huda Khan, Zoha Khan, Sarah Shaikh and Nashrah Khan. Later on the same children gave Flowers Bouquets to the main dignitary guests of the evening Mayor of Houston Honorable Bill White and his wife Andrea White and Congresspersons Sheila Jackson-Lee and AL-Green.

Haroon Shaikh CPA, Chairman of the event, welcomed everybody by saying that the number of people, who had graced the occasion, was unknown during a City Council seat race and it seemed as if this was fund raising for mayoral or congressional race. He thanked by names the entire major ($5,000) donors, Table Sponsors, Event organizing team and media.

Honorable Mayor Bill White was introduced onto the stage by Community Entrepreneur and Director of Ibna-e-Sina Community Clinic Nasru Rupani. Mayor White described M. J. Khan as person of rare intelligence and leadership. He admired the support Councilman has received from his supporters and his family, especially from his wife, as M. J. preferred to be full-time councilperson as compared to others, which means leaving early in the morning and returning home everyday well past 9:00PM. Mayor White said many politicians work in the world on the basis of dividing people on the basis of faith, ethnic background and tribal affiliations: In contrast, the City of Houston by embracing diversity and electing Councilperson of M. J.’s integrity and diverse background, have proven without doubt that prosperity and harmony in any society can be achieved with the politics. He added that Houstonians and Americans need people like Councilman M. J. Khan to continue going further up in the field of public service via political office. Mayor praised CM Khan’s character and integrity and his service to the US as representative of the US State department visiting various countries to build bridges between US and the Muslim world.

Cardiologist Dr. Asaf Qadeer invited Honorable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to speak, who saluted M. J. for accepting to represent people of this country in traveling to several Muslim Countries as goodwill ambassador of USA, enhancing the image of America, as respecting society of varying communities and cultures. She also praised M. J. Khan’s tremendous efforts in representing Pakistani and Muslim Americans in post 9-11 days.

AL-Oomer, seasoned Traffic Engineer and President of TEDSI Infrastructure Group, invited Congressman AL Green on the stage, who said M. J. is not only a principled person, but is a man of character. By this he said he means that where ever is M. J. alone or in public, his thought process is consistent and which is how to better serve the humanity and that show the strong character of any person.

Honorable Masrur Khan amidst thunderous applause after Dr. Attiya’s brief comments announced that he has been elected unopposed for his last two years tenure and that he is honored to have such nice supporters and friends, who had gathered in large numbers. He never had ever imagined that such a large number of people will ever come to support him. He highly praised the services and unique leadership and decision-making capabilities of Mayor Bill White, which have resulted in the City Councilpersons to get the admiration as well. He especially thanked Attorney Gordon Quan, who was the only City Councilperson to have given him a chance and supported his candidacy, when M. J. was running for the first term.

Honorable M.J. Khan said that he strongly believes the reason of human beings existence lies in this verse of Quran, which says: “We have not created you but as mercy to mankind”. We need to spend our lives in the service of mankind and this is how he said he will He added: “I plan to serve my constituents one Houstonian at a time for the next two years as the City of Houston Councilman District F, before I will get termed out. During these two years and beyond, I plan to continue to serve the humanity for the rest of my life without any prejudice and I am confident that my friends and supports will always continue their outpour of support, as is depicted by this evening”.

Honorable M. J. Khan said the baton needs to be carried forward by the younger generation and he is really happy to recognize people like Zaf Tahir, candidate for City of Houston At-Large Position Five, who are dedicating their time and energies to serve the public: They all need our support.

Before everybody enjoyed the sumptuous food of Mezban Catering Services, Congressman AL Green, Attorney Gordon Quan, Haroon Shaikh CPA and Mohammad Zaheer of Horizon Travel did the fund raiser for M. J. and the target of $250,000 for the night was met.

For more information about his constituent services, contact his office at: Council Member M. J. Khan, City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby, 1st Floor, Houston, TX 77002, Phone: 713.247.2002, Fax: 713. 247.1851, E-Mail: districtf@cityofhouston.net

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