“We are living in a global society where so many resources are available, and it’s important to share and spread knowledge, instead of putting up walls,” says Salman. “I knew for this to happen I would have to do something and that starts at a grassroots level.”
Salman knocked on dozens of doors and stood at the polls for ten days, from dawn to dusk, introducing himself to voters. When all the votes were counted, Euless had elected its first Muslim public official.
He was sworn in as City Council representative for Place 6 on Tuesday, May 22. The only lawyer and minority member of the City Council, Salman is aware of the responsibility and opportunity he has.
“Being elected is a privilege but also a huge responsibility, because everybody is looking at me. I think it brings a fresh perspective and new opportunities, and it’s an exciting time for our great city,” says Salman of his unlikely election. “There are a lot of diverse pockets of groups in Euless that are not connected to the city, and it’s important to connect resources to these communities.”
Salman, 38, represents a city that comprises approximately 55,000 residents of whom a little over 30 percent are non-white. He believes he is uniquely situated—as the only minority and lawyer on the City Council—to represent everyone living in Euless, including those who don’t feel they have a voice in their government.
“There are so many opportunities that people don’t even know about,” says Salman. “For example, the Nepali community came in and talked about the issue of language barriers. We connected them with City and County resources that provide translation services and interpreters.” He knows acknowledging the community’s diversity isn’t enough. Instead, he is seeking to help build a society that embraces pluralism.
“I try to follow the example that our Mawlana Hazar Imam has set for us,” says Salman. “We need to use our education and professional experience for the betterment of our local communities. I also hope to serve as an ambassador for the Ismaili faith, spreading the ideals of peace and voluntary service.”
These ideals brought Salman comfort during difficult times after first moving to the United States. He migrated from Pakistan to Montreal in 1999, before relocating to Texas. When a financial crisis struck the family, he mopped floors and restocked supplies at gas stations, before being able to purchase his own stores.
“I remember breaking my piggy bank one day to buy groceries,” says Salman. “I have seen poverty first-hand and the experience really made the best come out of me. I wouldn’t want anyone to experience this, but I am thankful for the journey.”
An entrepreneur, Salman became more involved with his community as a Boy Scouts leader, and while serving on the Euless Park and Leisure Services Board for four years.
“It is so important to build bridges with all communities and cultures,” says Salman. “My position on the City’s Park Board has inspired me to campaign for improvement of our local parks and libraries, and encourage the community to be more active by using these amazing facilities.”
Though his campaign focused on improving Euless, Salman faced discriminatory remarks from the opposition, and harsh criticism from several residents. Nevertheless, he prevailed amidst negative comments made by State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, who attempted to paint his faith and beliefs as incompatible with Euless voters.
“Several times voters came up and said that they saw what was going on in the media, they saw what Stickland had said, and they saw how we had reacted to it,” says Salman’s campaign manager, Brian Patrick. “They stopped by to say that they were proud to cast their votes for us, and were proud that we were carrying ourselves the way we were in this election.”
Amongst the numerous congratulatory letters and messages, were those from Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Canada’s Senator Mobina Jaffer, and this from Rafael Anchia, Member of the Texas State Legislature, who wrote: “As you prepare your transition into office, I encourage you to look back on what you have already accomplished. Your commitment to public service was realized when you made the conscious decision to throw your name into the political ring.”
He had support also from beyond Texas, as Nathan Moses, from Central Oregon, posted a lengthy message, writing that he was “proud” of the town, “inspired” by Salman’s “drive and grit through the election process,” and was excited to see the start of some “transformative work.”
Since his election, Salman has already begun to build better ties between Ismaili Muslims and the larger community. He brought some of his new colleagues to a local Jamatkhana on Eid ul Fitr as part of an I-CERV project, where Jamati members prepared 6,000 meals for the underserved in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “I thought this was a great way to open doors, engage in healthy dialogue and showcase our amazing Ismaili volunteers,” he says.
Euless Council Member Eddie Price was one of the event’s attendees and drove all the way from Euless to witness the service and tour the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, Plano. On a Facebook post to Salman, Price expressed that he was “honored to be invited” and looked “forward to future opportunities to work together for the benefit of our community.”
As someone who worked side-by-side with Salman during his campaign, Patrick saw in Salman’s willingness to do the often unrecognized, unappreciated work, a deeper commitment to improving lives that is common among all Ismaili Muslims.
“I was really impressed by the Ismaili community’s devotion and dedication to public service,” says Patrick. “What Salman is doing on City Council is taking that to the next level and showing that Ismailis have a tradition of public service. He is showing the next generation that they can also fulfill the mission of public service in this way, and take public office, just like anyone else.”
