South Asian community leaders endorse NY State Sen. Anna M. Kaplan

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As the August 23, 2022 Democratic primary draws near, New York State Senator Anna M. Kaplan was endorsed by a coalition of leaders representing some South Asian communities.

Kaplan announced Aug. 7, 2022, that she’s earned endorsements from a “diverse coalition of prominent South Asian community leaders and officials.”

The coalition of leaders includes State Senator Kevin Thomas and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar.

“I’ve been proud to stand up for the South Asian community during my time in the Senate, bringing back millions of dollars for AAPI organizations, fighting back against hate and discrimination targeting the community, and fighting for legislation that recognizes holidays like Eid, Onam and Diwali,” Sen. Kaplan is quoted saying in the press release. “When I’m re-elected, I will continue to fight for South Asian families, combat anti-AAPI hate, and deliver for the needs of the entire community,” she added.

To combat the rise in anti-Asian hate and violence, Senator Kaplan is credited with bringing in tens of millions of dollars to support AAPI organizations; she is pushing legislation to ensure that the history and contributions of Asian Americans is taught in schools as a means of combating hate through education; plus she wants school lunches to include options for halal and kosher foods; plus supporting promotion of cricket in the state.

 State Senator Kevin Thomas, the first Indian-American elected to the New York State Legislature, praised Senator Kaplan for being a “steadfast supporter” of the South Asian community. “…  we’ve worked together on countless initiatives to uplift our families and neighborhoods, and we need to keep her in the Senate to keep on fighting in the coming term,” Sen. Thomas said.

Community leaders endorsing Senator Kaplan include: Sen. Thomas; Assemblywoman Rajkumar; Dr. Ijaz Ahmad, chairman of American Pakistani Political Action Committee; community leaders Nimesh Shah, Koshy Thomas, Jasbir Singh, Kal Varghese, Dr. Uzma  Syed of the Islamic Center of Long Island, as well as Faroque Khan, chairman, Interfaith Institute of Long Island; Other supporters included North Hempstead Indian Malayalee Association & Floral Park Indian merchant Dincil George; Nilima Madan, Rotary Club of Hicksville; and Alex Esthapan Metro, president of the Kerala Center; Harjit Minhas, Alliance of South Asian American Labor; Mohammed Shabul Uddin, Alliance of South Asian American Labor; Lalit Aery, Former President, Indian Association of Long Island; Nadirshah Daredia, Community Leader; Toufique Harun, Co-founder of Muslims For Progress; Wazma Wardak Hassan, Founder and CEO of Afghan Americans of New York; Vasu Krishnamurthy, Community Leader, Desi Blue & Manhasset Dems; Shashi Malik, President, Seva Center of Humanity; Salem Merchants, Community Leader; Sanjeev Jindal, Candidate for New York State Assembly; Beena Kothari, Former President, India Association of Long Island; Indu Gajwani, President, Lions Club; Dharam Pal Singh, President, Rajput Association of North America; Rachana Shahjadpuri, President, Rotary Club; Prafulba Vaghela, Community Leader; Jaswinder “Jassi” Dhillon, Executive Director, South Asian For Strong America; Arminder Singh, Sant Sagar Gurdwara; Pritpal Walia, Sant Sagar Gurdwara; Navdeep Sharma, Kapurthla Sports Club; Parvinder Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha Sports Club; Jyoti Bhatia Gupta, Former President, Long Island Ladies Club & Community Organizer; Gurdip Singh Narula, Democratic Leader Manhasset Hills; and Mujeeb Lodhi, Publisher & Chief Editor, Pakistan News.

Assemblywoman Rajkumar called Kaplan a “proven leader who is always there for our community, whether it is meeting with all the South Asian organizations in her district, standing up against anti-Asian hate crimes, or including South Asians on her team.”

Professor Faroque Ahmad Khan said “Senator Kaplan has been a tireless fighter for the AAPI community and a strong supporter of the Interfaith Institute of Long Island – from helping to secure this year’s historic $20 million investment in AAPI communities to co-sponsoring legislation to make sure all New York students know the history and civic impact of Asian Americans.”

“Senator Anna Kaplan has always stood up for our community. From championing bills to prevent violent hate crimes to fighting to make Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Diwali, and Onam school holidays, I know that Anna Kaplan is a representative who truly cares about protecting and uplifting the South Asian community,” said Dr. Uzma Syed.