In this month’s blog, Corey Shearer, Outreach Coordinator at Emgage Florida, writes about organizing his Broward County community.
By Corey Shearer, Outreach Coordinator at Emgage Florida
For the past eight years, I have had the distinct honor of working with some of the brightest, hardworking Americans that we will ever see. The best way to explain this is to walk you through a week in the South Asian Communities that I interact with during my activities with Emgage. Emgage is a 501c3 non-profit that educates and mobilizes Muslim American voters in support of policies that enable all of our communities to thrive and democracy to flourish. Their work is rooted in the Islamic values of justice, mercy, peace, human dignity, and equality for all with a focus on the transformative power of political and civic participation.
I think we have to start with food. No journey among the AAPI communities in South Florida is possible without running into some of the smells, textures, and savory tastes of South Asian cuisine. South Asian cuisine is a blend of influences from the culinary traditions of Central Asia, Persia, and the Middle East, colliding with local regional and ethnic traditional food. Known for its rich, aromatic, and often spicy flavors, there is a wide variety of meat-based as well as vegetarian dishes. That is often how the weekend starts.
My most recent memory is attending a fundraiser for a children’s hospital. Food and fundraising is a common combination. At the height of the fundraising activities, I ran into 10 year old Sakina. She was just beaming after entering her first debate competition and doing very well. I started with food, but I think the hope for another door opening starts with our kids. I have witnessed other young Muslims go out and collect items for back to school giveaways as well as sharing directories of elected officials and contact info for government offices. The amount of calls, texts, and door knocks is commendable as well. The consistency of their passionate, animated efforts to reach out to fellow Americans would make anyone feel hopeful in this generation of citizens.
On Mondays, I am often in meetings with other local AAPI community members as we discuss ways to engage Muslim communities across a diverse landscape that is the American Muslim diaspora. This includes trips to many of the masjids (mosques) that house everything from faith discussions and Arabic training to local schools and often food pantries. When we journey from Pompano Beach to Palm Beach, we visit numerous diverse masjids there that work to support and improve their community. The door there is always open to any community member or community organization. That is the best part of my America.
The rest of the week consists of visits to local businesses that excel at delivering the best with a smile and welcoming greeting of “Assalamualaikum!”,an Arabic greeting meaning “Peace be upon you,” a common and religious salutation used by Muslims worldwide. We drop off flyers for our next event at Nirala Sweets & Restaurant and Eastern Food Market in the City of Sunrise, Broward County. While there, you are not allowed to leave without the Ras malai (milk dumplings) Barfi (milk fudge), or any of the other Indian or Pakistani confections.Then next door, we choose a soursop or tamarind juice to wash it all down.
From there we make our way to put up posters at Mehfil Restaurant & Banquet Hall, a community center for events. Mateen the owner is active in making sure that it is a great experience as you celebrate, fundraise, or share a discussion over food. Down the road, we place vote by mail re-enrollment self help forms and informational flyers still in Sunrise at El Patio (a Colombian Restaurant) and Tandoor Desi Cuisine & Pizza. You have not lived unless you try the Tandoor chicken tikka pizza or spicy tandoor fries – yum.
At the midpoint of my week, I made it over to Khan Baba in Plantation just as Musharaf Khan was leaving to go to his Citizens Academy class with the local police department. He waved me on to owner Kamal Khan, who gladly reviewed the menu and the staging area that we will use for our phonebanks to inform Muslim citizens of the multiple options available to get in their votes during the next couple election cycles. As I journey home I stop and have the same inspirational discussions with other businesses along the plaza.
My Thursday night involved jummah prayer, more discussions and food at the American Islamic Center of Florida (AICF), a welcoming Shia masjid on the eastern side of Pompano Beach. Once when my foot issues were really bad, Brother Hashem from there met me at a gas station with a pair of shoes from his store that he thought could help. The generosity and concern of this community knows no bounds. The current discussion revolves around a bill being introduced in the state legislature (HB31) that aims to hurt Arab Americans and Palestinians in a preemptive, vindictive way that undermines the traditions and values of our great nation.
Friday we table at the midday jummah prayer. Jummah is a congregational prayer. This faith convening is known as the “Day of Assembly” and is a commandment from the Qur’an, emphasizing community, spiritual guidance, and a deep connection with God. The time directly after, no matter how brief, is invaluable as a way of sharing information and making sure we are connected to that day’s faith discussion as well as the issues and concerns of our community.
My voter engagement experience with the South Asian Communities of South Florida centers around faith, food and fun. It has been the best experience of my life so far. I hope you come along. The door is always open and there is undoubtedly something good on the other side.
