11/04/2021
Alhamdulillah (All Praise be to God), we got 38.27% of the vote, but not enough to win. The campaign was a real learning experience, it really takes both a mental and physical toll on oneself and on the family. First and foremost, I would like to thank and recognize my wife Saima, she was my rock, a source of comfort, my campaign manager, my campaign treasurer (legally as well), my biggest worker, and my biggest supporter, Alhamdulillah. She was not only there for all the long hours of the day at polling locations, block walking, during the long nights placing campaign signs around the district, but also managed the household with our 5 kids when she got home, just amazing resiliency and drive. On the campaign trail, everyone had only good things to say about her. Everyone from the other campaigns only praised her efforts, dedication, and personality. If she were to run, I am sure she would win. I would like to remember my mother who passed away last year due to COVID, Allhumma Maghfir Laha Warhamha (May Allah (God) forgive her and shower her with His Mercy), I know she would be proud of what we have accomplished. Please keep her in your prayers.
I would like to congratulate Connie Esparza and her team for running a good and decent campaign. A campaign that was respectful and full of dedicated and well-mannered volunteers.
I meet some amazing people and great personalities throughout this journey. I felt the pain, saw, and heard the issues facing our community and educational system. I still plan to be the voice of reason and take an active role in our school system. I will work hard in bridging the racial divide and be the unheard voice of our children.
Whatever happens, is from the Will of God, we put in our efforts and leave the rest in His Hands. We put up 300 hundred signs, we passed out thousands of flyers, reached out on social media, we put in 100s of hours in block walking, phone calls, and two and a half weeks of working the polls. The voter turnout was very low, so every vote counted so much more, a majority of the votes were "Ballot By Mail", so those are people I didn't get a chance to meet. We have an everchanging and dynamic community and the needs of our students change over time. Currently, we have a student population of 63,302. Out of this number, 74% of the students are Hispanic, 22% are African American, 2% white, 1% Asians, and 1% others. We need to be the voice for all and your voice matters, so let’s get involved.
Words can't express how much I appreciate all the words of encouragement, all the volunteer efforts, financial support, and outpour from our community. I would like to recognize my High School (Eisenhower) and Middle School (Shotwell) Principal, Fred Richardson, who not only kept in touch with me for the past 30 years but endorsed my campaign and was boots on the ground campaigning at big IKE, amazing. I would like to recognize Candis Houston, the president of Aldine AFT, who endorsed me and really welcomed me into the community, and introduced me to the right people. I would like to recognize Claud Cummings, Jr., CWA (Communications Workers of America) District 6 Vice President, whose support and advice were invaluable. I would also recognize Randy Bates, of the Aldine School Board, who was actions and words were inspirational. I have never seen anyone with more passion and dedication working the polls. I would recognize my sister, Ghuzzala Malik, faithgraphicdesigns.com, who designed my T-shirts, Flyers, and campaign signs. She did an amazing job and she worked around the clock to get the job done on time. I would also like to recognize my nephew Huzaifa Malik, who at a moment's notice, got up and ran to various polling locations and pushed the vote, amazing. I know there are so many people that should be mentioned, that helped me along the way, my block walk team, (Harris, Nadia, Aisha, Omar, Liz, and Yousuf), my 17 poll workers, especially Elizabeth Tierrablanca, and my amazing neighbors (the Badat, Bobat, & Vaid families), and my donors. I won’t mention their names here, but it really caught me by surprise the huge checks that were written by my friends and co-workers, I still can’t believe the huge hearts they have and the belief they had in me and my campaign. Additionally, l would like to thank Laique Rehman, Abul Qasim Maududi, Baseer Pirzada, and Zahoor Gire, who all not only encouraged me to run but promoted my campaign and came into volunteer at the polls. Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my father, Muhammad F. Malik, for all he has done for me over the years, his encouragement, and supporting words.
May Allah (God) bless you all and your families and shower you all with His Mercy and give you all Barakah (Blessings) in both your wealth and time, Ameen. Thank you once again.
