Several South Asian community officials and important figures gathered at a breakfast meeting hosted by the South Asian American Political Action Committee (SAAPAC) in Long Island City last week. The meeting was as a major step towards South Asian communities who are making an effort to join the mainstream of U.S. politics.

SAAPAC Chairman Sal Aladin said that the time has come for the South Asian communities to unify and converge on a single platform. Despite being a fast growing community in the United States, he added, the voice of South Asians is not being heard.

“We talk a lot, but do little to join mainstream politics. Our voices will not be heard unless we utilize our vote,” Aladin said. “If our voice is not heard in city politics, then we stand little chance of being heard and recognized at the national level.”

Aladin also appealed to the attendees to observe a moment of silence as a sign of respect for the victims of the recent earthquake that struck Pakistan and India, as well as the victims of the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

New York officials and politicians were also present at the occasion.

New York Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin (D) said the doors of opportunity must be opened for the South Asian community in different walks of life. While paying tribute to the South Asian community, McLaughlin noted that it had yet to complete its journey from seeking jobs to being active in politics.

New York City Comptroller William Thompson didn’t deny the fact that the difficulties for the South Asian communities were increasing in the United States.

Thompson said the United States needs a secure environment, better housing, good schools and jobs, but, when referring to the tough legislation being done in Washington, DC, he added that people were being targeted in the name of the law. Describing the breakfast meeting as timely, he said the South Asian community needs to join local politics.

“By working together, we can bring greater stability to our communities. People from around the world come to New York and make the city their home. New Americans are considered to be the future of New York,” Thompson said.

New York Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D), on the other hand, said that local government in New York has seen many changes after the recent elections.

Nassau County Comptroller Weitzman stressed the need to look at the record of election candidates and said, “If you don’t consider the record of a candidate, your vote is useless.” He also emphasized the taxation problem in Long Island and described it as a joke among its residents.

Another speaker during the meeting was Chuck Narian, who said that Pakistani-American Ali Akbar Mirza gave a tough time to his Republican opponent on a Nassau County legislative seat in the last elections. Mirza, he said, had proved that South Asians are capable of making their way in political mainstream.

Narian expressed hope that Mirza would be able to his political race next time.

Helen Sears (D-Queens), New York City Council member, also said the South Asian community needs to be more politically active. She offered all out help and cooperation in resolving the community’s problems.

New York City Councilman Hiram Monserrate (D-Bronx) said a bill had been introduced in the city council to end discrimination. South Asian communities were economically stable and had a role to play in politics, he added.

Monserrate said South Asians must join politics, and he lauded programs that give SAAPAC elected officials a chance to know about the issues confronting different communities.

Assemblyman Jose Peralta described the South Asian community as a “sleeping giant.” He said that if this community wakes up, many people would lose their sleep. “Immigrants face several problems, but concerns about driving licenses are the most serious issues right now,” he said. “The South Asians might be pushed back in politics, yet they must not stop the march.”

Peralta asked the South Asians to join SAAPAC in greater numbers and also announced that he would become a member.

New York Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs Guillermo Linares also termed the formation of SAAPAC as a good omen for the political future of the South Asian community.

City Councilman David Weprin (D-Queens) noted that he had played an important role in starting an Asian heritage event at City Hall. He said the South Asian community has become relatively more politically active since 9/11. He promised to assist and cooperate with the South Asian community.

Nayyar Imam, the first Muslim commissioner of Nassau County, said that the formation of SAAPAC was the first step in a long journey. He noted that all communities, including Irish, Jewish and Italians, had endured difficulties in the beginning. He said Ali Akbar Mirza did not succeed in the election for Nassau County Legislature this time, but assured that he would win in the next elections. He said South Asians could carve a niche for themselves in this country by seeking higher education, and added that like Republicans and Democrats, who at times join hands on certain legislation, South Asian communities should also shed their differences and join hands for a greater political role.

The South Asian American Political Action Committee is the only South Asian political group that is formally registered. Similarly, no such breakfast meeting was ever held anywhere before. Thus, many believe that SAAPAC has set a healthy precedent.