Saghir "Saggy" Tahir (died October 16, 2013) was an American politician who was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. In the 2006 elections, he was re-elected for a fourth term to represent Ward 2, District 9 in his home town of Manchester. Retrieved on Dec. 25, 2006
Background Tahir was born in British Raj India, at New Delhi. Retrieved on Jan. 2, 2007 Retrieved on Dec. 25, 2006 In 1972 he emigrated to the United States from Lahore, Pakistan, "with about $100 to his name." Retrieved on Dec. 25, 2006 Retrieved on Jan. 02, 2007 After coming to America Tahir "worked a variety of jobs, mostly in the construction field and invested in rental properties." At this point of his life Tahir felt sacrifice was necessary: "I was married to the business rather than married to my wife." Focusing on his businesses left him with little family time. "I wanted to take my kids out of the poverty cycle because I came from a poor family and to do that I had to work and I did work more than 16, 18, 20 hours a day, seven days a week to get ahead of the bunch."
Tahir has a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics and a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Retrieved on Dec. 26, 2006 Tahir is believed to be the first Pakistani native to be elected to a state legislature anywhere in the United States. Tahir is the first Muslim-American elected to a political position in the United States of America. Retrieved on Jan. 2, 2006
Government service In 1998 Tahir was challenged by his son "to give back to the community by running for State legislator". Tahir was skeptical. "Honestly speaking, I was a typical Pakistani with a lot of bias. I was convinced 100 percent that no one would vote for me other than my wife." Tahir did not win in 1998, but felt "he lost because he didn't work hard enough." In 2000 he ran again with a more active campaign and "won with over 70 percent of the vote." Tahir focused on the issues in a "constituency in which there are 90 percent white Americans" without a sizeable Pakistani-American community. Retrieved on Jan. 3, 2007 One of the focuses of his campaign was his commitment "to providing the highest education to our children so that they can compete here at home and abroad."
Tahir took his seat in the New Hampshire General Court, State House of Representatives for Ward 2. The New Hampshire House of Representatives has 400 members and is the fourth-largest English-speaking legislative in the world. As representatives are paid $100 a year plus reimbursement for mileage, it is generally seen as voluntary work.
Upon taking office Tahir has been credited with a good "work ethic and ethical standards". Tahir was deeply moved the first time he spoke on the floor of the house, "They are talking about ethics. We are the judges of our actions. When was the last time the taxpayers approved for us to take a free lunch?" Tahir's political focus has been on education and aiding the needy. In the past he has taken "a high-level delegation to a local homeless shelter to push for more support and funding." Tahir was re-elected in District 50 (Wards 2, 3, 10 & 11) in November, 2002. He serves as a member of the Public Works and Highways Committee, and was Chairman of the City Republican Committee in 2001. He served as the 2nd Vice Chair, City Republican Committee in 2000 and Secretary, City Republican Committee in 1999.
Soon after his 2000 victory Tahir "hit the road to make appearances and speak to Pakistani American communities...[to] give a wake-up call to all Muslim Americans to show that the United States is your home, and you must give back to local communities so that Americans of other faiths will look at you as brothers and sisters, instead of adversaries. ...[and remind them to say] thanks to the veterans because their efforts and sacrifices gave us this land of opportunity." Retrieved on Jan. 2, 2007
Advocacy groups (see also support of ARK below.) Tahir is active in many advocacy groups concerning both Pakistani-Americans and American-Muslims. He believes it to be both a religious obligation and a civic duty. "That's exactly what I am trying to remind my fellow American Muslims. God does not say you give back to the Muslims only. He says give back to my people. All people in the universe are his people, regardless of what religion they follow."
American Muslim Alliance Tahir is the President of the American Muslim Alliance (AMA) New Hampshire chapter. Retrieved on Dec. 30, 2006 He was a lead speaker at AMA's March 31, 2001 East Regional Leadership Training Conference in Westborough, Massachusetts. Retrieved on Dec. 26, 2006 After the Sept. 11th attacks, Tahir attended the Oct. 2001, 6th annual AMA national convention in San Jose, California, where he was a key speaker. The usually unnoticed convention of "about 500 Muslims at the Wyndham Garden Hotel" received a different treatment this time. "Police officers patrolled the hotel's lobby and front entrance, reporters from national and regional media roamed the convention eager to learn how Muslim-Americans have been reacting to both the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing race-motivated backlash against them." While attending the convention Tahir also attended a peace rally held in César Chávez Park. At the rally he was interviewed by Brad Williams of WB20, Channel 11. He told the reporter that "We are Americans first." Asked on the American strikes into Afghanistan, Tahir replied, "Pakistan don't want a neighbor to the north that is an enemy. Foreign policy starts with your neighbor." Retrieved on Dec. 26, 2006 On October 5, 2002, at the AMA's 7th national convention, Tahir was on a panel called "Muslims in Politics: Success Stories". Also on the panel were Yaphett El-Amin (then Assemblywomen-Elect) and Dr. M. Ali Chaudry, a Township Committee Member. Retrieved on Dec. 30, 2006
Other advocacy work On October 18, 2003, Tahir served on a panel at the inaugural event of the Pakistani-American Leadership Initiative (PALI). The mission of PALI is "to serve as a forum for young Pakistani-American professionals to develop and enhance leadership skills". The panel on which Tahir participated was called "The Leaders of Today Meet the Leaders of Tomorrow" and was held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C. After the panel met and lunch was held, the participants were addressed by the Pakistani Ambassador, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, who told them that professionals in the Pakistani-American community need to take action and not just espouse ideas, as "the situation created since 9/11 has underlined the need for the potential of our community to 'take off'." Retrieved on Jan. 2, 2007
On April 17, 2004, Tahir was the chief guest speaker for the Pakistan American Association of Southern New England (PAASNE). Retrieved on Dec. 31, 2006
On June 23, 2005, Tahir was on a panel hosted by the Islamic Center of New England to discuss the work of Imam Dr. Talal Eid, Th. D., and his paper on "Marriage, Divorce and Child Custody As Experienced By American Muslims: Religious, Social and Legal Considerations", with a special focus on reflecting "on the issues concerning Muslim women in America." Retrieved on Dec. 31, 2006
Prayer Hall Food Pantry
Tahir maintains that helping the needy is not charity but a duty demanded by Islam. "From birth to death there are thousands of human needs. Most are fulfilled by education and employment. Everyone should do whatever he/she can. It is not a charity. It our duty and the right of those who do not have. It is Islam." Retrieved on Jan. 3, 2007 In accord with these beliefs he has made it an annual tradition to donate turkeys to the Prayer Hall Hooksett food bank (where he serves on the board of directors) to provide meals for 400 residents in Manchester, Hooksett and Auburn.
Honors On May 19, 2001, at Gaithersburg, Maryland, the Pakistan Association of Greater Washington (a group that "focuses on issues facing the Pakistani-American Community, specially relating to our first immigrant generation") honored Tahir with a Community Achievement Award for his accomplishments. The Lt. Governor of Maryland, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, sent a message in recognition of Tahir's accomplishments. "You stand as a role model and symbol of encouragement to everyone to never stop short of reaching our goals. Your leadership and vision are a tremendous asset to the continued growth and achievement of the Pakistan community." Retrieved on Dec. 2, 2007 Masood Khan, the Political Counselor of the Pakistan Embassy, attended to represent his ambassador. Retrieved on Jan. 2, 2007
In March 2004, Tahir was honored by the Pakistani American Congress (PAC), "an umbrella organization of 57 nationwide Pakistani groups", as one of the Pakistani Americans who "fought many odds to lead America towards a 'more perfect democracy'." He gave a speech documenting his "struggles and road to success" after receiving the award. Retrieved on Jan. 2, 2007
Criticism After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Pakistan American Association of North America (PAANA) condemned the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) led by Tahir. In December 2001, they maintained that the OPF's statement that "Pakistanis are not discriminated in US, nor being harassed by the law-enforcement agencies, or threatened by the locals", was false. They "pointed out that after Sept. 11, one Pakistani citizen was murdered last month in Dallas, Texas, a former Pakistani journalist was beaten in New York City, one Pakistani student was beaten in the INS Deportation Cell in the presence of INS officials, several other beating cases were reported from other parts of the United States. More than 165 Pakistanis were arrested by the FBI on suspicion of connection with WTC attack, most of them were shifted to INS in violation of the law." They stressed that Tahir "does not represent the Pakistani community in the United States". Retrieved on Jan. 2, 2007
Delegation to Pakistan As a Muslim Pakistani-American elected official, Tahir has been working to strengthen understanding between Americans of all backgrounds, and "Since September 11th Pakistanis in the USA have been working very hard to educate non-Muslims about Islam, Jihad, Pakistan and also Afghanistan."Retrieved on Dec. 26, 2006 After the attacks of September 11, 2001 Tahir "felt compelled to try to ease the tension between the two countries" of Pakistan and the USA. Tahir was impressed when after the attacks of 9-11 New Hampshire leaders reached out to him and others among the small population of local Muslims. "The mayor, the police chief, the attorney general, a Jewish rabbi offered protection or sponsored events to promote public understanding". Tahir has long maintained that the example of co-existence in the US could help end factionalism in Pakistan, "If all the religions and communities of the world can live and prosper in USA, why can't we do it in Pakistan? It is real Islam." Retrieved on Jan. 3, 2007