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Anila Ali

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Nationality
  
American

Religion
  
Islam

Children
  
Daniyal Ali, Sara Ali

Role
  
Author

Citizenship
  
United States

Spouse(s)
  
Karim Ali

Name
  
Anila Ali

Books
  
Mommy, Am I a ....?

Anila Ali wwwtrbimgcomimg53078d9aturbinetndptme0220
Occupation
  
Author, Philanthropist and Politician

Residence
  
Irvine, California, United States

Profiles

Nurse anila ali bardai 2013 international neonatal nursing excellence award


Anila Ali is a Pakistani-American philanthropist, author, activist and politician. She grew up in Pakistan and was educated in London, United Kingdom. She moved to California in the mid 90s, where she became an important figure in the Pakistani community in America. She founded many organisations that have helped interfaith relations in the United States, and has regularly featured in the media as a result.

Contents

She wrote the book, Mommy Am I A..?, which is frequently used to discuss and demonstrate cultural differences. In 2014, it was announced that she would be running for election in the California's 74th State Assembly district.

Early life

Ali was born in Karachi, Pakistan. Her father was a journalist and diplomat, while her mother was a teacher and philanthropist.

She was educated in the 1980s in London, United Kingdom. Ali became involved in various community service projects while studying in the UK, and became an active youth leader for the All Pakistan Women's Association. While in London, Ali regularly featured in the media in London based magazines and Pakistani newspapers for South Asians. She also regularly gave speeches at the age of 16 at speakers corner in Hyde Park on a Sunday. Ali's most memorable experiences include the Queen's Ball at Buckingham Palace for diplomats and meeting Princess Diana. Ali went o Bousfield Elementary, Holland Park school, and Hammersmith and West London College for her 'O' and 'A' Levels.

Career

After spending much of her early life in England and Pakistan she relocated to the United States, in 1996. She moved to Orange County, California, where she studied a master's degree in Education at Concordia University. Ali's ear years in America set her course for the future. She regularly volunteered in her children's schools and offered her educational consultancy for free to new families moving in to Irvine. She was regularly seen mentoring newer immigrants on education, housing, and community services. Ali's passion for education led her to Lakeside Middle School, Irvine where she taught as a Resource Aide and then encouraged by her colleagues, she decided to get her credentials and a Masters Degree in Education from Concordia University in Irvine. After a short teaching stint in Irvine at various schools which included, Myford Elementary, Culverdale Elementary, and substitute teaching at University High, she decided to teach English and writing at a South Bay middle school. Yet, her association with her city remained active as she joined the Irvine Public Schools Foundation and served on the board for many years until she ran for office in 2014. To help IPSF raise funds for the critical programs like art and music, Ali founded Irvine Pakistan Parents Association, IPPA. IPPA's goal was to raise money for the schools in Irvine through the promotion of Arts and Culture of South Asia. Her organization has engaged hundreds of parents in serving the community. https://ipsf.net/newsletters/09winter.pdf Another successful event engaging kids from all over OC that IPPA started, is the Jeopardy Challenge. This brought many different communities together and helped raise money for IPSF. Her organization with immense support form the community, also started the first cricket T20 Tournament in Irvine to raise money for Irvine schools. Cricket, a game enjoyed by many cultures brought the Irvine community together in multicultural harmony. After September 11, Ali became an active member of the Council of Pakistan American Affairs. Ali campaigned in her community to promote engagement and engage people in cultural exchanges. After becoming naturalized citizen which she calls a milestone in her life, Ali noticed that she was being stopped at the border and decided to bring attention to the issue. She documented her findings and experiences in the form of a documentary alongside Zuhair Mahd. The film was produced by Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHRGJ) at the New York University School of Law. The documentary is titled Americans on Hold: Profiling, Prejudice, and National Security reveals the harmful effects of prejudicial and ineffective U.S. counter-terrorism and immigration policies. Ali is an advocate of protecting the rights of minorities around the world, especially an advocate of equality and justice for women in Pakistan. She doesn't hesitate to speak her mind, see her op-eds in OC Register and American Thinker. moreover, she meets regular with members of the House Foreign Relations Committee, the White House to highlight the plight of minorities around the world. Locally, between 2007 and 2008, Ali helped mobilize the community of Irvine and Orange County and raised over $100,000 dollars to assist to political candidates, Sukhee Kang and Barack Obama. Kang became the first Asian mayor of Irvine, and Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. Following President Obama's election, Ali was invited to attend the Iftar at The White House, where she presented a copy of her book, Mommy am I a...? to the President. Recently, Ali has supported the friendship between India and Pakistan. In 2009, Ali was the recipient of the 2009 International Leadership Foundation Award, for her community service work and outreach to the mainstream community. She is also the recipient of many Congressional awards and also recognition from LAPD Counter Terrorism, and the LA Sheriff's Department. Ali works closely with all law enforcement agencies on issues concerning Muslims in America- particularly those affecting women. Ali writes and comments on issues that affect Muslims in America and voices her opinions on foreign policy matters regularly. She speaks on Islam, Muslims in America, women's rights, and many other issues and works with many Interfaith groups. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-cost-of-fighting-extremism/2015/10/13/6d8de502-705c-11e5-ba14-318f8e87a2fc_story.html Ali has the distinct honor of being a panelist at the White House Summit on Violent Extremism in February 2015, She spoke at the White House as an American Muslim teacher, and leader and shared her thoughts on how to counter extremism with Vice President Biden at a countable meeting. She's writes extensively on how to counter extremism and stop radicalization. Ali also founded the American Muslim Women's Empowerment Council AMWEC in partnership with LAPD Counterterrorism. Her organization works with all government agencies in helping empower women and engage them in public service. Recently, AMWEC board passed a resolution to support all government agencies in countering extremism and engaging and informing Muslim American women. Ali's work and her passion means she travels frequently with law enforcement in supporting their efforts in countering extremism. She can be seen and heard on this video: http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4528891/cve-la-model


She wrote a children's book, "Mommy am I a" in late 2010. The book is an interfaith book, which discusses tolerance of differing backgrounds, after her daughter was called a terrorist in school. The book is frequently used throughout the United States by teachers and school districts to open discussions about tolerance and cultural understanding.

Ali is also known to work in the fields of human rights and gender equality. She has spoken up in the media in recent years about gender issues in both Iran and Pakistan, and also condemned the Mumbai terrorist attacks. In May 2011, Ali's supported President Obama for hunting down of Osama Bin Laden. Her support and op-ed was printed in the New York Times, the day after his death. Her bold move as a Pakistani-American, saw her website hacked and received threats from the "Taliban Boys". Her white paper on the Radicalization of Muslim Youth was submitted to The White House. Many of her op-eds have been published by major newspapers.

Ali was elected as a delegate in 2012, and represented her 45th Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention. It made her the first Pakistani to be elected from Orange County.

She was elected as a Delegate out of a long pool of candidates in 2012 and represented her 45th Congressional District, CA at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. She was the first Pakistani to be elected from Orange County. She was also featured in the Orange County Register as the Democratic Delegate.

Ali ran for California's 74th Assembly District 74, when the Republican incumbent was termed out and came very close to winning. A candidate called Karin Onofre filed her papers the night before the filing closed. Karin was a Republican and had asked to mentor young Republicans just days before becoming a Democrat and filing to split the Democratic vote. Ali got votes in excess of 12000+ and was hailed as "one of the best candidates" by Democratic supporters. Ali has bi-partisan support as well. Many Republican women and Undecideds had voted for her. She came third after the "fake" democratic candidate divided the Democratic vote. The top two GOP mayors of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach would have lost had Onofre not entered the race to split the Democrats. Thus the Democrats felt like they got disenfranchised from the November 2014 Elections as they are forced to choose between two Republicans when their choice was clear. Ali was the only candidate endorsed by the Democratic Party. Ali plans to run again in 2106. According to her website, Ali will be releasing a book in 2014. The book is expected to be based on the oppression of women in Muslim countries and denial of their God-given rights in Islam and to be titled Three Steps Behind. She is currently running for the 74th Assembly District of California.

Ali's work and leadership of the Muslim community led her to the White House in February 2015, when President Obama invited community leaders, law enforcement, Interfaith, and educators to the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism. Ali was chosen by LAPD, FBI, and DHS to represent the community on a panel that showcased the best practices model of Los Angeles. Through the efforts of the Muslim community and law enforcement, Los Angeles model has become a model to build on for the rest of the United States. It's a relationship based on trust and has taken years to build. Muslims work to work capacity within their communities to become the first line of defense against extremism. They work with non-profits, community organizations, Interfaith organizations, and build a spirit of community with all those around them. Muslims also build leadership in their youth and women who become partners in combating extremism. The #CVE model, faced some opposition but is accepted by the majority of Muslims. The fact that Muslims are included in policy making decisions, is in itself, proof that they are included in the conversation and not excluded. See Ali's op-ed: http://pakistanlink.org/Opinion/2015/Feb15/27/03.HTM Now, Ali is a proponent of working with law enforcement and community organizations in keeping America safe, within and without. Ali regularly conducts talks at temples, churches and other political and non-profit, organizations that invite her to speak.

Philanthropy

Ali has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Irvine Public School Foundation. She is also a member and founder of Irvine Pakistani Parents Association, a non-profit which aims to raise money for public schools, within the city of Irvine. Ali is the chair of the International Leadership Foundation, ILF, an organization led by Chiling Tong. The American Muslim Women's Empowerment Council, was also founded by Ali to promote civic awareness and encourage American Muslim women to run for public office and get integrated in mainstream politics and public service.Ali has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Irvine Public School Foundation. She is also a member and founder of Irvine Pakistani Parents Association, a non-profit which aims to raise money for public schools, within the city of Irvine. Ali is the OC Adviser of the International Leadership Foundation, ILF, an organization led by Chiling Tong. ILF promotes leadership in Asian American youth and trains them to get engaged in civic life by providing scholarships and internships in 19 federal government agencies and the executive offices of the President and the Vice President. The American Muslim Women's Empowerment Council, was also founded by Ali to promote civic awareness and encourage American Muslim women to run for public office and get integrated in mainstream politics and public service.Ali serves on the community advisory board of The Olive Tree Initiative at the University of California Irvine. This initiative promotes a dialogue and understanding of students who want to understand the conflict zones. Students of all backgrounds hold meaningful dialogues and engage in discussions on and off the campus. Moreover, they visit the conflict zones and meet the decision makers both in Washington DC and abroad. The initiative has blossomed into a most effective tool to create an understanding and appreciation of cultures. Ali's love for education, led her to open the first online degree college in Pakistan, Calpak Educational Services, to make the dream of American education available in Pakistan at a fraction of the cost and provides young people, especially girls,an opportunity to pursue higher education through Coastline Community College and Cal State Fullerton, California. This is the first venture of its kind and will revolutionize the way people think. Ali's aim is to help close the gender gap and wage gap for women in the workplace in Pakistan, by working with multinationals and enrolling girls in certificate programs from Coastline and business degree from Cal State Fullerton.

AMWEC engages American Muslim women in civic leadership and helps integrate them into mainstream life. The foundation has featured in both the LA Times and Fox's Good Morning LA.

Books

  • Mommy am I a? (2010)
  • www.mommyamia.com

    References

    Anila Ali Wikipedia