SocalMoslem

Name: SocalMoslem Location: Anaheim, CA

A little about me

Affad Shaikh, is the Civil Rights Manager for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Los Angeles office. He is a UCSD alum, graduating with a BA in International Studies: Political Science. Born in Pakistan and raised in Los Angeles, right-wing Neo-cons call him a REBEL ISLAMIST performing stealth jihad by blogging on race, identity, and civil rights. When I am not rebel rousing, I enjoy surfing, visiting California's state parks and the national parks.

I would describe myself as a

blogger

Why I deserve a Netroots Nation Scholarship

I had the pleasure of attending Netroots Nation last year in Pittsburgh and I found it an amazing source of content, motivation and people. Having worked in non-profit for several years its difficult to attend conferences unless its work related. Having to sacrifice my vacation time, I hope at the least I could get assistance by being a Netroots Nation Scholar. (Also, there seems to be a huge lack of Muslim/South Asian presence.)

I manage these blogs

This American Muslim

The blogs I use most are

Muslim Matters- Becuase Muslims matter
Sepia Mutiny- Everything South Asian

What first inspired me to get involved

I started blogging seriously after I left college. My friends missed having our long night sessions on politics, religion, history and everything in between- so I saw the blog as a means of continuing those conversations. Soon I got people all over the Muslim community reading it. They would stop me at events to tell me they liked my blog. Then I got on the radar of some right-wing conservative nut jobs who created a profile on my "radical tendencies." Not being the one to be intimidated I stepped up my blogging.

How I've gotten others involved

I inspired people to care. Most of the Muslim community is scared to speak up, to step up and to act out. I bring in my experience with real life civil rights cases, the trends and the issues I see to help educate people on how to challenge the "secondary screening" humiliation they experience at airports, to file lawsuits against the government if they are being denied their citizenship. I think most important to my blogging is that I define myself not as a "blog leader" but rather as a "civic leader" who sees that blog as a means to engage Muslims on issues that might not directly affect them but fall under the religious obligations of Muslims to stand up for justice and to protect those who need protection. I believe that when couched in religious perspectives Muslims will be keen to see things like Immigration- in particular the Dream Act- or environmental protection as civic and religious responsibilities.

The blog post I am most proud of

http://affadshaikh.blogspot.com/2010/02/bieng.html

Why I think participation in the blogosphere is important

If a someone has an interest in you, they will search you on Google, stumble on your blog, read what you have to say, know your interests, see your pics, and realize how intelligent and thoughtful you are (or not!). No harm is done if there is no interest. But if there is interest, you're already half way to hooking up. The next time you see them, there will be plenty to talk about, because they read your blog. People are always attracted to people that have something relevant to say.

More about my involvement with DFA and local work

No I was not an active member, I had heard about DFA through facebook, but did not get around to connecting.

More about my volunteer work

Yes, outside of my work I serve as a board intern for the Pacific Asian American Counseling Services, a non-profit advocating and providing mental health care to marginalized and poor segments of the Asian Pacific Islander American community.

My Twitter manifesto on online activism

I take that statement to post on the internet- blog, facebook, twitter- requesting friends to send some underwear to the White House.

My suggested bumper sticker slogan

If you don't vote, don't complain.

My idea for a cool new online action

A Blog-a-thon. A non-stop blogging experience on an issue that involves a continuous conversation.