Bruce Blakeman: “Protecting Muslim Religious Rights, Mosques and Islamic Schools Will Be Among My Top Priorities If Elected Governor”
Islamic Scholar Sajjad Madni Announces Support for Bruce Blakeman, Citing His Practical Steps in Support of the Muslim Community
Major Pakistani American Community Gathering Held at Nasir Faizi’s Residence; Bruce Blakeman Addresses Muslim Community Concerns and Outlines His Vision for New York
Brooklyn, New York (By Manzoor Hussain)
Nassau County Executive and Republican candidate for New York Governor Bruce Blakeman has said that Muslims and followers of all religions living in the United States have the right to practice their faith freely. He emphasized that protecting mosques, Islamic schools and religious institutions, maintaining law and order through effective policing, and ensuring a safe environment for all residents would remain among his key priorities. He stated that, if elected Governor of New York, he would work within the authority of his office to protect the rights of Muslim and other religious and ethnic communities throughout the state.
Blakeman expressed these views while addressing a large gathering hosted at the beautiful residence of Nasir Faizi, a prominent Pakistani American figure in Nassau County, senior Republican Party leader, and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who has been providing professional services in Brooklyn for more than three decades. The gathering was attended by prominent members of the Pakistani American community, religious scholars, political and social leaders, and representatives from various walks of life.
Addressing the gathering, Blakeman said that he had always placed importance on cooperation with the Muslim community and promoting mutual respect in Nassau County. He noted that an annual Ramadan Iftar dinner tradition had been established in the county, bringing together hundreds of people every year. The event, he said, provides an opportunity for individuals from different faiths and communities to come together and strengthen interfaith harmony.
He said that Pakistani and other Muslim families had come to the United States in search of better opportunities and a brighter future. Parents want their children to receive an education, succeed in life, and build their future in a safe society. He emphasized that it was the responsibility of public officials to ensure an environment in which families could live freely according to their religious beliefs, cultures and traditions.
Blakeman stated that religious freedom holds fundamental importance in America and every citizen must have the right to practice their religion without restrictions. Referring to his administration in Nassau County, he highlighted the appointment of the county’s first Muslim police chaplain within the Nassau County Police Department. He said the initiative was intended to address the religious needs of the Muslim community and strengthen communication between Muslim residents and law enforcement agencies.
He further stressed that the protection of mosques, Islamic schools and all other religious institutions was essential. Police departments and law enforcement agencies, he said, should take effective measures to safeguard places of worship and educational institutions so that parents could confidently continue their children’s education and upbringing.
Blakeman Criticizes Governor Kathy Hochul’s Policies
Blakeman strongly criticized the policies of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, saying that rising taxes and increasing utility bills were creating serious financial difficulties for ordinary residents. He stated that New York State’s budget was approximately $277 billion, yet many of the problems facing residents remained unresolved despite the state’s substantial financial resources.
He said that the state needed more effective budget management and better financial planning. If elected Governor, he pledged to work toward using taxpayers’ money more effectively for public welfare, essential services, education, public safety and economic development.
According to Blakeman, increases in utility bills over the past four years had made life increasingly difficult for ordinary families. He said that middle- and low-income households were particularly affected by the current administration’s policies.
Blakeman also criticized the Congestion Pricing system implemented in Manhattan, arguing that it had placed an additional financial burden on residents. He expressed concern that similar charges could potentially be extended to other parts of New York City, including Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, further increasing the financial pressure on residents and the business community.
Blakeman Clarifies His Position on Immigration
Speaking about immigration, Blakeman said he was not opposed to immigrants who came to the United States through legal channels. He said he respected individuals who worked hard, followed the law and contributed positively to American society.
He maintained that some of his statements regarding immigration were occasionally presented by the media out of context. According to Blakeman, his opposition was directed toward individuals involved in illegal activities, drug trafficking, human trafficking and serious crimes against women and children.
He emphasized that law-abiding immigrants should be treated with dignity and respect and given opportunities to build their lives, while individuals involved in criminal activities should face legal consequences.
Blakeman further stated that he wanted to see a united society rather than one divided along religious, ethnic or cultural lines. His vision, he said, was to create a society in which people from different religions, nationalities and cultural backgrounds could live together peacefully and contribute collectively toward achieving the American Dream.
Islamic Scholar Sajjad Madni Announces Support for Bruce Blakeman
During the gathering, prominent Pakistani American personality and Islamic scholar Sajjad Madni announced his support for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Madni said that he had personally witnessed Blakeman’s cooperation with the Muslim community and his attention to their religious concerns during his administration.
Sajjad Madni pointed to the appointment of the first Muslim police chaplain in Nassau County, the annual Ramadan Iftar dinner and other initiatives involving Muslim religious affairs as examples of Blakeman’s engagement with the Muslim community.
He said that these practical steps had formed the basis of his decision to announce support for Blakeman. Madni expressed hope that, if elected Governor of New York, Blakeman would continue working to protect the rights and religious freedoms of Muslims, as well as mosques and Islamic educational institutions.
Nasir Faizi Hosts Major Pakistani American Community Gathering
The event was hosted by Nasir Faizi, who warmly welcomed Bruce Blakeman and the distinguished guests. Faizi is a well-known Pakistani American personality in Nassau County and a senior Republican Party leader. He has been serving as a Certified Public Accountant in Brooklyn for more than three decades and remains actively involved in Pakistani American social and community affairs.
Among those attending the gathering were Bruce Blakeman’s Senior Advisor Chaudhry Akram Rahmania, Director of Asian Affairs Aoun Murtaza Naqvi, Pakistan Christian Association President and Chairman William Shahzad, Safdar Humayun Qureshi, Ezra Durr, other Republican Party leaders, Assembly Members, city and state officials, and a large number of Pakistani American community members.
During the gathering, participants discussed a range of important issues, including the religious rights of Muslims, the protection of mosques and Islamic schools, cooperation between law enforcement agencies and local communities, immigration, taxes, utility bills and the future of New York State.
Concluding his remarks, Bruce Blakeman reiterated his vision of a united society in which people of every religion and nationality would enjoy equal respect and freedom. He said that families who came to America in search of a better life deserved an environment in which their children could grow, prosper and look forward to a safe and brighter future.
