The success of communities in large, diverse societies like that of the United States depends on many factors. Most observers would say that a strong political presence is a key determinant of how a community fares in a nation. While it is not essentially his Pakistani origin that drove him to enter or succeed in local politics, M J Khan, Council Member of the City of Houston, is an inspiration for all minorities and emerging communities in the US, and foremost for the Pakistani community.

Mr. Khan is a full time city council member who works tirelessly to address citizen complaints and concerns, and strives to make the process more efficient and accessible. Mr. Khan's primary focal areas are crime and capital improvement projects in District F. Mr. Khan was elected to Houston City Council District F in December 2003. He holds an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois, and an MBA from Rice University. Mr. Khan is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and the president of MAK Development, Inc., a real estate development company in Houston. Mr. Khan has a long record of community service, including his service on the Small Business Advisory Board of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. He has also served as the president of the Pakistan American Association of Greater Houston and vice-president of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston.

M J Khan, Council Member, City of Houston

You're a professional engineer and MBA, with a successful business. Why enter local politics?

Community service has always been critically important in my life. Public service to me is a natural extension of my decades long passion for patriotism, principles and making a positive impact in the lives of those that make their homes in the communities that I am elected to represent. 

In the past, you served on the Small Business Advisory Board of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, under the then Governor Bush. How was that experience?

This was a tremendous opportunity to learn the various facets of our state and local levels of government, and to make positive policy contributions for emerging and minority entrepreneurs in all areas across our state.

My campaign was not the start of my involvement in communities which I was running to represent. For dozens of years and especially through my campaign I stressed relentlessly to voters throughout my diverse district what I had in common with them. It was our collective neighborhood concerns that fueled folks from every race, religion and ethnic origin to join my team. My campaign crossed culture barriers. We stressed neighborhood issues. I am proud of my heritage as I believe everyone should be proud of their heritage but I also believe no one should hold public office nor be rejected from public office because of their race, religion or ethnic origin.

The beauty of what was achieved in my campaign is the understanding that Pakistani Americans are an extremely insignificant factor of the overall vote in my voting district. This district is primarily Hispanic in general population, extremely diverse and here the voting population tends to be elderly church-going conservative and US Armed Forces veterans, Caucasian American born home owners and couples. There are a lot of minority occupied apartments across my district that we reached out to and provided for them, and many immigrants or naturalized Americans, a voice and reason to vote; but we knew historically they are less likely to vote in local municipal elections.

The Pakistani American Community that lives in my district contributed incredibly to my campaign by voting for me. My friends from throughout the American Muslim and Pakistani American Community communities also helped my campaign by providing countless hours of volunteerism for canvassing neighborhoods, putting up signs, working phone banks and innumerable other areas that made my success possible. Pakistani Americans and those that were born in south Asia achieved pride in working on my campaign but we knew from the start their votes were not what was going to win the election.

While it has enabled you to do a lot for the American society in general, what are some specific benefits you see for Pakistani Americans from your presence on Houston's City Council?

My pledge upon taking this public office was to serve all the people of my district without regard to their or my race, religion or ethnic origin. My commitment is to all my constituents. Nevertheless if my being American of Pakistani origin motivates some folks in that community, especially the young and first generation Americans to become more cognizant of the civics that do dictate their lives and the local political process, then it has served a positive good for Pakistani Americans.

My election did result in tremendous interest in Americans of Pakistani and Muslim origin to become more involved in earning their own places in the political process. Today there are more than 60 Democratic and Republican Precinct Chairmen throughout the Houston region that were inspired perhaps from my political foothold.

You have also served as the Vice President of the Islamic Society and President of Pakistani American Association of Greater Houston. What are some of the accomplishments you feel proud of and what lessons for improvement have you taken away from your experience?

I served as vice president of the ISGH and as president of PAGH and as such my motivation was to include those of Islamic and Pakistani origin more in the civics that surround them and to get the greater Houston community to know more about Houston's exponentially growing Islamic, Pakistani and Pakistani American communities. Being a bridge between the Islamic Society and Pakistani Americans and Americans of all other origins is ultimately what's important to me.

I also take great pride in having served the needs of these growing communities and now in serving as their representative to city council. During my tenure as President of PAGH in 1986, I managed to endow the M.A. Jinnah Scholarship at the University of Houston. In 1998 I successfully led the community to combat violent crimes in convenience store businesses. I negotiated and signed a historic memorandum of understanding between Houston's Pakistani and Indian communities. I was the spokesman for both American Muslim and Pakistani communities in Houston after the horrific 9-11crime and led efforts to build understanding of the community with others and safeguard the interests of the community.

Do you feel there is a reluctance on the part of most Pakistani Americans to assimilate outside of a mainly Pakistani network? If so, why, and how do you think we can change this mentality?

Every new immigrant group has natural ties to their own motherland and feels initially most comfortable in their comfort zone, with those from a similar culture, customs, language and religious background. It is imperative for us to recognize that it is here where assimilating into the greater society we can benefit and the greater society benefits by our involvement in its politics as well.

What are your overall hopes and ambitions about Pakistan in general, and Pakistani Americans in particular? Where do you want to see us as a nation and community in the next few years?

Americans of Pakistani origin should always be proud of their heritage and grateful for the sacrifices made by the people of Pakistan towards their success. Now, it is here in America where they can have the most impact and which has the most impact on them. Before I ran for public office I remember seeing members of the American Pakistani community argue about the politics and issues in Pakistan but have little interest in the matters, specifically the politics that impact their everyday lives, here in America. It is here where we can vote, that we can make positive change for those that live with us here in this country. It is for those reasons we must play an ever effective, productive role in America. I have great confidence in younger generations that I know will make us proud in their professional, personal and political work.

As far as Pakistan is concerned I will always feel indebted for all those that came before me there and for my family and my ancestors before them. People of Pakistan sacrificed a lot for my success and for that I am ever grateful. I wish Pakistan the best. It is up to the people of Pakistan to make their future the best. I know Pakistan will be a shining example of progress for the whole world.

Anything else you would like to say to our readers?

The world today more than at any other time needs people at every level to play a lead role in being the best humanity can offer for a brighter future for all.

Everyone benefits when each member of society reaches out to improve the lives of all those that make up the society. We all benefit when we work to overcome our own prejudices to inspire others to overcome theirs.