Ali draws inspiration from Obama’s nomination

When Del. Saqib Ali (D-Gaithersburg) ran for a position in the state General Assembly in 2006 he faced challenges that most politicians do not face.

"Some people said to me ‘you have a funny name' and ‘you are a Muslim,'" Ali told PolitickerMD.com.  "They said just go home. Don't run."

Ali, who is of Pakistani and Indian descent, even had to deal with a protester who sat outside his home one-day in the summer of 2006 carrying a sign and shouting derogatory comments about Ali's religion.

Despite that incident, Ali said he was confident that "the people of Montgomery County would judge me on my ideas" in the 39th Legislative District.

After a successful primary campaign where he unseated incumbent Del. Joan Stern, Ali joined the victorious Democratic slate in the general election, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Maryland state legislature.

Ali was an early supporter of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, telling PolitickerMD.com that the Illinois Democrat's opposition to the war in Iraq "when it counted" was instrumental to his decision.

Now, Ali said he is "excited" and "thrilled" that Obama has become the presumptive Democratic nominee.

"I'll do everything I can to help him," Ali said.

 "It's a reflection on the rest of society," Ali said of Obama's nomination. "Elected officials have to reflect the diversity of the country."

"Marylanders and Americans are fair people," Ali added. "They judge people on their character."