Anila Ali

Anila Ali is a Pakistani-American Philanthropist, Educator, Author, and Politician. She grew up in Karachi, 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, while advocating for multicultural and educational advances in her home town of Irvine, California. She founded non profit organizations that have helped school programs and interfaith relations in the United States. Ms. Ali has regularly been featured in the media.
Anila Ali co authored Mommy Am I A..?, a children's book that demonstrates bullying and helps to define cultural differences. In 2014, she ran for election in the California's 74th State Assembly district. In 2016, she announced that she would run for Irvine City Council.
Early life
Ali was born in Karachi, Pakistan. Her father was a journalist and diplomat and her mother was a teacher and philanthropist.
She was educated in the 1980s in London, United Kingdom. Ali became involved in 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 was regularly featured in London media including magazines and Pakistani newspapers for South Asians. At the age of 16 she regularly gave speeches at speakers corner in Hyde Park on Sundays.
After September 11, Ali became an active member of the Council of Pakistan American Affairs. Ali promoted community inclusiveness and engaged the citizens in cultural exchanges. 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, revealing the harmful effects of prejudicial and ineffective U.S. counter-terrorism and immigration policies. Ali is an advocate for protecting the rights of minorities around the world, especially equality and justice for women in Pakistan. She has met regularly with members of the House Foreign Relations Committee and 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 to raise over $100,000 dollars for 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.
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 and outreach to the mainstream community. She has also received Congressional awards and been recognized by LAPD Counter Terrorism, and the LA Sheriff's Department. Ali works closely with law enforcement agencies on community building, especially Muslims in America, and those women's rights. Ali writes and comments regularly on issues that affect Muslims in America voicing her opinions on foreign policy matters. She is a strong advocate for Islam, Muslims in America, women's rights, Interfaith education and tolerance.
She wrote a children's book, "Mommy am I... a" in late 2010. The subject is interfaith and bullying, and discusses children's misunderstandings of differing backgrounds. Ali was prompted to write this after her daughter was called at terrorist in school. The book has frequently been used throughout the United States by school districts to open discussions about tolerance and cultural understanding.
Ali is also known for her work in the areas of human rights and gender equality. Recently she has addressed gender issues in both Iran and Pakistan, and has condemned the Mumbai terrorist attacks. In May 2011, Ali's supported President Obama for hunting down Osama Bin Laden. Her support and op-ed was printed in the New York Times, the day after Bin Laden's death. Her white paper on the Radicalization of Muslim Youth was submitted to The White House.
Ali was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2012, and represented her 45th Congressional District. She was the first Pakistani to be elected from Orange County. In 2016, Ali was again elected and will be a delegate from her 45th Congressional District to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Ali ran for California's . Keith D. Curry (R) and Matthew Harper (R) defeated Anila Ali (D), Karina Onofre (D) and Emanuel Patrascu (R) in the blanket primary. Harper defeated Curry in the general election.
In her book, "Three Steps Behind", Ms. Ali takes us on a personal journey. She walks us through the dark corridors of oppression, discrimination, and servitude that she experienced under the patriarchal systems of her native Pakistan, and her once adopted land of Saudi Arabia. This unique perspective from Ms. Ali, the daughter of a diplomat, a venerated model, a loving wife, and an educated mother, exposes the hypocrisy of cultural practices and flawed religious interpretations. In vivid detail, Ms. Ali describes the framework for gender inequality and racial intolerance that she and other women commonly experience. Despite suffering everyday humiliations under the unwarranted disguise of religious authority, in settings that revile human rights, the strong willed Ali never lost her focus of securing a future for her children, far away from the toxic systems of both cultures.
In February 2015 Ali had the distinct honor of being a panelist at the White House Summit on Violent Extremism. Recognized as a community leader and American Muslim teacher, she spoke at the White House sharing her thoughts on countering extremism with Vice President Biden. She's writes extensively on how to encourage community building and stop radicalization. Ali founded the American Muslim Women's Empowerment Council (AMWEC) in partnership with LAPD Counter-terrorism. Recently, Ali's articles and OpEds have appeared worldwide on countering violent extremism.
Philanthropy
Ali has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Irvine Public School Foundation. She is a founding member of Irvine Pakistani Parents Association, a non-profit that raises money for local public schools Irvine. Ali is the chair of the International Leadership Foundation, ILF, an organization led by Chiling Tong. ILF promotes leadership in Asian American youth. Young adults receive training and encouragement to become engaged in civic life through 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. AMWEC's goal is to promote American Muslim women's civic awareness and encourage, run for public office and become integrated into mainstream politics. This organization has been recognized for community outreach and featured in the local media LA Times and Fox's Good Morning LA.
Ali serves on the community advisory board of The Olive Tree Initiative at the University of California Irvine. This initiative promotes a dialogue for students to understand the culture and environment of people whose origins reside in international conflict zones. Students of diverse backgrounds hold meaningful dialogues both and off the university campus. Their experiences include visiting the conflict zones and meeting the policy makers both in Washington DC and abroad. The initiative has blossomed into an effective tool to create an understanding and appreciation of differing cultures.
Ali's love for education led her to open the first online degree college in Pakistan, CALPAK Educational Services,. CALPAK makes the dream of American education available and accessible in Pakistan and provide young people an opportunity to pursue higher education. CALPAK'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 Community College and a business degree from Cal State Fullerton.
Books
* Mommy am I a? (2010)
* Three Steps Behind (2014)

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu