PAL-C Congratulates Pakistani-American Moina Shaiq on being named state senator's 'woman of the year'

By Lisa Fernandez, Mercury News   |   March 19, 2008

State Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) has picked a Muslim community activist from Fremont as "woman of the year" in her district.

Moina Shaiq, 49, active in Fremont's largest mosque - the Islamic Society of the East Bay, and co-founder of the Muslim Support Network, which provides linguistic and cultural outreach, transportation and health services, was told of the honor Feb. 12.

Shaiq will receive a breakfast in Sacramento and a tour of the senate floor and will be honored at a reception held by the women's caucus.

"I felt very overwhelmed and humbled on getting this recognition," Shaiq said in a release from Corbett's office. "I feel very honored because my goal is to work toward the common good of the community. I want to build bridges and contribute to our community as much as I can."

Corbett's 10th Senate District includes the cities of San Leandro, Fremont, Hayward, Union City, Pleasanton, Milpitas and Newark and part of San Jose, as well as the communities of Castro Valley, San Lorenzo and Sunol.

Shaiq said she was nominated by Ray Grimm of Fremont's Human Services Department. The two have worked together for years on issues regarding how to help aging immigrants, especially from Pakistan, where Shaiq emigrated from in 1978.

Shaiq also said she knows Corbett from her various volunteer activities and community events the two have attended.

In addition to her work with the Muslim community, Shaiq is chair of Fremont's Human Relations Commission, the vice president of the Tri-City Homeless Coalition, a board member of the Washington Hospital Foundation and a member of the Fremont Alliance for a Hate-Free Community.

Shaiq holds bachelor's degrees in economics and psychology. And before delving into community activism, she ran a computer sales business.

Shaiq and her husband Mohammad, a residential real estate developer, have lived in Fremont for 25 years. They have four children.

Contact Lisa Fernandez at lfernandez@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5002.

The Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) is a professional Pakistani-American advocacy organization with an office located on Capitol Hill. It launched the Congressional Pakistan Caucus in May 2004 and works to raise awareness about Pakistani-American interests in Washington policy circles. Our activities include facilitating the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, liaising Pakistani officials and the community with Members of Congress, and mobilizing all Pakistani-Americans at the grassroots level. If you wish to learn more about PAL-C, please visit our website www.pal-c.org or email us at info@pal-c.org.

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