Rukhama Sayed and Abbas Kazmi: Intergenerational Activism
Organizing and Advocating as a Muslim Family
Rukhama Sayed and Abbas Kazmi: Intergenerational Activism: Organizing and Advocating as a Muslim Family
About Rukhama Sayed
Pronouns: She/her
Location: Duluth, GA
Dedicated to: Social justice, better education for children and helping the community.
Finds joy in: Traveling, shopping, spending time with family and friends.
Inspired by: Imam Hussain Ibne Ali (Grandson of Prophet Muhammad), who fought for all humanity against the tyrant Yazeed.
Frequently used emojis: 🥰 🙏🏽 😝 😬
Self Introduction: I was born in Pakistan and moved to the US when I was 16. I have a Bachelors in Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Masters in Pharmacy from the University of Florida. I have been living in Georgia since 2003. I am married and have two boys. I am active in my Shia Muslim Community and am also active in both the PTSAs of my kids’ schools, serving as the Legislative Chair for Peachtree Ridge High School and Hull Middle School PTSAs. Additionally, I work as a substitute teacher in different Gwinnett County schools.
About Abbas Kazmi
Pronouns: He/Him
Age: 16
Location: Duluth, GA
Dedicated to: Equality
Finds joy in: Screenwriting and movies
Inspired by: my religion
Frequently used emojis: 💀🥱
Self Introduction: I am 16 years old, a junior in high school, and living in Duluth, Georgia. I was born and raised here in Georgia. My parents are from Pakistan. I’m passionate about screenwriting for movies.
Rukhama and Abbas, in conversation with the Asian American Advocacy Fund. This Q&A was edited for grammar and clarity. Photographs are from Rukhama’s personal collection.
What issues are important to your communities?
Abbas: We’re part of a Muslim community in Lilburn,GA called Dar-e ‘Abbas. We’ve been active there ever since I was born. We all know each other in that community. I’m also active in my school community. Stricter gun laws are really important in both communities. We need more safety within schools; there’ve been a lot of gun threats. We also need more representation from the Muslim community within the Georgia government.
Rukhama: I’m active in our mosque, Dar-e ‘Abbas. I’ve also been involved in parent leadership in my childrens’ schools since they were in elementary school, and now in middle school and high school. Safety is concerning in both communities. As Muslims we have a lot of safety concerns. I cover my head so and I am aware that this can sometime be met with discrimination. We need more political awareness so our concerns are heard. In our schools, we need better education, better facilities in schools, and safety is our number one concern.
What values do you stand for and what issues do you care most about?
Rukhama: My most important values are to be kind and respectful, even if you have a difference of opinion. Be honest, be yourself. I hope my sons embrace their roots, of being Muslim and of Pakistani descent. As a parent, the issues around education are really important to me because there is a teacher shortage right now, and the classroom sizes are getting bigger. I am also concerned about gun safety, as sometimes I feel a little scared sending my kids to school and even going to the mall with my family.
Abbas: I try to be nice with other people. I respect other peoples’ cultures and identities at school and everywhere, while also remembering my customs and traditions that my parents taught me. I try to hold them close to me and try not to lose them as I grow older. I’m also really concerned about safety and gun laws. There’ve been a lot of gun threats at schools all over America, and also there’s a big likelihood of gun threats against minorities too. There needs to be something to stand up against that.
What are your political views?
Abbas: Well, I’m 16 so I can’t vote yet, but I do have political views. I take into account diversity, and I try not to be hateful. I don’t like political views that lean towards hatred. I’m inspired by my Mom’s political advocacy.
Rukhama: My views are about respect and equality, and which party is working for the benefit of people instead of spreading hate. I’ve been voting since I got my citizenship in 2002. After 9/11 I became more politically aware of the things around me. It’s been five plus years that I’ve been Legislative Chair on the middle and high school PTAs. I started going to the Capitol a lot to advocate for our children’s education. I said, “I like to meet people,” so I went for it. During the COVID pandemic, there were a lot of families struggling, so we advocated for meals to be free in the cafeteria for all the kids. If there are bills that we think are important, we go to the ropes in the Capitol and find the representative from our area and talk to them about those bills and ask them to advocate for our students. As a minority, that’s why I want to go there and see what is happening and introduce myself, so they know I exist. I want people to know I advocate for our communities and our kids in schools.
What is at stake in this election?
Abbas: People’s rights are at stake. Certain things economically are at stake. Representation is at stake. If you have the right to vote, you should use it. Try to get your voice to be heard. If you don’t, encourage those who do to make sure they use it.
Rukhama: I have school-aged kids, and I know what just happened in Uvalde, Texas in May. Whenever I hear news like that, as a parent, I’m sad because it’s too frequent. I can’t say, “take the guns away,” but we need something! That’s for the elected leaders to figure out. We need stricter laws. I don’t understand how minors have access to guns. There should be some solution to it. We had enough, we’ve lost so many, even small kids. There is a lot at stake in this election, so it’s very important that everyone votes!
What are your hopes for the future?
Abbas: I hope that there isn’t that much persecution and hatred towards minorities or those that are different. There should be more acceptance in the future.
Rukhama: Let’s hope this election goes well and things change to be more inclusive, with more rights for everybody — minorities and women — and more money towards education to do something about the teacher shortage. I’m hoping there will be stricter gun laws and change for the better.
I hope my sons get a good education and I hope they turn out to be good, kind, helpful and respectful human beings.
The Asian American Advocacy Fund is a grassroots 501(c)4 social welfare organization dedicated to building a politically-conscious, engaged, and progressive Asian American base in Georgia.
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#GeorgiaOnMyMind gives voice to diverse perspectives, life experiences, and viewpoints. With a vision for a thriving future, we share this series to shift and shape public narratives about Georgians who care about their communities and are fighting for social justice.
