Year End "State of ASAAL" letter for the year 2024!

Alliance of South Asian American Labour (ASAAL) logo

To My Esteemed Sisters and Brothers of ASAAL,             

January 2025 - Once more, the beautiful Holiday Season is upon us! People from all over the World are celebrating these occasions in their unique way. Under the new normal, what we do locally impacts globally! We, as your National Executive Council President and Secretary, want to extend our best wishes to you and your entire family.

2024 has been a good year of success for the Alliance of South Asian American Labor (ASAAL). We were very active in our organizing efforts. We have continued to grow and organized our 21st Chapter in Houston, Texas. This year our 17th Annual Convention was held on December 13-14, at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. This convention was historic because it was the first held outside of New York City and was held for two days, not one day, as we did for the last 16 conventions.

Maf Misbah Uddin, Founder and President of ASAAL, presided over the entire convention. Mohammed Karim Choudhury, the National Secretary of ASAAL conducted the convention as the master of ceremony. The host Committee Chair and the President of ASAAL US Capital Chapter President Mohammed Sharafat Hussain also aided in running the convention. The Convention Committee Chair Dr. Mostofa Sarwar, Ph. D. Prof. Emeritus, University of New Orleans delivered the opening speech with a thunderous ovation from the audience. He said, “In my life, I have participated in many Conventions and Conferences and organized some others, but nothing is more important than this one. The need to bring South Asians together was always there but finally, it was brought to the right level at this 17th ASAAL convention of which I’m very proud to be part. I only see my humble involvement in moving it to the future. I urge everyone to join this great organization!”

This year the theme of the Convention was "We Fight to Live and Live to Fight". This was the most appropriate theme in the context of the ongoing politics that we are facing today. Specifically with the reelection of Trump and his Project 2025! We have seen how President Trump has ruled during his first term, the spread of vicious hatred against immigrants, women, Muslims, and minorities. He has supported white supremacy, misogyny, bigotry, and wanton hatred everywhere he goes! He only knows how to govern with fear, demagoguery, division, and ignorance.

The Convention was attended by over 300 delegates, guests, and print & electronic media personnel. There was also strong support and participation by organized labor from District Council 37, Local 54, Local 154, Local 371, Local 372, Local 983, Local 891, CWA Local 1180, SEIU Local 1199, Local 1321, Local 1407, Local 1930, NYSAFL-CIO, NYC Central Labor Council, RWDSU, Teamsters Local 237, and Local 808, UFT, PSC-CUNY, CBTU National, CBTU NYC, NAACP, The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), and the NYS Nurses Association. This year our main sponsor was our Life Member Mr. Shah Nawaz, Founder & President of the Shah Nawaz Group. We were also supported by M-3 Technologies, UTC Associates, Grey & Grey LLP, Khalil Biryani House, S&P Accountants and Consultants, Winston Financial, and many other friendly organizations.

President Uddin made the State of ASAAL remarks, stating that we must unite, organize, register, campaign, educate, and vote to counter-act the potentially dangerous President-Elect Donald Trump. President Uddin went on to say that to be effective in the movement we must not be self-centered but instead be the center of everyone around us. Organizing, volunteering, and voting are important but with the creation of the ASAAL PAC we believe we have added another important component in our effort to help our candidates in all decision-making entities.

Secretary Mohammed Karim Chowdhury introduced all 21 Chapters present at the convention. He congratulated everyone for joining this historic convention. He said 16 years ago a legendary Labor Leader created this organization with his vision to make it a bridge between our communities and mainstream politics. This convention with your participation shows we all are going to fulfill our American dream through this movement.

Guest remarks were made by Aziz Ahmed, CEO of UTC Associates, Shah M. Nawaz, CEO of the Shah Nawaz group and Chairman of the ASAAL PAC, Mr. Nasim Ali, CFO & CEO, ASAAL PAC, Rehan Reza--President of ASAAL Kansas, Rashidul Islam-Member activist of the North Carolina Democratic Party, Hon. Sheikh Rahman--State Senator of Georgia, Anthony Harmon, President NAACP in New York State, Fareed Michelin, Director of Organizing, DC 37, and Javier Soto, Vice President, Local 54 and LCLAA.

There were numerous videos of prominent politicians: Senate Majority Leader Hon. Charles Schumer, Senator, Hon. Kirsten Gillibrand, President Pro-Temp and Senate Majority Leader Hon. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Attorney General Hon. Letitia James, State Comptroller Hon. Tom DiNapoli, City Comptroller Hon. Brad Lander, Congressman Don Beyer, VA-8, Congresswoman Hon. Grace Meng, NY-6, Congressman-elect Suhas Subramanyam, VA-10, and State Senator Hon. John C. Liu and many others.

The Awards Ceremony included the Reverend Terrence Melvin, President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and Secretary-Treasurer of the NY State-AFL-CIO, Rose Lovaglio-Miller, Associate Director of DC 37, Shah M. President and CEO of the Shah Nawaz Group. John Piscatelli, Founder and President of M-3 Technologies and Md. Khalilur Rahman, Proprietor and President of the Khalil Biryani House.

Our Honoree Mr. John Piscatelli, by profession an Actuary, Founder, and President of M-3 Technologies announced the “President Maf Misbah Uddin Scholarship” to be given to five (5) fee-paying Student Members with a $1,000 award per winner one time in a year who goes to a 2- or 4-year accredited College or University with the ability to apply every year.

The seminars consisted of Organizing the Unorganized-Pass the Pro-Act now. And South Asians in America's future of our youth. More than 300 individuals attended this great event. The convention concluded with a beautiful cultural program and delicious cuisine provided by the Sheraton Hotel.

In conclusion, the future of the ASAAL movement rests on your direct participation and active role in shaping issues of critical importance to all of us – You Are The ASAAL! The progress of our great community depends on our hard work, sacrificing our time, volunteering for a cause, and devoting all that we have to the greater good of our community. Always be positive no matter what your circumstances may be. "Even though the world may not be smiling at you, be sure to show your smile to the entire world."

In the year 2024 please accept our sincere appreciation for your hard work, dedication, and leadership. Be safe, be brave, be confident, be optimistic, and we all will win, together! I and the Chapter Officers, and the National Executive Council Members of ASAAL wish you Happy Holidays, peace, health, happiness, and a prosperous New Year 2025!

Fraternally Yours

Maf Misbah Uddin                                                   Mohammed K. Chowdhury