Sajid Tarar
Sajid Tarar | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Tarar at the 2015 Preakness Stakes | |
| Born | |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater | University of Baltimore |
| Employer(s) | CEO, Center for Social Change |
| Organization(s) | American Muslims for Trump National Diversity Coalition for Trump[1] |
| Known for | Delivering Islamic prayer at 2016 Republican National Convention |
Political party | Republican |
| Movement | Trumpism |
| Children | 4 |
Sajid Tarar is a Pakistani American and Republican activist based in Baltimore. He is the founder of American Muslims for Trump and became known nationally after delivering a benediction at the 2016 Republican National Convention.[2][3] He is the CEO of non-profit private organization Center for Social Change.[4][5]
Early life and career
Tarar is originally from Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan.[6] He moved from Pakistan to the United States in the mid-1980s to attend law school, became a U.S. citizen in the 1990s, and later settled outside Baltimore.[7][8]
After earning his law degree from the Baltimore School of Law, Tarar worked in the finance committee of governors and has also been the president of investment groups.[9]
Political activity
During the 2016 United States presidential election, Tarar founded the pro-Trump group American Muslims for Trump.[10][11] On July 19, 2016, he delivered the closing prayer on the second day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.[12][13][7]
After Donald Trump won the 2016 election, Pakistani officials had approached Tarar as part of their outreach to the incoming administration.[11] In January 2017, Tarar was scheduled to recite Surah al-Fatiha at the National Prayer Service held as part of Trump's inauguration weekend.[14] His participation in the service became part of a broader debate among Muslim leaders over whether engagement with Trump created an opportunity to represent Islam publicly or instead legitimized anti-Muslim rhetoric from his campaign.[15]
Tarar has remained active in commentary about Pakistani-American political engagement and Pakistan–United States relations.[16] He has been involved in fundraising and outreach for Trump's presidential campaign while commenting on the role of Pakistani-American voters.[17]
References
- ↑ "Who We Are". National Diversity Council Trump. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
- ↑ "For American Muslims for Trump's founder, the inauguration is a 'new beginning'". NBC News. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ↑ Hasan Khan. "Trump's Muslim backers celebrate his success". CNN. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ↑ "Leadership – Center for Social Change". Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ↑ Harvard, Sarah A. "This Muslim Immigrant Endorsed Donald Trump's Ban on Muslims — And the Internet Went Wild". Mic. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ↑ Yousaf, Kamran (November 14, 2016). "Through aide, Pakistan reaches out to Trump". The Express Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- 1 2 Hauslohner, Abigail (July 19, 2016). "Meet the Muslim guy who took the convention stage and prayed for Trump". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- ↑ "'Islam is a threat to itself': An interview with the head of Muslims for Trump". NewsComAu. July 24, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ↑ "Who is Sajid Tarar? The Pakistani-American businessman praises PM Modi and makes Lok Sabha poll prediction". The Economic Times. May 15, 2024.
- ↑ Gypson, Katherine (July 20, 2016). "Muslims for Trump Have Their Say at Republican Convention". Voice of America. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- 1 2 Yousaf, Kamran (November 14, 2016). "Through aide, Pakistan reaches out to Trump". The Express Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Sajid Tarar's closing prayer marred by 'No Islam' chant at Republican convention". The Washington Times. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
- ↑ Harvard, Sarah A. (June 26, 2021). "Sajid Tarar of American Muslims for Trump Closed Day 2 of RNC". Mic.
- ↑ Iqbal, Anwar (January 18, 2017). "Trump will not be unfriendly towards Pakistan, says aide". Dawn. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- ↑ Hauslohner, Abigail (January 20, 2017). "Washington-area imam plans to give the Muslim call to prayer at service". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Pakistani Americans still divided over who to back in US polls". Dawn. September 2, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- ↑ Saeed, Aamir (September 14, 2024). "Trump paid no 'heed' to Imran Khan's imprisonment, Pakistani-American aide says". Arab News. Retrieved April 11, 2026.