Magenta, the candidate for Islamic mayor: «Racism? I only suffer from it in politics “

To boycott his candidacy for mayor of Magenta, a hashtag was even launched, #IoNonVotoMunib. But him, Munib Ashfaq, 35 years old, does not allow himself to be intimidated, and does not slow down his race to become the first Islamic mayor of the city. Born in Pakistan, he has lived in Italy for 21 years. He is accountantworks as a clerk in an accounting firm, he is married and has three children.

How did you come up with the idea of ​​the candidacy?
“I grew up in Magenta and work in the city. The Magentines, starting with my schoolmates and my teachers, up to work colleagues and clients of the studio, often talked to me about the problems of the city: the streets in bad condition, the overpriced nursery, the parking lots built. with the money of the Magentini, but never used, the security problems, the acts of vandalism, the support taken from disabled children. Hearing of all these critical issues made me want to enter politics ».

You are a candidate for the movement “The new Italy”: some say it is an Islamic party.
“No. I was known as the spokesperson for the Abu Bakar Mosque association, which is calling for the establishment of a place of worship. Some have decided to label me and the movement, of which I am also national secretary, precisely for this reason ».

And who are these people?
“Above all, they are politicians afraid of change, who wanted to feed prejudice to hide their mistakes. But the new Italy is not a religious movement. The members include lay people and people of different ethnic backgrounds. But all willing to commit themselves in the interest of the city ».

But you also bring forward the demands of religious groups.
«We try to solve the problems of the Muslim community, but not only. For example, even the Gospel requires a place of worship. The problems of all Magentines, without exception, must be addressed by those who govern the city. Then, of course, I am of foreign origin, and I see many foreigners in difficulty because of their unrecognized rights, and all this has given me the strength to commit myself ».

Why should the Magentines vote for it?
“Even if at times I have been threatened, challenged, criticized, I really want to put myself at the service of the citizens and, with me, there is a group of people who care about the city and who, without fear and without calculating, they threw themselves into the field. Even the journalists are surprised by my knowledge of the problems of the city: I have in mind what all the things are wrong. I put myself on the line, otherwise mine too would have remained empty words ».

He once said, “I never noticed racism until I got into politics.”
«That’s it: 20 years ago I didn’t even know how to say ‘hello’, and the Magentines, to whom I am deeply grateful, taught me everything. It wasn’t until I got into politics that I realized that some administrators are racist. If someone asks for a space for religious prayer, they deny it, even if there are no problems with regulations or laws. But I realized that those who are racist towards the foreigner are also intolerant towards anyone who does not think like him. Racism exists. But it does not concern all Magentines ».

Do you feel magentine?
“I am certainly more Magentino than some idle politicians. If I was born in Pakistan it is not my “fault”. And, in any case, if those 9500 people with the right to vote elect me, the door to dialogue will always remain open, I will also listen to my detractors to confront them. The mayor is for everyone and not just for his own electorate ».

Other stories of Vanity Fair that might interest you:

#stopasianhate: the wave of anti-Asian racism frightens in the US