Texan. Muslim. Doctor. Mayor. These are words most people don't put together unless it's part of a joke but all four of them describe one man: Pakistani born Mayor Arjumand Hashmi. Hashmi isn't just a mayor, he's also a cardiologist, and a very beloved figure in the town of Paris, Texas. Paris is a small town, boasting only about 25,000 inhabitants and when Hashmi first ran for office all the usual prejudices were there to meet him. Was he a terrorist? Was he there to drive away the mostly white Christian community? Would he immediately build a mosque? Despite these bigoted concerns, he was voted into office a little over a year ago. The act was a huge blow for unity.
As soon as Hashmi was in office, he began proving his dedication and allaying people's fears. He planted rows of crepe myrtle trees around the city, visiting local businesses when he had the time to do so, and breaking up a lot of the old system of favoritism and "brother-in-law deals" that had led to corruption. The town's old regime had often seen money going to businesses simply because the owner knew someone in office and Hashmi was determined to put a stop to it. Coming from Pakistan, he had seen his homeleand also suffer from such dealings and he knew how much it could destroy a governance.
“In most of third world countries, yes, there are rules and laws and regulations. But it ends up that related people get things done,” Hashmi said. “I have lived it personally and seen why it doesn’t work."
Hashmi isn't just working as the mayor of Paris. He still works full time as a cardiologist too, rushing between surgeries and business meetings. He is also the leader of a local hospital catheterization laboratory. His days normally start at 3:30am with a prayer though he admits he doesn't always manage the five a day that he would like. He feels God will forgive him however since he is saving lives and making his city a better place to live. During his last election to office, he won by a landslide vote.
In today's atmosphere of fear and mistrust, the hurrying figure of Hashim as he heads from the city's waterplant to it's hospital for another surgery is a good sign of change.
As soon as Hashmi was in office, he began proving his dedication and allaying people's fears. He planted rows of crepe myrtle trees around the city, visiting local businesses when he had the time to do so, and breaking up a lot of the old system of favoritism and "brother-in-law deals" that had led to corruption. The town's old regime had often seen money going to businesses simply because the owner knew someone in office and Hashmi was determined to put a stop to it. Coming from Pakistan, he had seen his homeleand also suffer from such dealings and he knew how much it could destroy a governance.
“In most of third world countries, yes, there are rules and laws and regulations. But it ends up that related people get things done,” Hashmi said. “I have lived it personally and seen why it doesn’t work."
Hashmi isn't just working as the mayor of Paris. He still works full time as a cardiologist too, rushing between surgeries and business meetings. He is also the leader of a local hospital catheterization laboratory. His days normally start at 3:30am with a prayer though he admits he doesn't always manage the five a day that he would like. He feels God will forgive him however since he is saving lives and making his city a better place to live. During his last election to office, he won by a landslide vote.
In today's atmosphere of fear and mistrust, the hurrying figure of Hashim as he heads from the city's waterplant to it's hospital for another surgery is a good sign of change.
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