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12 CITY VIEWS July 4, 2025 www.desitalkchicago.com – that’s all you need to know Candidate For Congress Bushra Amiwala Gathers Community Support In Illinois’ District 9 B ushra Amiwala, a Pakistani-Amer- ican running for the US Congress from Illinois’ 9th District, is hot on the campaign trail, building a diverse coalition to increase her chances of getting to Capitol Hill. According to a press release from Asian Media USA, Amiwala hosted a fundraiser at Khan B.B.Q Restaurant in Little India on Devon Avenue, June 26, 2025. The fundraiser was attended by community leaders, supporters, and activists. Ami- wala displayed the coalition she has built that could propel her to the US Capitol. On her campaign website bushrafor- congress.com , Amiwala describes herself as “an innovative problem solver” who has made history “as the first Gen Z elected official in the United States.” She put her- self through college getting an MBA from Kellogg Northwestern’s School of Manage- ment, and a B.S in Information Systems and a double minor in Community Service Studies and Public Policy Studies from DePaul University. In 2019, she was elected to the Skokie School District 73.5 Board of Education, and re-elected in 2023. According to Ami- wala, her decision to run for Congress was “because the rich are getting richer, the middle class is shrinking, special interest groups are plaguing our elections, there are humanitarian crises worldwide: and our taxpayer dollars are paying for it.” Her District 9, she says, “deserves someone homegrown, and willing to ad- vocate for all of the people who make up the district, not just a select few.” According to the Asian Media USA press release, attendees were diverse, a reflection of the District —58%White (including an estimated 11% Arab Ameri- cans), 15% Asian, 14% Hispanic, 9% Black, and 4% other; and sponsorship tiers ranged from Bronze ($200) to Platinum ($2,000+). Sohan Joshi, Director of the Alliance of Indians in America and North American College, gave a speech endorsing Ami- wala, saying, “Bushra Amiwala is the new generation of leadership we need—ac- tive, intelligent, and ready to represent us inWashington. It’s our job to ensure she wins, and our support will send her to Congress to fight for us.” Zakiuddin Mohammad, Vice Chancel- lor of North American College and a direc- tor at the Alliance of Indians in America, echoed Joshi’s enthusiasm. “We’re here to raise funds and build a movement for Bushra,” Mohammad said. “Her cam- paign for District 9 is about uplifting every voice in this diverse community. With the support of Khan B.B.Q and our dedicated team, we’re confident she’ll make a differ- ence.” Sufyan Feroze, who drove from Naper- ville with his wife Neha Shagufta, de- scribed Amiwala’s race as historic. “Bushra is the youngest Muslim congressional candidate for District 9, and I believe in her vision,” Feroze said. “I urge everyone to show up, donate generously, and join this movement. She’s here to make a dif- ference, not just history.” Amiwala addressed the gathering with a message of unity and action. “Assalamu alaikum, peace be upon you all,” she be- gan. “I’ve served this community for seven years, from education to nonprofit work, and now I’m running to represent Illinois’s 9th District in Congress. We’re facing a national crisis, and I’m committed to fighting for healthcare over medical bank- ruptcies, education over student debt, and housing over homelessness. I refuse to be bought in this election—my priority is the everyday voices of this district.” Among Amiwala’s recognitions over her career, are being recognized as Glamour Magazine’s CollegeWoman of the Year, Seventeen Magazine’s Voice of the Year, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. She is also an International Peace Ambassador Award recipient from the United Nations, the Asian Media USA press release said. By a StaffWriter 7th Annual Mandala Festival Showcases South Asian Performing Arts In September Global Indian Diaspora Foundation To Host Pre-Release Screening Of The Bengal Files In Chicago T he Mandala South Asian Performing Arts organization, which is celebrating 10 years of connecting audiences with the variety of traditions from South Asia, will hold its seventh Mandala Makers Festival later this year. This annual platform for supporting multidis- ciplinary South Asian performing artists takes place September 5–7 at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, Chicago. The Mandala Makers Festival is known for encouraging artists who progress and challenge traditions of the South Asian diaspora, a press release from the organization said. The three programs this September include classical and contemporary dance; classical, folk, and contemporary music; Bollywood dance; and, for the first time, EDM. Major funding for the Mandala Makers Festival has been provided by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. “As a new generation of the South Asian dia- sporic population matures in the U.S., this year’s Mandala Makers Festival reflects on the aesthetic and creativity of these artists and the audience,” said Artistic Director Pranita Nayar. “The festival reveals how they honor the traditions they were born into and new works they are making as they encounter new cultural, social, and global influ- ences.” T he Global Indian Dias- pora Foundation (GIDF) will host an exclusive pre-release screening of Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s power- ful new film, The Bengal Files, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at AMC Naperville. Following the critical acclaim of The Kashmir Files, Agnihotri’s latest work explores the tragic and often-overlooked events of Direct Action Day and the Noakhali massacres of 1946. The film sheds light on one of India’s most painful yet forgotten chap- ters that preceded Partition. “This film confronts buried truths and awakens historical memory,” said Rakesh Malhotra, GIDF President. “It’s a must- watch for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of India’s path to independence.” The Chicago screening is part of the national “One Truth. Ten Cities.” tour in partnership with I Am Buddha Foundation, CoHNA, and GKPD, and is sup- ported by several community organizations, including Indica USA, Bengali Association of Greater Chicago, and VHP. The event will include a red-carpet welcome, addresses by Vivek Agnihotri and Pallavi Joshi, and a community discus- sion session. Community support for this event is strong, with endorse- ments from: Bengali Asso- ciation of Greater Chicago, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Chicago Kali Bari, Federation of Indian Associations estd.1980, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation,and Indica USA. The Bengal Files officially re- leases worldwide on September 5, 2025. Chicago audiences will get an early, exclusive look at this powerful film on August 9. By a StaffWriter By Bhailal M. Patel PHOTO:CourtesyMandala:South Asian Performing Arts PHOTO: @gidfoundation.org PHOTO:Asian Media USA Artists’ and performers collage. Logo of Global Indian Diaspora Foundation. Collage of photos from the Bushra Amiwala fundraiser in Chicago.