WASHINGTON: Pakistani physicians, who held their four-day convention in Washington this year, showed unity by devoting two evenings to the Palestinian cause. However, differences emerged among them regarding local politics in Pakistan. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American legislator from Michigan, was the chief guest at the annual dinner on Saturday. Rashida Tlaib presented awards and prizes and earned a standing endorsement from the audience when she spoke regarding her efforts to promote the Palestinian cause, both within and outside the Congress.
“You too have issues, many problems,” said Bassem Youssef, a popular Egyptian-American TV anchor and surgeon. “And yet you gave the stage to Rashida and me to talk regarding Palestine. This shows your concern.”
Rashida Tlaib is seeking re-election from Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, which has a large population from middle east and heavily supports Democrats. However, Republicans have united in a bid to remove her. Rashida Tlaib stressed the significance of highlighting the plight of the Palestinian people, particularly those in the Gaza Strip, and lauded the role of the Pakistani-American community in promoting the Palestinian cause. “The choice is not between talking regarding Palestine or not talking about Palestine. It is about how to do it more effectively,” she remarked.
While Rashida Tlaib focused on the political and diplomatic aspects of the Palestinian dispute, Bassem used his popular humour to shed light on the issue. He told the audiences regarding the numerous means they could apply pressure. One of his jokes underlined how democracy presents American Muslims with multiple options. For example, this year the American Muslims could pick between a president who permitted a genocide in the Gaza Strip and his rival, who might be worse than the incumbent.
Bassem also talked regarding an event in New Delhi, India where most of the speeches were in Hindi, and when he inquired regarding the content, he was told the speeches were regarding converting a mosque into a temple.
He shared with the audience his experience of filling out an Indian visa form. Despite being Egyptian, he was questioned whether he, his parents, or grandparents were Pakistani.
