Like most Americans, Democratic delegate Awais Khaleel was deeply affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Not only was he shocked by the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, but as a young Muslim two weeks shy of his 17th birthday, Khaleel was dismayed that members of his religion committed the attacks in the name of their faith and that Americans’ images of Muslims were shaped by the attackers.
“The events of September 11th shook me up and made me re-examine my own life and my own purpose,” Khaleel said. “At that point, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in politics and public service.”
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Khaleel, 23, and a recent UW-Madison graduate, is off to a fast start.