Great news this weekend as the College Republican Federation of Virginia selected Nadia Elgendy as its next chairman. Elgendy penned an amazing and positive op-ed for the Virginian-Pilot, which is worth reading altogether:
When I have to defend my religion to a few select members of the party or see hurtful comments on social media, it gives me perspective on why many Muslims view the GOP as anti-Islamic.
. . .
Remember, it was not that long ago, in 2000, that 78 percent of American Muslims voted Republican. Today, according to the Pew Research Center, just 11 percent of American Muslims say they identify as a Republican or “lean toward the GOP.”
This, I believe, is because of the rhetoric that is so much louder than reality. We need to allow the true message of the GOP to be louder, and this is where I believe the millennial generation will succeed.
I don’t want to steal all of her thunder. Read the entire op-ed here.
UPDATE: I had to share this. Don Williams is a known quality among Virginia Republican leadership. His praise is nothing short of effusive:
I disagree with this headline…..and I want to be very clear………..
Nadia and the College Republican Federation of Virginia are not the GOP of the future…..she and her fellow CR leaders are the Republican Party of TODAY.
Like her recent predecessors, Elizabeth Minneman, Kasia Pisudski and Benjamin Dessart…….Nadia is bringing a strong leadership message to Republicans all across Virginia. In fact, its a message that resonates with all Virginians. A message as much for today, as it is for tomorrow.
I am proud to be a part of the Republican Party of Virginia that is led, in part, by this strong, smart, dedicated leader……Nadia Elgendy.
There’s a great deal of truth to that.