Mayor Hameeduddin Reppin’ for Muslims

Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin was voted in office this past summer, as the first Muslim mayor in Bergen County, New Jersey. Teaneck, NJ is famous for its diversity and put itself on the map, by electing the official whose family is originally from Hyderabad. But what is most interesting is the Mayor’s sidekick, Adam Gussen. Gussen is an Orthodox Jew, and Hameeduddin’s Deputy Mayor. That’s right, a Muslim Mayor with an Orthodox Jewish Deputy Mayor. Doesn’t get cooler than this!

The busy Mayor, had time to sit down with elan to discuss the political process and where he fits in. He revealed, “Our challenge starts with people showing up and challenging the people that are in charge.” Yes, indeed. He’s a man with a plan.

How did you get involved in politics?

It was an accident actually. In 2006, a friend of mine, from high school, ran for council. He got elected and gave me an application for the planning board and said, “Look, this is how it happens, you come and learn the system and you take it back to your community. Understand something. That this is an opportunity given to you and if you don’t do it, it’s not your community’s failure, it’s your failure.” So at that point, you kind of say, “Ok, I have to do this.”

What inspired you to run for Mayor?

For one year I was the second alternate on the planning board, which means, you kind of stood around and if two other people don’t show up you get to vote. It was still valuable, because I learned about the process and a lot about the government. The second year I was first alternate. I also ran a campaign for a board of education camp candidate and then the year after that I ran for council and won. You know, and all a long the way you build relationships and people trust your opinion and you become an opinion maker. That’s how I got elected. I had to meet with the former mayor and then this time around after 2008, this election again, I had the support of the majority of council who wanted me to be mayor and that’s how it happened.

We hear that you and Adam Gussen first came to know each other when you were still kids. Can you tell us a little more about that?

Well, I’ve been in Teaneck since 1981. Adam and myself met in middle school. And like every other kid who is 12 years old, we used to play a lot of sports. That’s kinda how everybody knew each other. And we have been friends ever since.

What do you hope to bring to the town of Teaneck?

This is an ever economically challenging time right now. And the situation in Jersey is very dire and the state budget is very dire as well. We just voted not to raise our school budgets by 6 million dollars. We’re in the midst of combining our police and fire departments. I don’t think people really understand what’s at stake with the economical crisis that’s going on right now. And if you look at how we spent our money especially in the public system, public employee system, we pay 3 billion dollars to the pension system. The pension system is under some 30/40 billion dollars and it’s going to be very difficult when people start retiring to try and keep up with those pension payments.

So there are two things that are going to happen, either our public employees are going to really suffer or taxes are going to be raised. And either case is just an unacceptable situation. You have to rethink the cost and really look at how we deliver services to the communities that we serve.

I’m just trying to be responsible, and keep the same level of services. Spending less money is a priority. At the same time we’re looking at different opportunities to bring in alternative sources of revenue. Whether it is development or its central money coming in from grants or new revenue sources such as parking meters or billboards. Everything is on the table. Since 2006 that’s the direction that this council is going and continuing.

After your election as Mayor, do you see yourself running for other offices? What are your political ambitions?

You know, its really flattering that people keep asking me that but you know, the past 6 weeks I’ve really had my hands full and I haven’t thought about running for anything else. I’m just really happy that I am able to serve my town.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing young Muslims today?

The opportunities are endless for Muslims in politics. It’s just a matter of people getting out of their shell and looking at working with other communities. That’s the key. I think when you exercise what is the Muslim perspective on the environment, what is the Muslim perspective on the economy, the perspective on immigration, on justice for everyone, that’s when we will really see ourselves becoming leaders of America. All this other nonsense that you see about in the news will end.

What advice would you give to young Muslims with political ambitions?

If you are sincere in your desire to help the community, I think Allah will give you success. My advice is just to show up and try to do something that is going to make a difference. Everyone has a desire to do something. People need to understand that volunteers run the country. It’s a part time job in which you get very little money and you do a lot of work and it’s a tremendous amount of responsibility. The first thing for people to do is: show up.

If you could describe your politics in a few words, what would they be?

Social justice for all.

If you were ever elected president, what is the first thing you would do?

First thing I would do, is balance the budget. It is easier said than done. But as much as we have coming in, that’s how much we would spend.

What was the last book you read?

Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson.

If you had to choose a celebrity as your running mate in the next election, who would it be?

It would have to be Chris Rock, because he would say all the things that I cant

Nice. elan‘s kind of guy.