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| Attorney Farha Ahmed, a candidate for the city council in a runoff election in Sugar Land, Texas, was smeared in a flier that insinuated that she would be representing Aafia Siddiqui, also known as “Lady al Qaeda,” in a criminal case. Siddiqui was convicted in 2010 of attempted murder of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. |
The flier, quoting a Pakistan newspaper report, erroneously claimed Ahmed would be representing Aafia Siddiqui, a woman dubbed in press reports as "Lady al-Qaida."
A civil litigation attorney and investment manager, Ahmed has denied that it is even possible she could represent the woman in any criminal case
Siddiqui is a U.S.-educated Pakistani neuroscientist who was sentenced to 86 years in prison in a New York District Court in 2010 for trying to shoot U.S. soldiers at a police station in Afghanistan in 2008. She is shown on the flier in two grainy mug shots.
Asked by Houston newspapers if she represents Siddiqui, Ahmed responded a firm "NO" via e-mail. "However, I do not believe that answering this question will stop the smear campaign against me by those who have a hidden agenda. They will continue to ask questions unrelated to the platform I am running on or the city issues we care about."
The flier, labeled a "Political Advertisement paid by a concerned citizen of Sugar Land District 4. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee," said in large print under Ahmed's photo: "Is a candidate for City Council in Sugar Land, Tx. [Farha Ahmed] the attorney connected to Lady Al Qaeda?"
Underneath the headline, the flier added, "Why would Aafia Siddiqui (aka Lady Al Qaeda) currently serving 86 years for attacking U.S. Military & FBI Agents in Afghanistan fire her team of 5 high profile attorneys (apparently paid for by the Pakistani Government) and instead appoint a lone Texas based attorney?"
The flier quotes as the source of its information a dispatch published April 14 in The Express Tribune, a Pakistani newspaper, claiming that Siddiqui indicated she "would be represented by Farha Ahmed, a Texas-based attorney."
City officials, including Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson, have denounced the flier as a disgrace to their city, which is proud of its diversity.
"The city of Sugar Land has always prided itself on its diversity and has been recognized with numerous state and national awards, including the Anti-Defamation League as a Community of Respect for the past four years," Thompson said.
"It is unfortunate that some individual(s) have used the election campaign to bring up issues unrelated to the qualifications needed to serve on (the) city council."
According to 2010 Census data, Sugar Land's population of 78,817 includes 27,796 Asians, 5,853 blacks and 8,324 Hispanics and Latinos (who could be of any race).
Ahmed, 46, said in the e-mail, quoted by the Houston Chronicle and the Houston News, that because she is not a criminal defense lawyer and is not licensed in any state except Texas, nor in federal court, she "would not be retained as an attorney in such a case."
However, she added, "That being said, a few years ago, I was approached by other attorneys and human rights groups to help gather information to find two missing American children who were believed to have been kidnapped overseas."
"Because of my pro bono work with missing and abused children as well as my contacts in the Bush State Department, they believed I could be of help," Ahmed said in the e-mail.
"It is inappropriate for me to discuss the details of the case any further other than to state that the children were found. I would also like to humbly request that the identities of the children be safeguarded for their protection."
Jajoo, a resident of Sugar Land for 25 years and married with two sons, has not commented to the Houston press about the flier. He could not be contacted by press deadline. An e-mail from India-West to his campaign Web site was not returned for comment.
In addition, an e-mail to Ahmed requesting an interview was not returned for comment by press deadline.
A member of the Sugar Land's Planning and Zoning Commission since 2008 and a former member of the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment, Jajoo has amassed a significant war chest for the campaign, according to news reports.
According to his Web site, he is a "registered civil engineer and urban infrastructure professional who has managed public works for the city of Houston for 29 years." He currently serves as chair of the infrastructure planning division of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce." Jajoo is also board chairman of the Indo-American Forum of Fort Bend.
Ahmed, a resident of Sugar Land for 20 years, is a graduate of Houston Baptist University and the Texas College of Law. She and her husband have two children and they run an investment business.
On her Web site, Ahmed cites her service for four years as a member of the Sugar Land Planning & Zoning Commission and her being a board member of Asians Against Domestic Violence. She also expressed some concern about uncontrolled apartment development.
In the May 14 primary election, Jajoo and Ahmed advanced to the runoff by finishing first and second, respectively, eliminating a third candidate, Frank Yonish.
Jajoo received 1,153 votes, or 42.17 percent; Ahmed garnered 952 votes, or 34.82 percent; and Yonish 629 votes, or 23.01 percent.
Sugar Land District Attorney John Healey said in a statement, "The mailer implies that (Ahmed) is the attorney for a woman found guilty of crimes in federal court. What I do know is that (Ahmed) does not practice criminal law. What I do know is that Farha Ahmed has assisted judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors and family law attorneys, to better help the victims of domestic violence."
He added, "What I do know is that Farha Ahmed serves with me on the advisory council of the Children's Advocacy Center of our county, and that she has helped children that have suffered physical and sexual abuse."
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