Chances are, you don’t know Dilawar Syed. He is an immigrant, an American citizen, a graduate from University of Texas at Austin and the Wharton School of Business. He is a successful businessman having served as both CEO and COO in major corporations. He is also the nominee of President Joe Biden as the deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and endorsed by over two hundred business leaders.
He is also a Muslim.
The recent publication by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sharing perspectives and building trust between the LDS faith and Muslims is something to admire. It speaks to the very best ideals of our nation and in us. This publication could not be more timely. It reminded me about both the urgency and necessity of such conversations.
Syed’s nomination for deputy administrator has been struck in confirmation limbo with the unusual reality of Republican members refusing to allow the formation of a quorum. Multiple efforts to decipher their objections have been reduced to his faith and previous support of Muslim advocacy groups encouraging voter and civic participation.
If confirmed, Syed would become the highest ranking Muslim appointed in our government. The Republicans’ refusal to take a vote has been followed by passive silence at best and unfounded allegations of anti-Israel bias at worst. This last recrimination feeds into the worst stereotypes assuming that all Muslims are opposed to Jewish Americans and to Israel and being anti-Semitic. This unfounded bias prompted responses from a coalition of Jewish organizations to come to Syed’s defense. They have condemned the attack on Syed’s ethnicity, faith and work on Muslim advocacy as an attack on his character.
The promise of America and the American dream has run into the passive bigotry opposing a qualified candidate based solely on his faith. The American dream beckons others to this great nation with the promise that here you can worship without fear or persecution. It is premised upon the idea that your culture, traditions and faith can thrive under freedom. Your effort, your citizenship, your willingness to serve and skills will determine your success not where you worship.
Syed is an American citizen. Yet his religion is still an obstacle in 2022. This why the LDS pamphlet was so timely. We have a qualified person being denied because of where he worships. Our best ideals are being compromised by fear, misunderstanding and bigotry. We no longer rely upon merit, hard work, competence as our guiding prism. Instead we are seduced by our base instincts that divide rather than seek understanding.
We are not perfect, yet it is the movement towards perfection that holds our promise. Our ideals of justice, equality, fairness and truth under the guiding principles of our Constitution is what everyone deserves. Martin Luther King said, “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” The actions of those who would oppose Syed’s nomination commit both acts driven by their animosity to his faith.
A couple of weeks ago, I read with great admiration the positive effort forwarded by the LDS leadership in building a bridge of understanding with the Muslim community. I wish their sentiments were sufficient to turn the tide of discrimination. Americans like Syed deserve no less.
Sim Gill | Salt Lake County District Attorney
Sim Gill is the Salt Lake County District Attorney.