BLOG POSTS

  • Why I Am Exploring a Run for Circuit Court Judge in 2028

    Junaid Mustafa Afeef is exploring a run for judgeship in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court (Kane County, Illinois). He is a 31 year (and counting) legal professional with extensive experience in courtrooms. His courtroom experience comes from being a trial lawyer and an administrative law judge.

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  • Why This Podcast? As my children, nieces, and nephews get older, I discuss meaningful issues with them. We didn’t talk about these topics just five or six years ago. We talk about finding careers that match their passions. We talk about how to craft a purpose that can guide each of us in life. We

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  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Our Public Schools

    I have experienced being a minority and benefited from being part of the majority. Both experiences inform my support for DEI in our public schools. I do not see DEI efforts as dividing us. Hatred, bigotry, and intolerance divide us. DEI seeks to teach our children that we may have different skin colors, abilities, gender…

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  • Freedom of Information: Take It Seriously

    Public bodies should strive to make more information easily accessible. That doesn’t mean building a massive data dump online. It does mean releasing records and information whenever requested unless there is a specific reason not to do so. Most people lack the legal knowledge or funds to seek legal assistance to enforce their rights under…

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  • Public Service Requires Public Engagement

    I cannot speak for the board of education. I cannot decide for the board of education on my own; only by a majority vote can we make decisions that bind the district. When the board makes a decision I disagree with, I have the right to ethically and constructively seek change.

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  • Many friends, including State Senator Cristina Castro, attended a victory celebration for Nazneen Hashmi. The event was held on May 21, 2023, in Streamwood. She was elected to the Village of Streamwood Board of Trustees in 2023. Nazneen Hashmi’s commitment to public service goes back decades. She has helped many individuals run and win. Over

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  • The Illinois Civic Coalition and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago Action Network, in collaboration with several other civic engagement organizations, held a lunch at Reza’s in Oak Brook on May 6, 2023, to celebrate American Muslim elected and appointed officials in Illinois. It was a rare opportunity to see many friends working

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  • After a few years of ZOOM-only meetings, the Kane County Bar Association’s Diversity Committee held an in-person meeting on April 28, 2023. The Honorable Julio Cesar Valdez was our guest speaker, and he shared a glimpse of his inspiring life story with us. Judge Valdez recounted his early days as an immigrant from Mexico to

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  • Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, hosted an afternoon learning session to help IDPH staff learn about the observance of Ramadan for Muslims. Many colleagues tuned in. Working in a place where diversity is embraced and celebrated is great. This was the first time in my 29-year career that the

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  • The Islamic Center of Kane County is a newer, rapidly growing Muslim community organization located in St. Charles, Illinois. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast. The daily meal that marks the end of the fast is called Iftar. On April 5, 2023, ICKC held an interfaith Iftar. The event featured fellowship, prayer, education,

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