Ghazala Hashmi Reconnects With Roots in Heartfelt Virtual Meet With Malakpet Community

Hyderabad (Same Day): Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor–elect Ghazala Hashmi reached across continents on Sunday to reconnect with her birthplace, Malakpet, in an emotional virtual interaction that brought together residents, diaspora members and extended family from India, the Gulf and the United States.

The session, organised by her uncle Tariq Munir—an Osmania University alumnus based in Scotland—and moderated by Dubai-based Zafar Akber, turned into a warm homecoming for Hashmi, who left Hyderabad as a child but has frequently spoken about how her early years shaped her worldview.

“Assalamu alaikum… It’s wonderful to connect with so many family and friends from Malakpet,” Hashmi said, opening the session with a smile. She recalled growing up with her grandparents and the comfort of a close-knit neighbourhood. “The memories I have from my childhood have always been very special to me,” she said.

Hashmi, who taught American literature in Richmond before entering politics, shared that the political climate following the election of Donald Trump pushed her towards public office. “The idea that people would be targeted on the basis of their faith was deeply troubling,” she said.

Her first run for the Virginia Senate in 2019 was, she admitted, an uphill climb. “No Democrat had won that seat in 40 years… and I was running as an immigrant and a Muslim,” she said. Despite doubts about her political credentials, Hashmi said she relied on her determination and built a coalition that cut across communities. “Most of my voters were Black, White and Hispanic,” she noted.

Her recent 20-month campaign for Lieutenant Governor followed a similar trajectory. “A lot of people discounted my ability to win the Democratic primary. But again, I’m stubborn,” she said with a laugh. She eventually defeated five contenders in the primary and went on to win the general election by over 11 points—a margin she described as a strong endorsement of her platform.

Hashmi also highlighted the historic significance of Virginia electing its first woman Governor this year. “Two women leading the state is remarkable,” she added.

During the interaction, Hashmi congratulated author Syed Khaled Shahbaaz for his work The Kohinoors and thanked him for including her profile in the upcoming second volume. An emotional moment unfolded when Zafar Iqbal mentioned his biography of her grandfather, the late Raja Mohiuddin. Hashmi paused, visibly moved. “I get emotional thinking about the long legacy of my family,” she said. “Everything I do is in honour of my nana, nani, my father and my mother.”

The event saw participation from Rayees Akbar, Toufeeq Nagad, Syed Fazil Hussain Shamshad, Dr. Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez, Muzaffar Ali Khan, A. Ramesh, Masood Akbar Yahya, Aafaq Mateen and several other members of the Malakpet community and global diaspora.

Hashmi signed off with a message of gratitude: “Thank you all for your well-wishes and dua. I truly appreciate it.”