August 15th, 2025 | Skokie, Illinois- Before returning to Austin after a 12-day political exile in Illinois, Texas House Democratic lawmakers made a stop at the Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove Friday afternoon, where they joined for midday prayer and met with community members.
The visit was organized by Bushra Amiwala @bushraamiwala , a Skokie school board member and Democratic Congressional candidate for Illinois’ 9th District. Amiwala welcomed about ten Texas legislators, who arrived together in two SUVs, calling their presence “an inspiration in the fight against an unjust system that splits communities and writes unfair maps.”
Among the visiting lawmakers was Texas Rep. Suleman Lalani, one of the first Muslims elected to the Texas House. He described the visit as deeply meaningful, noting it was his first time in a mosque since arriving in Illinois. “It’s tough on us, tough on our families, tough on our staff,” Lalani said, recalling threats of arrest, fines, and political retribution faced by Democrats who fled Texas to deny Republicans a quorum.Another Texas legislator, Rep. Salman Bhojani, echoed those sentiments. “Democracy, and some of the hardest things worth fighting for, are not easy. We’re going to stay strong and fight for everything that’s going on,” he said. Bhojani noted the group was successful in blocking a vote during the first special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott (R), preventing Republicans from advancing gerrymandered congressional maps that could flip multiple Democratic seats in 2026.Amiwala praised their stand, saying: “They risked their own safety and security in this fight. What they represent goes far beyond one vote. It impacts generations and lawmakers around the country — even myself.”
As the lawmakers prepare to head back to Austin, their actions highlight the growing national battle over redistricting and democracy itself — a fight with consequences that extend well beyond Texas.
📸: Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune