Community activist Sam Khan passes away

New Jersey: Noted community activist, interfaith leader and founder of the Pakistan Independence Day Parade in Edison, New Jersey, passed away. The unexpected and untimely departure of Khan was a shock to the community.

He contested as Freeholder of Middlesex County in New Jersey in 2012 and received more than 88,000 votes, though he did not win. No south Asian in New Jersey ever got those many votes, Khan said at that time. He later ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for Edison mayor.

He also had contested as Edison councilor earlier and he had organized a major celebration for July 4th in 2012 attracting about 15,000 people, under the banner of South Asian Community Outreach Organization (SACO), which he founded. He regularly organized events, be it for 9/11 anniversary commemoration or protesting shooting at a gurdwara.

Khan, a Bihar native, who was married a Hindu woman from Delhi, was a secular person in all his dealings. When he stood for election he said, ‘I am a broad minded person with the true American spirit. I don’t believe in religious differences and my life itself is an example of what I believe. I do not talk the talk only.’

He had a masters degree in life science and businesses administration. Khan was a member of the Edison Chamber of Commerce and Edison Visionary Lions Club.

During his campaign, Khan cited three major problems in Edison township, corruption, nepotism and ever increasing taxes. ‘First and foremost, I am a husband and loving father of two daughters. I want to see Edison succeed so one day my children can grow up to have the same opportunities we've enjoyed, hopefully one day viewing the option to stay in their hometown as a benefit rather than a burden,’ he said then

‘In business, I worked my way up from an intern position to owning my own successful business. I am not looking for money or name. I believe in public service.’

South Asian Community Outreach (SACO) is a non-profit organization with the motto of building bridges between various ethnic groups in Central Jersey and create social, cultural and political awareness. SACO will provide South Asian immigrants with an opportunity for transition and integration into the community.