Rashid Shaikh during a debate in ShrewsburyRashid Shaikh, a Shrewsbury neighbor who lost the race for a seat on the Selectmen Board, denounced a “campaign” to smear his reputation, specifically referring to a letter mass-mailed one day before the election (May 2nd, 2017) to some households filled with “hate and lies.”
Mr. Shaikh is a Muslim Pakistan-born neighbor, naturalized American, activist, who arrived in the USA as an immigrant “with just $1,000 in his pockets,” according to an interview made by the Telegram on September 2010. This is the second time Mr. Shaikh lost an election to become a Shrewsbury Selectman.
According to Mr. Shaikh, there was a “campaign” by word of mouth, Facebook posts, and in a mass-mailed letter on the day before the election.
“This might be a joke for some but it’s a very serious issue for our families, national interest, and constitution (…) my family and friends are still in pain, my youngest one is scared to go to school and it has negatively impacted lives of many,” Mr. Shaikh said on Facebook.
The letter, reviewed by The Shrewsbury Post, has “Community Awareness, 100 Main Street, Worcester – MA” as the return address. It beware of voting for Mr. Shaikh with allegations about his business dealings and then makes allegations about his faith and the Muslims in European countries.
“Rashid is a very manipulative personality and a big liar,” starts listing the letter. See the letter below.
“Say no to any Muslim governance to our peaceful communities! Help Stop making America Another Europistan,” the letter stated in the end.
Stolen lawn signs
During the election race, Mr. Shaikh also denounced his campaign lawn signs were stolen. Something that many Shrewsbury residents condemned, but others claimed lawn signs get stolen all the time. Others explained that the signs might have not being stolen, but just taken away from their lawns.
It’s certainly a shame when people vandalize and steal signs, and I hope that’s not happening, but I’m honestly wondering if people simply took the signs off their own lawns? He (Mr. Shaikh) approached me about putting a sign in my yard, and though he was super kind, and I appreciate what he has to say, I just didn’t want a sign in my yard. He really didn’t want to take no for an answer, which I can appreciate, no harm. However, could people be saying yes to putting signs on their lawn only to take them down themselves once he’s gone?, said Krista Jane Fogg in a comment to The Shrewsbury Post.
Police Chief James Hester said to the Worcester Telegram that these matters are under investigation.
Chief Hester said this is the only issue in town involving anti-Muslim statements that he is aware of. He also said he does not know of any other candidate whose campaign signs were stolen during the recent election.
Related:
Shrewsbury Clergy offers support to Muslim neighbor who ran for Selectman
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