http://www.muslimlinkpaper.com/
The Muslim Link. June 1, 2007 Issue.
La Plata Muslim Appointed County Rep for Sen. Ben Cardin By Farkhunda Ali
Muslim Link Staff
He does not work a regular schedule of 9-5. He does not have to be confined to an 8 x 10 office cubicle in front of a computer screen all day long. He meets people on a daily basis. He listens to the concerns of the Marylanders everyday. He takes the issues of the community to his Senator’s office. He attends Senate hearings. The Senator considers input when making public policies that affect all people of Maryland.
Hammad Matin is the Southern Maryalnd field representative for Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD). He was appointed by Sen. Cardin (D-MD) to his office in April 2007. The Senator believes Matin is an asset to his staff due to his experience with public work and political engagement.
“It is very important to me that my staff be from diverse backgrounds because it helps me represent all the people of Maryland. I am very fortunate to have someone as talented as Hammad serving as my eyes and ears in Southern Maryland. He is experienced, dedicated and knowledgeable, and he has a keen insight into issues,” said Sen. Cardin.
“I am absolutely, incredibly, happy about my selection. This is an honorable position. I feel humble about it,” said Matin.
Matin commented the Sen. Cardin (D-MD) believes he is a Senator for all the people of Maryland, which includes Muslims. Matin feels it is an honor to work for a policy maker who gives equal importance to every one of his constituents and makes all people of Maryland feel like each individual has a position in the Maryland policy making.
Some of Matin’s constituency work involves working on issues relating to social security, immigration, healthcare and education. When Matin is in the office, he is constantly busy answering a never ending phone. He said, “This could be a bit challenging.”
Matin considers every phone call coming to the Senate office “important” and he tried his best to connect the caller with the right person responsible for a certain issue.
”The greatest thing about being field rep is being an ambassador for the community,” said Matin excitedly.
Much of Matin’s job is related to community affairs. He may be delivering a statement on behalf of the Senator one morning, while mingling with elected officials one evening. Matin has an outgoing, assertive, but a kind-natured personality. When he meets people of Maryalnd at public events, he personally delivers those messages to the Senator. Matin and Sen. Cardin (D-MD) have a close relationship, where he is represents the Senator in his absence.
“My work is about community outreach,” said Matin.
Behind Matin’s success is a very close figure to him-his father. Matin commented supportive parents develop independent and self-confident children who are motivated to plan their future from a young age.
“I thank Allah for this opportunity. This is the best that a parent can hope for. I’ve always supported Hammad in all of his interests. I’ve always encouraged him to do the best in his ability in everything he does by first remembering that our first allegiance is to Allah,” said Shaikh Matin, father of Hammad Matin.
Matin is one of the three children born to a Baltimore Pakistani-immigrant family. During his childhood, Matin’s parents instilled the value of a higher education and the importance of civic engagement.
The Matins take their dedication to education and governmental involvement seriously. His older sister works in the State Department. His younger brother is finishing up second year of law school at Berkeley Law School. All of the three siblings grew up engaging in similar community activities together.
Matin, 31, who is an attorney by profession, wears many hats. His daily schedule is usually booked from sunrise to sunset. If he’s not attending a public event for the Senator, he is in his law office in La Plata, Maryland. He might be in the court filing a motion, or might be visiting a client at his workplace. If he’s not politicking with his father over tea, then he is in the Masjid reciting the Quran or sitting in a Halaqa. When he arrives home, he does his weekly reports or reviews his clients’ cases.
“I think as a Muslim, it has been my natural inclination-fostered by my Islamic upbringing-part of my Deen to work in public interest,” said Matin.
Matin’s passion for politics and public service intensified during his law school years. As a law student, he became interested in law enforcement, politics and community engagement and realized they are all interrelated.
Matin campaigned for Sen. Cardin (D-MD) before he became a Congressman. Once again, Matin jumped hoops to make himself available to campaign for Sen. Cardin (D-MD) when he decided to run for the Senate position in 2006.
“I’ve been heavily involved in political engagement. I enjoy providing public service,” said Matin. Matin graduated from Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington, Virginia is 2000. Immediately after graduation, he joined a 1-year internship with Charles County Judge Robert C. Nalley. Later, he became the Judicial Law Clerk with another judge in Circuit Court in Charles County. After taking the bar exam, Matin took a position as the assistant state attorney in the State Attorney’s Office in Charles County.
Matin commented his work as a state attorney from 2001-2007 has taught him a lot about law and how important it is to establish in society in order to have a balance in the public sector.
Matin extended special appreciation for Sen. Cardin (D-MD) because he made an exception for Matin when appointing him to his office. According to Senate ethics, attorneys affiliated with a law firm are usually not allowed to represent a Senator in order to avoid conflict of interest. In order to avoid any concerns of conflict of interest, Sen. Cardin (D-MD) outlined professional guidelines where Matin would have to maintain confidentially and keep his law practice separate from his political activity.
Matin practices law through the Law Office of Hammad S. Matin in his hometown in LaPlata, Maryland. He said the outside view from his office brings peace to his eyes. When he opens the blinds, he looks directly at the Abdul Moghni Mosque in La Plata, which is his usual hang-out spot during lunch breaks.
yeh wat sheen api said
