BY NICKI MAYO
With a hand on the Koran, and his family by his side The Yemen born American immigrant took the oath to become Lackawanna’s first ward city councilman.
“The Yemenite community is very proud to see one of their sons become the first Yemenite councilman in New York State,” said Noman.
Abdul Noman is the first Yemen American councilman in the city of Lackawanna. City officials say Noman is the first Arab American city councilman in New York State. They also say he’s the second Arab American city councilman in the entire United States.
Noman joins incumbents, Francis “Binky” Kulczyk, Geoffrey Szymanski and Council President Chuck Jaworski on the Lackawanna council.
Lackawanna Oaths of Office
First Ward Council Member: Abdul S. Noman
Second Ward Council Member: Geoffrey M. Szymanski
Third Ward Council Member: Francis J. Kulczyk
Erie County Legislature District 1: Daniel M. Kozub
Erie County Legislators Daniel M. Kozub was also sworn in for a third term representing the first District. He previously served on the Lackawanna City Council. Kozub offered words of encouragement to political newcomer Councilman Noman.
“As my father told me, ‘If you say you’re going to do something, you better do it,’” said Kozub
The council’s first meeting is scheduled Monday January 4 at 6:30 pm. Some of the first items on the table will be a new youth community center and developing the old Bethlehem Steel plant property.
“They had misappropriated the money from the county to move the railroad tracks,” said Jaworski. “That is probably going to be the biggest economic boost we’re going to have in this community,” the council president added.
“We need to find more things that can keep our children active in the community,” said Szymanski. “That will keep them busy but creative as well,” added the Ward Two councilman.
“We’re asking to build a recreation center for the all the youth, for the whole city,” Noman said.
Noman says there are 4,000 Yemenites living in Lackawanna. He says the community has moved forward from backlash following the “Lackawanna Six” terrorist cell and the city’s board of education 2006 decision to suspend the high school’s soccer program involving Yemenite athletes.
“It was unacceptable, when four kids acted up. It just was unacceptable!” said Noman. “It was basically nothing more than racism at that time,” he added.
“We can’t pretend that terrorism doesn’t exist. We can’t pretend that 911 didn’t happen. Or that the Lackawanna Six wasn’t a real issue. It was,” said Leadership Buffalo CEO Joseph Abdallah.
Some local Muslims say Noman’s historic inauguration is helping Lackawanna move forward and heal from past racism toward Arab Americans.
“It is the best thing for the Yemenite community,” said Muslim Public Affairs Council President Khalid Qazi. “It is the best thing for the City of Lackawanna. It is the best thing for the community all around,” Qazi added.
