Source : World Bulletin / 17 Jun 2014

Anjum Rahman, mother of four, is a candidate for the New Zealand Labour Party in the upcoming September general elections.

She unsuccessfully stood for the Hamilton City Council last year. If chosen this year, she will be the first veiled Muslim lawmaker in New Zealand history.

"For me, running for public office is an extension of the community work I'm already doing," Anjum Rahman told The New Zealand Herald on Sunday, June 15.

The New Zealander Muslim, who comes from an Indian origin, had performed well at a recent Labour Party conference. Therefore, she is expected to be ranked inside the party's top 30 candidates for the September 20 general election.

Living in Hamilton for 41 years, after arriving from India in 1972, the Muslim activist went to Australia for her education. Currently, she has a Bachelor and Masters in Management Studies from the University of Waikato and works as Chartered Accountant with 20 years of experience.

"I'd be really pleased to be the first [female Muslim] MP, but that's not the only thing about me, I want it to be that no one even bats an eyelid, when people realize New Zealanders come in all hues, shapes and sizes. But for that to happen, someone has to be first." she said.

The aspirant politician has a number of top priorities, including supporting small businesses and creating a society where everyone felt included.

"I bring the governance, financial and management skills from my educational background and my professional career to these roles," she is quoted on her website.