History made as first Muslim elected to Saskatchewan Legislature
Muhammad Fiaz hopes he can be a role model to other immigrants
History was made in Monday night's provincial election, according to Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.
For the first time, a candidate who is Muslim has been elected to the provincial legislature.
Muhammad Fiaz will soon be sworn in as a Saskatchewan Party MLA for Regina Pasqua.
Fiaz, a small business operator who was born and raised in Pakistan, says he wants to represent all of his constituents, but also wants to be a role model for other recent immigrants.
"[It's a] very good lesson for the immigrants as the land of opportunity," he said. "The sky is the goal, you can achieve it."
Fiaz immigrated to Toronto 20 years ago and has been in Saskatchewan since 2008. He said he had been thinking about running for office a long time.
"I had the plan, but it was a big challenge," he said.
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Fiaz among 61 MLAs who'll soon be sworn in
Fiaz became the nominee in Regina Pasqua by successfully challenging an incumbent MLA, Bill Hutchinson.
He'll take his place among the 60 other candidates elected to office in the 28th general provincial election Monday night.
"I'm very excited and pleased," Wall told reporters at the Legislative Building.
"I'm happy that the legislature will begin at least to make small steps toward being more reflective of Saskatchewan, the diversity of Saskatchewan."
