Pakistani Immigrant Proud To Be American
By: Nasir Ahmad

Today is the first Independence Day I will be celebrating as an American citizen. Born in Pakistan, I emigrated to America in 1998 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2009.

I feel proud to be an American Ahmadi Muslim, because I know the Constitution protects my individual rights. Unlike in Pakistan where religious minorities are imprisoned or even executed for practicing their faith, here I freely observe my faith without any fear of persecution.

I am grateful my American-born children will never have to face the persecution that I had to endure for almost 15 years. Therefore, this July 4 I will be celebrating independence from religious tyranny for myself, and for so many others like me.