Candidate says prejudice and ignorance keep him from being taken seriously.

By KATE LYONS-HOLESTINE, Columbia Basin bureau

The Wenatchee World

EPHRATA – Mohammad Said (pronounced sigh-EED) of Ephrata recently received an anonymous letter which stated:  “Muslims are not elected in Washington.  Go back to your sheep and patients.”

Not one to take anonymous threats seriously, Said is more intent on getting the word out about his little-known bid for governor.  But he cites prejudice and ignorance as reasons the mainstream press and the general public have ignored his campaign.

Said, 57, a Palestinian native, settled in Ephrata 14 years ago and has since become an activist in the Grant County Democratic Party and in international politics.

Said earned his medical degree at the University of Madrid, Spain, and operates medical clinics in Sunnyside and Ephrata.

“I feel uniquely qualified in two areas of importance – health care and international trade,” Said said.  “I want to open trade with oil rich middle east countries and would like our state to participate in lifting those trade embargoes.  And, as a health care provider I consider alcohol the number one drug and we need to combat that abuse.”

In addition, Said would like to see programs to combat teenage pregnancy, abortion and drug abuse, eliminate food stamps and implement universal health care.  He said he would also support a bill granting equal rights to gay and lesbian couples for low-income housing and insurance, but not for the legalization of same-sex marriages.

“I feel the family unit is husband, wife and children,” said said.  “I’m willing to work on a bill against discrimination of gays and lesbians, but nothing to do with marriage.”

Said believes food stamps are being abused, used to purchase items other than food and sold for cash.  He proposes that the state purchase basic food items – bread, milk, cheese, meats, sugar and vegetable oil – directly from local farmers and distribute them to people in need.

Said doesn’t plan to sit in an office and see his proposed programs work on paper.

“I plan to be on the road at least one week a month to see those programs implemented properly,” he said.  “I will direct them myself.”

Said has confidence in his leadership abilities.

“I like this job because I don’t have to run something I don’t like,” he said.  “This is an office which involves leadership and inspiration, and I have been all my life in a position of leadership.  I feel I’m a leader inside my heart and can do a lot of things for this state.”

Said is separated from other candidates not only by his background, but by his religious beliefs.  Said’s is one of very few Muslim families – possibly the only one – living in the Columbia Basin.

“There are about six million Muslims in this country.  I estimate about 20,000 are in Washington, but unfortunately they aren’t inclined to get involved and vote,” he said.  “I want to inspire them to get involved.”

Said owns a 100-acre ranch between Ephrata and Quincy where he raises sheep and hay.  He lives there with his wife, Nadia, and son Hashem, who will be a freshman at Ephrata High School this fall.

His other two children, Yasser, 19, and Nora, 18, are attending college.

No matter who is elected governor this fall, Said, who is financing his own campaign with $15,000, said he cannot lose.

“I cannot fail,” he said.  “The money I am spending is worth the investment if my issues and ideas will be open for public discussion.”