South Asians for Obama (SAFO) is a grassroots movement to mobilize the South Asian community in America to support Barack Obama's campaign for President. Formed in February 2007, SAFO has worked in numerous ways to build bridges between Senator Obama's campaign and the South Asian American community. We have planned events, organized forums and discussions, made phone calls, canvassed neighborhoods, registered voters, raised money, published written materials, and much more.

SAFO belongs to our entire community, and we encourage you to take an active part in this historic effort to change our country. Together, we can make a difference.

As Americans of South Asian heritage, each of us embodies the promise of the American dream.  Our families arrived on the shores of this great nation in search of a better tomorrow.  They sought a land of promise and freedom, a land where hard work was rewarded and justice prevailed.  While we have made great strides in this country, much remains to be done to ensure that the promise of America is fulfilled for each member of our community.

Barack Obama’s vision for America is our vision, and his story is our story.  As the son of a foreign-born father, he has personally experienced the challenges of race and identity that affect our community.  As a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, he appreciates the value of a strong education in expanding opportunity in this country.  He also recognizes that love for America and pride in one’s heritage are not conflicting values.  And he understands that our individual salvation depends on our collective salvation.

We support Senator Obama’s candidacy because of the promise it holds for our future.  We do so not simply based on narrow self-interest or communal allegiances.  Rather, we believe that Senator Obama’s message of hope and opportunity will move our entire country in a positive new direction.  Because when our country is at its best, there is no limit to what our community can achieve.  By uniting around Barack Obama’s candidacy for President in 2008, the South Asian community can assume a leading role in shaping the future of America.