Hatem grew up in a farming village in Egypt's Nile Delta, where neighbors relied on each other to survive. As the oldest of seven kids, he watched his mother, who never went to school, sacrifice everything so her children could get an education. He became the first in his family to earn a degree, then worked as an ESL teacher before immigrating to Brooklyn over 25 years ago.

Here in District 45, Hatem ran a bodega and learned what it was like opening before dawn, dealing with surprise fines, navigating endless red tape, and hoping to make payroll each week. He knows what it's like to work long hours just to survive. He's raised his family here, volunteered as an interpreter for asylum seekers, served on his Community Board, and shown up for neighbors whenever they needed help. He's not a career politician with talking points. He's the friendly guy on your block who actually cares about his community.

That's why he's running. Because he's watched politicians like District 45’s Council Member Farah Louis, ignore working families while handing millions to corrupt landlords and wealthy developers. Because small businesses get crushed by fines while corporations get tax breaks. Because schools can't get crossing guards but the city spends millions on dog parks. New Yorkers are tired of it and that’s why Hatem is running.