Naperville, Ill. – Naperville City Councilman Ashfaq Syed is visiting Hyderabad, India, marking his first trip to the city since his historic election to the Naperville City Council in April 2025.
Syed made history as the first Muslim, Hyderabadi, and Indian American elected to the Naperville City Council, a milestone widely seen as a significant step forward for diversity, inclusion, and civic representation in one of Illinois’ largest cities.
During his two-week visit, Councilman Syed is scheduled to participate in a range of social, economic, educational, and cultural events across Hyderabad. His itinerary also includes meetings with political leaders, community representatives, and civic organizations, where discussions will focus on urban development, public services, education, and strategies for strengthening community engagement.
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The visit underscores Syed’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and building stronger connections between communities in the United States and India. He is expected to share insights from Naperville’s governance model and community-focused initiatives while learning from Hyderabad’s approaches to urban growth and civic participation.
Councilman Syed’s trip reflects a broader effort to promote dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding across borders, reinforcing the role of local leadership in a global context.