Community News (V10-I27)

Muslim man shot in Cleveland

Cleveland,OH–Police and FBI officials are investigating whether the shooting of a man at a Cleveland gas station was a hate crime.

The Cleveland Chapter Council on American Islamic Relations says some people were mocking 49-year-old Fazliddin Yakubov right before he was shot three times in the lower abdomen while pumping gas Friday night.

Yakubov is a native of Uzbekistan who is Muslim.

A hospital spokeswoman said Yakubov remained in critical condition Wednesday.

No arrests have been made. The shooting was caught on tape and the FBI is investigating if it was a hate crime.

Syed Ali Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2008 Award

Cavium Networks, a leading provider of semiconductor products that enable intelligent processing for networking, communications, storage, wireless, and security applications, today announced that Cavium Networks’ Chairman and CEO, Syed Ali, was named winner of the prestigious Ernst & Young Technology Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 award for Northern California. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Mr. Ali was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on June 21, 2008.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award from Ernst & Young,” said Syed Ali, Chairman and CEO of Cavium Networks. “This award is a culmination of the tremendous effort and dedication of the entire team at Cavium. We look forward to continue delivering world-class products to the market and building a leading semiconductor company.”

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards celebrate their 22nd anniversary this year. The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptionality in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

“Ernst & Young is pleased to honor outstanding business leaders such as Syed Ali,” said Rick Fezell, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director for the Northern California. “Award recipients of the Entrepreneur Of The Year award build leading businesses and contribute a great deal to the communities around them. Their success helps our area grow stronger.”

As a Northern California award recipient, Mr. Syed Ali is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 national program. Award recipients in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award recipient, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 15, 2008. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Scaled down mosque plans still draw criticism

WALLINGFORD, CT–The move to downsize the mosque planned for Leigus Road in Wallingford  was meant to be conciliatory, but the battle lines over the proposal have only become more pronounced, the Record Journal reported.

When it was announced two weeks ago  that the plan would be withdrawn in exchange for a smaller mosque proposal, residents in the audience launched a noisy protest.

The Town Hall auditorium was packed with mosque supporters and residents carrying signs stating “No Mosque on Leigus.” A couple of residents carried signs urging the commission to keep Leigus residential. People on both sides brought their children to the meeting.

Leigus Road area residents were upset by the surprise announcement that the earlier plan for a stand-alone, 4,900-square-foot mosque had been withdrawn.
“If anything, it makes opposition to this stronger,” said Craig Fishbein, a vocal opponent of the plan.

Prior to the announcement, Tariq Farid, who is proposing the mosque, spoke at length about his plans and frustrations with the neighborhood opposition.

At the meeting Tuesday, Farid said the signs protesting the mosque could have been more innocuous. He also complained that residents did not reach out to work with him when he held a community meeting about the project. He said his efforts to work with the neighborhood have not worked out.

“I was trying to turn around and show the neighbors that I’m willing to compromise, but I don’t think they will turn around and work with us,” Farid said.
But while Farid said he is willing to compromise, finding another site – as many neighbors have suggested – is “not an option.” Farid said he has the right to build, so long as he meets local zoning requirements.

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