Community News (V15-I45)

Virginia governor appoints Syed Ali to Board of Medicine

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell recently announced the appointment of  Syed Salman Ali, M.D. of Vienna, a hematologist-oncologist with Fauquier Health Physician Services, to the state’s Board of Medicine.

He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from New York Medical College in 2003.

Among his many academic honors, Dr. Ali served as Chief Resident at North Shore University Hospital, and graduated magna cum laude from the undergraduate biomedical science program at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. Dr. Ali is currently a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Eid ul Adha meat distributed to North Jersey food banks

In keeping with Eid ul Adha’s spirit of sacrifice and charity Muslims in North Jersey donated meat to local food banks in North Jersey area.  The nonprofit Peace Islands Institute, accompanied by local legislators, did a mini-tour of five North Jersey food banks, donating more than 100 pounds of fresh meat at each stop, the Montclair Times reported.

“Two-thirds of the animal has to be donated without looking at religion, race or color,” explained Ercan Tozan, executive director of Peace Islands Institute.

Representatives from the nonprofit were accompanied by Montclair’s two representatives in the New Jersey Assembly, Thomas P. Giblin and Sheila Y. Oliver. Also in attendance were the Rev. John A. Mennell of St. Luke’s and Anne Mernin, director of Toni’s Kitchen.

Islam Awareness Week held at U.Missouri

The Muslim Students Organization at the University of Missouri organised a very successful Islam Awareness Week on campus which included a lecture. Speaker Waheedah Bilal spoke about Muslim women and their identity in the West, reported the student newspaper, the Maneater.

“One of the challenges is the media and the narrow confines of how Islam is portrayed. Don’t let the media perpetuate an image,” Bilal said. “As Muslim women, we are always working against a stereotype.”

“The best way to combat stereotypes is to continue living a normal life and let people get used to the differences.”

She said the best way to end stereotypes is to have open discussions about contending issues.

Muslim students help stock pantry at Episcopal church

Muslim students in Richmond, Virginia, helped stock the food pantry at an Episcopal Church as part of their efforts to help the needy.

Students from the Iqra Academy of Virginia helped in the sorting of canned goods which they had donated to the community food pantry at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

Feras Abuzayda, the principal of Iqra Academy,  told the Times Dispatch that said his school’s participation was part of its dedication to interfaith service.

“This is a way for our students to make a connection with their creator and to spend time being a good neighbor,” he said.

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