Community News (Volume 14, Issue 31)

Mehdi Saeed Hazari gets presidential award

Mehdi Saeed Hazari, principal investigator at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,  has been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. He was among the 96 across the country to receive the honor.
In 2010  Hazari was a recipient of the Mary Amdur Student Award for his scientific work entitled, “Dobutamine Cardiac ‘Stress’ Test Reveals Increased Arrhythmia Risk in Conscious Rats After A Single Exposure to Acrolein.”

Dr. Hazari hopes to use novel physiology approaches to show how air pollution sensitizes the cardiovascular system to adverse responses.

Fourth Annual Mayor’s Iftar in Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, IN–Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry took part in the 4th Annual Mayor’s Iftar.The mayor joined nearly 200 Fort Wayne muslim residents to mark the holy month of Ramadan.The event was coordinated by the Fort Wayne chapter of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI).

MAI has been coordinating several such iftars in the state.

Past participants include: Former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, former Deputy Mayor Melina Kennedy, Governor Mitch Daniels office, (Late) Congresswoman Julia Carson, Congressman Andre Carson, Judge David Shaheed, City Councilman Patrice Abduallah, Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker among others.

Philadelphia interfaith groups host iftar for all

PHILADELPHIA, PA–A colaition of interfaith groups in Philadephia have set a unique tradition in the country by hosting free Iftars for all during the month of Ramadan. Two Turkish-American groups collaborate with Old St. Joseph’s Church to host the free, public iftar dinners under a tent at Independence National Historic Park in Old City. The tradition in some Muslim countries of setting up tents to offer iftar dinners to the poor and needy is first adopted in Philadelphia.

One of the groups organizing the event is the Philadelphia-based nonprofit Dialogue Forum, which aims to promote interactions between Muslims and non-Muslims. The other is the Peace Islands Institute, another Turkish-American group that promotes cross-cultural communication.

Muslim Chicagoans appointed to mayor’s advisory committee

CHICAGO,IL–Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the Office of New Americans (ONA) Advisory Committee – a committee of advisors to generate recommendations, develop strategies, and present an overall vision to promote the City’s economic vitality and ensure global competiveness, by becoming the most immigrant friendly city in the world.

There are at least three Muslim residents who have also been appointed. Ahlam Jbara, Interim Executive Director, The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, and Sima Qureshi, Executive Director, Muslim Women’s Resource Center,  have been appointed to the Safety, Health and Access to city services subgroup.

Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR Chicago, have been appointed to the Civic engagement, Diversity welcomed and celebrated subgroup.

14-31