August 22, 2010

Malcolm and Betty Shabaaz Meml. Ctr. in Harlem

MPAC-NYC was the proud sponsor for the third consecutive year of the Manhattan Borough President's annual Ramadan iftar this week, held at the Malcolm and Betty Shabaaz Memorial Center in Harlem. Attended by 350 attendees of very diverse ethnicities and backgrounds, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer honored local people and organizations for their remarkable work this past year.

The individual awardees included Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, author of the acclaimed book "Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet; "Maryum Khwaja, a licensed social worker who has been practicing in New York City for over 10 years; and Alioune Niasse, the first person to spot and report the smoking car in Times Square which contained a bomb, and helped thwart the potential terrorist attack.

The organizations recognized included the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY), a secular non-profit organization that works with hundreds of grassroots religious leaders from 15 different faith traditions throughout New York City; and the Muslim Education and Converts Center of America (MECCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing traditional Islamic education to the Muslim community, and offering a unique and comprehensive support system to new Muslims.

Dalia Mahmoud, chair of MPAC-NYC, introduced Mr. Stringer to the audience, saying "this is a man who needs no introduction to our community. Early on, Scott Stringer decided to be a vocal champion for our community and speak out in favor of the Muslim school holidays and the lower Manhattan Islamic Center. His actions have been exemplary and paved a way for others to follow."

Scott energized the audience with his remarks and reaffirmed his commitment to religious freedom and his support for the Park51 project in lower Manhattan.

- Dalia Mahmoud (dalia@mpac.org)
MPAC-NYC Chair