Simmons & FFEU Honor Malas with Muslim-Jewish Relations Award

August 28, 2013

Rabbi Marc Schneier, left, and Russell Simmons give<br>
the FEU Muslim-Jewish Relations Awards to<br>
Mohannad Malas, Co-Founder of the<br>
Orange County Islamic Foundation.
Rabbi Marc Schneier, left, and Russell Simmons give
the FEU Muslim-Jewish Relations Awards to
Mohannad Malas, Co-Founder of the
Orange County Islamic Foundation.

Last week, MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati attended the Foundation For Ethnic Understanding’s (FFEU) dinner reception honoring several Southern Californians for their outstanding work in helping the cause of ethnic understanding and bridging the gap between communities.

Hosted by hip-hop mogul and FFEU co-founder Russell Simmons at his home in Los Angeles, FFEU honored Mohannad Malas, Founder and CEO of Dana Investments and IRA Capital and Co-Founder of the Orange County Islamic Foundation, with the Muslim-Jewish Relations Award.

The night’s honorees also included Lucian Grainge, CBE, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, with the Humanitarian Award; Actress Rashida Jones with the Shalom/Salaam Peace Award, and Janice Bryant-Howroyd, CEO and Founder of the ACT-1 Group, with the Joseph Papp Racial Harmony Award.

Malas is a Principal and Co-Founder of IRA Capital. His responsibilities include raising equity for IRA's private funds and syndicated offerings, while overseeing the firm's overall investment strategy. Malas is also the President and CEO of Dana Investments, a full service real estate operating company he established in 1984 (which also operates as The Dana Group). Throughout his career, Malas has been directly involved in the acquisition, financing, management, development and disposition of more than $1 billion in real estate across all product types. Dana Investments' current portfolio consists of approximately $100 Million of retail and office properties throughout Georgia, Florida, Colorado and California.

Simmons, known for creating Def Jam Records and signing artists such as the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Run-D.M.C., has been a leader in inter-racial, inter-ethic relations. He founded the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, the Rush Philanthropic Organization and the FFEU.

Sidney Poitier, Emmanuelle Chirqui,  Michael Bolton, Marlon Wayans, David Foster, Macy Gray, Kimora Lee Simmons, Clarence Avant, LA Reid, Ron Burkle, Freddy Wexler and Affion Crockett were among the guests who noshed on vegan bites in Simmons’ backyard.




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