Community Matters
Muslims for Safer Communities
Dr. Jones receives award from Rayyan Ashraf of Madina Academy
Connecticut Governor Daniel P. Malloy addressing Muslim Coalition of Connecticut’s sixth annual leadership banquet addressing “Working Together for Safer Communities” on Nov. 11, 2012 in Hartford,
Ahmed Rehab Receives Leadership Award CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab was presented with the Prophetic Leadership Award at Arise Chicago’s Fourth Annual Faith-LaborAction Breakfast, Nov. 13, 2012. Arise Chicago is a 21-year-old organization whose mission is to build partnerships
officially conveyed honor and recognition upon the organization. Gov. Malloy applauded the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut for its “leadership in the community through outreach and between faith communities and workers to fight workplace injustice through education and organizing and advocating for public policy changes. In his keynote address, Leo Gerard, International President of the United Steel Workers told how the USW helps workers who face injustice in the workplace. Other awardees included Illinois State Senator Kimberly Lightford for her Faithful Leadership and Stand Up! Chicago for their Inspirational Leadership.
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advocacy.” He noted MCC’s “many efforts in building bridges with law enforcement and state and local leaders throughout Connecticut.” He also thanked MCC “for your dedication and for improving the lives of so many.” MCC President Aida Mansoor received the official proclamation on behalf of the community. Princeton Chaplain Sohaib Sultan presented the keynote address “Demystifying Shari’ah.” The awardees were Rabia Chaudry, president, Safe Nation Collaborative, Neil Dryfe, chief of police, Cheshire, Conn., Dr. James Jones, president, Masjid Al-Islam, New Haven, Conn., and Masjid Al-Islam; and John Olsen, president, Connecticut AFLCIO. Honored guests included State Assembly Speaker Christopher Donovan, Dr. Saud Anwar, Councilman of South Windsor, Superior Court Judge Nawaz Wahla and Magistrate Judge Thomas Smith and the police chiefs of Berlin (Paul D. Fitzgerald), Cheshire (Neil Dryfe), Windsor (Kevin Searles) and Glastonbury (Capt. David Caron).
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Qirat Competition Winners The Bolingbrook, Ill.-based Furqaan Academy students secured three prizes in the 6th Annual Qirat Competition sponsored by the Waukegan, Ill.-based Islamic Foundation North on Nov. 18, 2012. The competition had 130 participants contesting for 100 points and judged on the proper application of the rules of Tajweed. In Level 4 Boys, Furqan’s Osama Rayan took second place; in Level 3 Boys, another Furqan student Asad Sayeed took first place; and also in Level 3 Girls, a Furqan student Rasha Sayeed took first place. Furqaan Academy had won the award for The Best Hifz School in Chicago in the Mist 2012 competition. “Competitions such as these highlight Tajweed as the most important basic foundation of learning Quran,” said Wajahat Sayeed, founder and president of Al-Furqaan Foundation, who runs the Furqaan Academy.
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Islamic Horizons January/February 2013