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Board of Appeals Chairman Attorney Aziz Ahsan has been appointed chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of East Fishkill, NY. Prior to this, he served a twoyear term on its planning board. In this new capacity, he will lead the team responsible for interpreting the zoning code, reviewing and granting of special permits and variances, and dealing with appeals to the decisions of the town building department. Ahsan, who encourages Muslim Americans to take full advantage of what America has to offer, has represented ISNA at various regional and national events. He strongly feels that his leadership skills were developed as the president of MSA-University of Minnesota chapter.
From Fighter to Insider
N
awar Shora, 33, legal director for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), has joined the Transportation Security Administration as a senior adviser for its office of civil rights and liberties. A native of Syria who was raised in Huntington, WV, he started with the ADC as an intern in 1999 after graduating from Marshall University and the West Virginia University College of Law. Shortly after 9/11, he became a founding member of an Arab, Muslim, and Sikh advisory council that aired concerns about hate crimes,
Nawar Shora receives the Director’s Community Leadership Award from FBI Director Robert Mueller ________________________________________
the USA Patriot Act, FBI investigations, and other sensitive topics. In March, this author of “The Arab American Handbook” (Cune: 2008) was honored by FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III with the director’s “Community Leadership” award for his role in creating the FBI’s Future Agents in Training program. This week-long program introduces the FBI to forty high school juniors selected nationwide. ISLAMIC HORIZONS 17