Community News (V14-I22)

NJ mosque plans scheduled for hearing

BERNARDS TWP, NJ–The Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (ISBR) has put forwards its proposal to build a new mosque in Bernards Township. It is scheduled to come up before the Planning Board in early August.

In its plans ISBR is planning to raze a home and construct a two-story, 4,250-square-foot facility that could accommodate up to 150 people. Mohammad Ali Chaudry, president of the ISBR and a former township mayor, told the local press that  the proposal is “fully compliant” with local zoning standards.

The site is zoned for residential use but meets the three-acre minimum that the township requires for houses of worship. Some residents have raised concerns over the proposal saying that they will not like the area to have a facility with frequent visitors, light poles, and a parking lot.

Syed Naqvi joins Parabel as CFO

Parabel Inc., a global provider of micro-crop technology and solutions that produce new sources of feed, food, and fuel, has announced that Syed Naqvi has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Naqvi brings over 15 years of financial management experience to Parabel. During that time, Mr. Naqvi guided public and private companies through rapid growth, change management and profitability improvements.

Prior to joining Parabel, Mr. Naqvi was Founder and Principal of business advisory firm Zurich Advisors, LLC. In prior assignments, Mr. Naqvi served as Chief Financial Officer of multi-national telecommunications and financial services company, Celexpress, Inc. Mr. Naqvi has provided financial management services to technology, e-commerce, telecommunications and entertainment companies with national and international operations. Previously, Mr. Naqvi held financial positions with Telmed, Inc., Hospital Corporation of America, and LabCorp Holdings. Mr. Naqvi holds a BBA in accounting from Florida Atlantic University and is a certified public accountant.

Vaziri, Kovacoglu among Ellis Island Medal recipients

NEW YORK,NY–The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations each year pays tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America’s unique cultural mosaic by giving out the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. Among the 100 medal recipients this year there are at least two Muslims. Emrah Ahmet Kovacoglu and Reza Vaziri are named in the list. They were honored at an elaborate ceremony on May 2012.

Further details on Kovacoglu and Vaziri will be published in future editions.

‘Abraham Path’ develops interfaith understanding

ELMIRA,NY–Muslims, Jews, and Christians in Elmira came together on May, 20 for a three mile walk. It was aimed at developing interfaith understanding based on the the life of prophet Abraham (AS).
The walk started at at Congregation Kol Ami in West Elmira, and participants walked to the Park Church in downtown Elmira and back before traveling to the Islamic Association of the Finger Lakes.

“This interfaith walk is to develop understanding and friendship between our neighbors in all three religions,” said Dr. Mushtaq Sheikh, former president of the Islamic Association, to the Ithaca Journal. “This is an effort toward peace. Sometimes you live in the same community but you don’t even know your neighbors.”

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