Community News (V14-I23)

Iman Seale wins a scholarship

CLERMONT,FL–Iman Seale, a junior at East Ridge High school in Clermont, Florida, has won a $10,000  WyzAnt College Scholarship Contest. After several months of voting, three deserving students have been selected to receive a total of $10,000 in college scholarship funding.college scholarship which will be split with two other contestants. Her winning essay was about adopting individuality and focused on her choice of wearing the hijab. She shared her experience with cultural diversity and her appreciation that “the world is not a place of uniformity.” Iman plans to study Graphic Design when she goes to college in 2014.

WyzAnt.com is the largest marketplace for tutors and students, offering an easy-to-use and secure environment designed to foster learning though one-on-one instruction. 

Seale’s submission, “How to be Me,” follows:

“For the most part, I get dressed just as everyone else does in the morning. Undergarments, pants, shirt — and of course deodorant before that — but I do something else differently as I prepare for school. I open up one more drawer. It’s a compartment full of color combinations and possibilities to match the rest of my outfit — it’s a drawer full of scarves.

“As I wrap my scarf, or hijab, I feel happy. Comfortable. Nevertheless, I didn’t always feel this cheerful wearing the headscarf. At times it would feel awkward to walk around with a piece of cloth wrapped around my head. But once I thought it through, I realized that that’s all it is: An extra article of clothing.

“Underneath my hijab I’m just like most other American girls. I constantly chat with my friends and squeal if a bug comes near. Since I’ve embraced who I am while realizing where I’m from, wrapping my scarf has been much easier. Like the many beautiful colors and patterns that fill my drawer, every person is diverse or unique and this is nothing to be ashamed of.

“I felt out of place when I let my differences restrict me from being my own person. However, the world is not a place of uniformity. We’re all puzzle pieces, we’re all different, but together we fit into a human work of art.

“Today I walk across the school campus, smiling genuinely, because I know that I’m unlike anyone else. This is the way the world should be, and this is perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned: My differences aren’t my weaknesses, they are my strengths. They are what make us as a nation, strong.

“Never be afraid of who you are.”

New Bosnian mosque opens in Warren

WARREN, KY–Bosnian Muslim community in Bowling Green opened a new mosque in the area over the weekend. The $1.2 million state of the art structure was financed by the 200 families living in the area. The opening was scheduled to coincide with the 17th Convention of Bosniaks in North America,which was also held in Bowling Green over the weekend and drew about 10,000 people.

Imam Senad Agic, leader of the Bosnian community in North America, told the massive crowd that he was proud of the local community for not only constructing the mosque, but for being faithful and attending the mosque.

Pakistani Americans mourn Hamid Malik

FULLERTON,CA–The Pakistani American community mourned the passing away of businessman and philanthropist Hamid Malik in New Port Beach, California, last week. A self-made man he was the president and CEO of Amtrend corporation, a commercial hospitality manufacturer.

According to a press release from Safeer-e-Pakistan, “He was a generous person helping everyone and never turned anyone away from his doorsteps empty handed. He helped raised thousand of dollars for floods and earthquake victims in Pakistan, donated to hundreds of charities, islamic centers, education, media and many other social, religious and educational causes.

He was also at forefront supporting political campaigns and held numerous fundraisers for Sheriffs of LA and Orange County, congressmen, senators, Mayor, Council members and others at his residence. His contribution to all causes is unmatched and unparralleled. He was a very generous and caring human being.”

He is survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, and grandson.

Malik Nadeem Abid recognized by NY Senate

ALBANY,NY–Malik Nadeem Abid, a long serving community activist, was honored by the New York senate with a resolution on the occassion for his designation for recognition by the American Council for Minority Women.

The resolution reads, “Malik Nadeem Abid is a devoted community advocate from New York where he has been living since 1996; for over 15 years, he has been serving immigrant communities of New York as a volunteer in different capacities and on different projects, including community empowerment, legal & immigration issues, family counseling, healthcare education, civic rights, senior services and youth activities; in addition, he has created numerous job opportunities in the healthcare field for minorities.”

A resident of Valley Stream, New York, Malik Nadeem Abid has been supporting several Senior Centers throughout New York City and on Long Island and has been personally involved in establishing the first ever Adult Social Daycare Center for the Muslim population in South Brooklyn.

He is is also New York Chapter President of American Muslim Voice Foundation and also sits on AMV Foundation’s National Board.

Norwalk panel rejects mosque

NORWALK,CT–The plan review committee of Norwalk’s Zoning Commission has recommended that a mosque proposal be rejected. The three member panel cited lack of parking space as the reason behind their decision. The  Al-Madany Islamic Center proposal  calls for a 27,000-square-foot building, including a prayer hall, classrooms, a community/recreation center and 89 parking spots.

The Zoning Commission is scheduled to vote on June 6.

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