Community News (V10-I44)

Children learn Dos and Don’ts through play

ROCHESTER–Muslim children in the Rochester area were treated to an array of fun filled activities at the Children’s Eid Festival last Sunday, organized by the Islamic Center of Rochester.

In addition to food, the festival featured basketball, face-painting, plinko, inflatable rides and several other kids’ activities. There was also miniature golf and an Islamic version of “Red Light/Green Light” titled “Halal and Haram” featuring foods that Muslims can and can’t eat. That sure is a fun way to learn about Halal and Haram.

Wallingford mosque plan rejected

WALLINGFORD,CT–The Planning and Zoning Commission in Wallingford has rejected a petition for a variance to build a mosque on Wallingford Road.

Citing increased traffic and parking concerns, James Fitzsimmons, James Seichter, Stacey Voss, Marci Baxter and Patrick Birney all voted to deny local businessman Tariq Farid’s request for a special permit to build the facility, which he had planned to dedicate to his late mother.

Farid has twenty days to appeal this decision.

UMMA to join U.S. Surgeon General

Representatives from South Los Angeles-based UMMA Clinic will join the U.S. Surgeon General and national leaders at an historic event at the White House on October 22, where they will discuss the impact of faith-based and community health centers in meeting the health challenges of America’s poorest communities.

Today, health centers like UMMA use innovative approaches and strategic partnerships to provide affordable access to quality health care for America’s growing under- and uninsured population. UMMA clinic has been chosen as the organization to represent the Muslim American contribution to charitable health care.

The White House-hosted presentation by UMMA’s president and CEO, Yasser Aman, MPH, will not be the clinic’s first participation at the national level. In April 2007, at the invitation of Representative John Conyers, Mr. Aman submitted testimony before a House panel regarding universal healthcare initiatives. In July 2006, UMMA representatives were on hand to receive special recognition on the floor of the house by Representative Maxine Waters.

UMMA’s participation in the October 22 forum follows its accreditation, in August 2008, as a federally qualified health center. UMMA, an acronym for the University Muslim Medical Association, is the first Muslim-American nonprofit clinic to achieve full federal accreditation. The UMMA clinic has served South Los Angeles – one of the nation’s most underserved regions – since 1996, providing comprehensive primary care to the area’s ethnically and religiously diverse residents. UMMA is the first free-standing Muslim-founded charitable clinic in the United States.

Syed Amir Ahmed in Who’s Who

Dr. Syed Amir Ahmed, Medical Doctor at Vital Signs Physicians and Professional Laboratory, has been recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in all aspects of medicine.

With 10 years of professional experience, Dr. Ahmed specializes in internal medicine and primary care. He is the sole proprietor of the Vital Signs Physicians and Professional Laboratory, a newly established primary care practice and professional laboratory. His responsibilities include providing primary care services to his patients at Florida Hospital and in his office. Dr. Ahmed became a doctor after being encouraged by his father and uncle, and he attributes his success to his caring nature toward patients and love for his profession.

A board certified physician, Dr. Ahmed received his MD from Dow Medical College in Pakistan in 1992 and actively supports various charitable organizations. He is currently working to connect with other physicians across the country to establish numerous locations in other states. He is a member of the American Medical Association.

UWM holds vigil for slain Muslim

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Association, the Muslim Student Association and others  hosted a vigil on Wednesday at Spaights Plaza on the UWM campus in honor of Haroon Khan, a UWM student who was killed this month.

“It is our goal to remind our university, our community, and ourselves that we are united against violence and hate, and to remember our fellow student, Haroon, in this simple gesture of coming together,” a prepared statement from the UWM Student Association said Tuesday.

Khan was killed Oct. 1 in a plot by Travis Zoellick of Watertown to steal Khan’s car, according to a criminal complaint. Zoellick killed himself two days later. Zoellick’s girlfriend, Tammi LaFave, 21, of Delafield, has been charged in the case, accused of helping Zoellick kill Khan.

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