Community News 16-52

Dr. Mubin Syed led group performs new procedure to treat obesity

A group led by Dr. Mubin I. Syed of the of Dayton Interventional Radiology has performed a new procedure to combat obesity. According to a press release this is the first time that a bariartic procedure was performed in the US.

“Bariatric embolization is a minimally invasive technique whereby a small catheter is introduced into the groin or wrist and guided into the left gastric artery that supplies the upper stomach. Particles smaller than a grain of sand are then injected into the left gastric artery to block blood flow—or embolize—the tiny branches of this artery. This is expected to decrease the hormone ghrelin, responsible for appetite, resulting in weight loss. This is the first catheter-based procedure that attempts to directly address obesity, one of the largest public health problems in the United States.”

“More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese and approximately 5 to 7% are morbidly so,” explained Dr. Syed. Currently, the only proven long-term procedural solution for substantial weight loss is bariatric surgery, an often extensive operation. “You’ve got the ideal rationale to develop a minimally invasive procedure that could deliver long-term success. To me that’s promising, and why I practice medicine.”

He further advised, “Despite the potential to help the obese, bariatric embolization is still in the experimental phase. Therefore, its safety and long-term benefit has yet to be proven.”

Illinois Muslims Mourn Comptroller Judy Topinka

CHICAGO,IL–Muslim organizations throughout Illinois expressed condolences over the passing of State Comptroller Judy Topinka on December 10, 2014. She was seventy and had suffered a stroke a day earlier. She had just won the second term as a comptroller and was due to sworn in next month.

A veteran of Illinois politics she was the first woman to serve as chair of Illinois Republican Party.

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) in its condolences called her ‘a brave leader’ who worked across party lines. “CIOGC is honored to have had the opportunity to work with Topinka on topics and issues related to health care, low income housing, and immigrant rights. Her enthusiastic “I can do better” attitude, dedication to inclusion, and commitment to advancing the quality of life of all communities will be remembered and carried on by those who have been influenced by her tremendous work,” read the statement.

CAIR-Chicago also paid tributes to Topinka’s inclusive legacy: “Comptroller Topinka truly epitomized an ideal politician who listened to and worked alongside members of both parties for the benefit of Illinois. Her office’s outreach to diverse communities in Illinois was truly genuine and heartfelt and she was earnest in connecting with CAIR-Chicago in a desire to relate to Muslim communities throughout the state.”

Top Banker Imran Khan to Lead Strategy at Snapchat

NEW YORK,NY–Star investment banker Imran Khan has been hired by the popular smartphone app company Snapchat as its first Chief Strategy Officer. The appointment comes in the wake of the company currently being valued at $10 billion.

Khan was currently working as the head of internet baking at Credit Suisse. He has been widely praised in the industry for regaining the company’s stature in tech banking.

A Snapchat spokeswoman confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that Khan will be directly reporting to the CEO Evan Spiegel.

A Denver Business Journal profile mentions that Khan is a native Bangladesh and graduated from  University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business in 2000 with a bachelor of science in business administration in finance and economics.

Georgia city approves mosque after initial rejection

KENNESAW,GA–The council of city of Kennesaw, an Atlanta suburb, unanimously voted to allow a mosque in a shopping center after rejecting it only two weeks earlier.

In the initial rejection city officials had claimed that zoning regulations do not allow a place of worship in a commercial area. That decision was widely criticized by a number including the local faith leaders across all denominations.

An attorney for the Muslim group had told the local press that he had recommended his clients to file a civil rights lawsuit.

In another development, the US Attorney General’s Office announced that a settlement has been reached in Minnesota between the city of St. Anthony and Abu Huraira Islamic Centre.

The federal government had sued the city saying that its 2012 rejection of a proposed Islamic Centre violated federal law.

U.S. Attorney Andy Luger, in a statement published in the Star Tribune,  said the settlement “respects the Constitution and provides the worship space that Abu-Huraira sought.”

The settlement is still to be approved by the city council.

AMHP celebrates 10 year gala

CHICAGO,IL–Last month, the American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) celebrated its 10-Year Anniversary Gala in Chicago.  with 300 people in attendance, according to a press release

Commissioner Dr. Bechara Choucair of the Chicago Department of Public Health opened the evening, which was emceed by anchor and news reporter Mariam Sobh. Dr. Choucair encouraged guests to take part in his comprehensive agenda to improve the well-being of Chicago residents.

President Arshia Wajid reflected on AMHP’s progress since she first founded the organization. “From its humble beginnings as an email listserv of just 100 health professionals back in 2004, AMHP has grown into a dynamic organization operating at the local and national levels,” said Wajid. Today, AMHP provides a platform for networking and professional development as well as to leverage the collective skills of Muslim professionals from diverse sectors of the health field in order to advance needed advocacy and public health initiatives.

Keynote speaker Dr. Altaf Husain highlighted AMHP’s great strides in the arenas of mental health awareness and disability needs in the Muslim community. He also shared its history of championing a voice that is concerned about the health of the most marginalized sectors of our communities.

Another highlight was the presentation of the Humanitarian Service Award to Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), which has been tirelessly engaged in medical relief work amid the devastating crisis in Syria. SAMS President Dr. Zaher Sahloul moved guests with his acceptance speech about SAMS’ work on the front lines. (AMHP)

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