Community News (v14-i49)

First halal food pantry in Memphis

MEMPHIS,TN–A halal pantry in Memphis has scored a first on many counts. It is the first exclusively halal pantry to be launched in Memphis. It is also the  first halal food pantry in the country to be part of the food distribution system overseen by Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Located on the premises of Masjid Al Muminun it recently received approval to become an official affiliate of the Mid-South Food Bank.

The pantry serves the needy regardless of their religious affiliation and backgrounds. They recently delivered 50 turkeys for Thanksgiving at a seniors’ home. It is also reportedly the only halal pantry to serve the needs of Muslims in 31 counties in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.

More information about the pantry can be obtained by contacting program manager Brenda Sharif at 901-336-2358 or Dr. Nadeem Zafar at 901-240-5057. Email:halalfoodpantrym@aol.com.

Karim Abdullah to run for Carbondale city council

CARBONDALE, IL–Karim Abdullah has filed appllication to run for for three at-large city council seats in Carbondale. He was a star athlete at high school and college level.

University mourns professor

The University of Toledo is mourning over the death of its devoted faculty member Dr. Ahmad M. Farhoud. He was a graduate of the university’s electrical engineering program from bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and later become a faculty member. He died last week in Toledo Hospital. He was 49.

He had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was undergraduate program director of electrical engineering technology and continued to meet with students, although in his South Toledo home, during his illness.

“He fought hard until the end,” his daughter, Julianna, said. “He was always so personable and outgoing. He just loved helping students.”

Mr. Farhoud, an associate professor, published papers about electrical control systems and served on college of engineering and UT committees, said Allen Rioux, chairman of the department of engineering technology. In 2004, he received the college of engineering’s outstanding teacher award.

He was also a member of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo.

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