The United Maryland Muslim Council hosted a sold out Grand Community Celebration Luncheon in Baltimore, on April 22, 2018, convening 600 community members, many from the South Asian community.
The Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, was greeted with a standing ovation, as former Syrian refugee women who run Aleppo Kitchen, invited as guests of Council of Islamic American Relations (CAIR), watched. Later, they had a chance to meet with Governor and share the growth of their social enterprise with him. Gov. Hogan is a widely popular Republican of a blue state. He had stood firm in his opposition to resettling Syrian refugees in the state.
After much public pressure regarding his silence over the Muslim ban, his office had said in 2017, “The governor appreciates and supports actions to make America safer, but it must be done in a manner consistent with American values.”
Maryland lawmakers in Ananpolis promised Attorney General Brian Frosh $1 million and five new lawyers to file lawsuits against the Trump administration, but Gov. Hogan left that money out of his budget.
At UMMC's premier event, themed Power of Diversity, the governor was able to witness the great positive contributions Muslims are making to their community. Awards were presented to sixteen Maryland based Muslim organizations in political, educational, social services, youth development and community services fields by the Governor of Maryland.
Imam Hassan Amin of Muslim Social Services Agency was awarded a Community Service Award, as was Zainab Chaudry of Council of Islamic American Relations. The MCC Clinic, American Muslim Institute, Islamic Leadership Institute of America, also received the awards. Individuals, like Dr Maqbool Patel, were also recognized for their contributions to the community as were several masajid and businesses.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) Dr. Mohsin Ansari accepted the Organization’s Community Service Award by UMMC on behalf of HHRD.
“Organizations like Helping Hand and Relief Development are working in 140 countries with over $50 Million budget for welfare and relief activities and need to be recognized” said Mr. Rizwan Siddiqi, president of UMMC.
Congressman Andre Carson spoke to the well heeled ballroom full of who’s who of the Maryland Muslim community.
Neha Aamir, a mental health advocate, shared her thoughts on the growth of UMMC, her immigrant experience and mental health in the Muslim community.
Several dignitaries and elected officials including the H.E. Ambassador of Pakistan to US Aizaz Chaudhry, US Sen. Chris Van Hollen, US Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, US Rep. John Sarbanes, US Rep. Anthony Brown’s Representative Nichelle Schoultz, MD Secretary of Higher Education Jim Fielder, MD Secretary of Juvenile Services Sam Abed, Exec. Dir. of GOCI Steve McAdams, Exec. Dir. of Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance Randall Nixon, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Howard County Councilman Calvin Ball, Mayor City of Hyattsville Candace Hollingsworth, Maryland Delegate Bilal Ali and Maryland Delegate Dr. Jay Jalisi.
There were spoken word performances and a grand luncheon was served to wrap up the afternoon.
Photos Courtesy Executive Office of Governor: Tom Nappi
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