My son’s parents-in-law, Javaid and Fauzia Syed, invited us to join them at the NYPD Muslim Officers Society’s Ninth Annual Scholarship Dinner. It is one of the many causes they continue to support as philanthropists. Even though it was a weekday, and I had just returned from Philly, I was curious to go to this event, if nothing else for the venue! My husband and I were dating in 1972, and Pfizer, who he worked for, had organized a big event at Terrace on the Park, a beautiful venue in Rego Park, Queens. Our photo of that era- dancing in the same hall where we were last night- still hangs in my dining room, and so revisiting that place was special enough.
As we pulled into the parking lot, it was so nice to see couples walking in and many different Muslim cultures on display- women wearing saris, flowing African garb, hijabs, and all types of Middle Eastern, African and Asian dresses. The cocktail room had an array of appetizers that would justice to any wedding, and then we moved to the ballroom, after Maghrib prayers attended by some of the men on one side of the very large cocktail room.
Then the formal ceremony began in the large Crystal Ballroom, and it was inspiring to see hundreds of police officers and guests, most of them members of the Muslim Officers’ Society. We learned about the purpose of the group which is to represent and liaise between the Muslim communities, work with other fraternal police organizations and continue to develop collaborative policing. Many speakers continued to stress the diversity and inclusion of New York City, and how we have to continue to strengthen it. Numerous awards were given, including Man of the Year Award to James P. O’Neill, NYC Police Commissioner; Woman of the Year Award to Susan Herman, Deputy Commissioner, Collaborative Policing, followed by cop of the year awards, civilian awards, community appreciation awards and many scholarship awards to young students.
The most moving of the awards were posthumous awards to Ricky John Best’s and Taliesin Myrdinn Namkai Meche’s families – both young men had died on a train in Oregon protecting 2 young Muslim girls from harrassment; and also an award was given to Micah David-Cole Fletcher who was seriously wounded in that same incident. Many family members traveled from the West Coast to receive the awards, and they were honored by all those present. This was followed by my favorite dance, the Debke from the Middle East. A troupe performed that folk dance – so intriguingly similar to Irish, Russian, Armenian, Turkish, Turkic, Kurdish and other folk dances – to throbbing Arabic music, which we all enjoyed!
As we drove home, I was so appreciative of having seen a growing Muslim organization in NYC as part of the City’s administration, being run efficiently and doing good work. It was also a nice opportunity to see young Muslim leaders in action:
- Imam Khalid Latif, the second ever Muslim and youngest person – and one of the the most eloquent imams I have ever heard- to serve as a chaplain in the NYPD. He’s also the executive director and chaplain for the Islamic Center at NYU. He’s done a lot of interfaith work, and continues to serve NYC, and indeed the country, through his interfaith and community leadership.
- Sarah Sayeed who was appointed by Mayor de Blasio as a Senior Advisor in the Community Affairs Unit, where she specializes in issues related to the city’s Muslim community, coordinating with City agencies to determine how to best serve Muslim New Yorkers and building on the City’s existing network of outreach and engagement to improve communication and delivery of services.
- Lt. Adeel Rana, the well-spoken and diplomatic President of the NYPD Muslim Officers Society.
And finally, it was such a pleasure to meet Pakistani Consul General Raja Ali Ejaz again, as he was one of several consul-general from Muslim majority countries in attendance. Having come to this country 50 years ago, I have met many Pakistani consul-generals, but Raja Sahib and his wife Aisha are truly refreshing and have brought a new zest and life to community engagement- they participate, they listen and they are truly humble leaders! It is always wonderful to see them both!
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