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Speech of AMV Executive Director Samina Faheem Sundas
at the ceremony honoring Syed Zafar Mohsin with
the Citizen of the Year Award in Milpitas on March 19, 2005
I would like to thank the officials of The Knights of Columbus Milpitas Council for inviting me to be a part of this ceremony.
We are all proud of Mr. Zafar Mohsin's achievements. Mr Mohsin has been a model citizen who has worked tirelessly to serve his community and to foster understanding and trust. By investing in his community, providing education and first hand experience about Muslims he had strengthen the community, especially more so in this current climate of fear, mistrust and adversity.
By getting involved Mr. Mohsin has made Milpitas a better place to live. By recognizing and honoring his sincere efforts and contributions to the community, you have made Milpitas a model city to live in. Mr. Mohsin has been a community builder, always ready and willing to serve a worthy cause. He was instrumental in providing assistance to immigrants during INS special registration and is playing a key role with our ongoing projects, building bridges with other communities and empowering our future generation. We are glad that he is part of the AMV team..
As all of you know that besides every successful man there is a woman. Mr. Mohsin is very fortunate to have support of his wife Zeya, his daughters Sadia and Ayesha and his extended family.
We are Muslim American and proud to call America our chosen home. We are here because this is our country and we will do everything in our power to make it a peaceful and harmonious one, where every one of us feels accepted, loved, respected and safe. We are all human beings with so much more in common than we realize. We bleed red. We cry when we are hurt. Our tears have no color. When we are afraid, we try to flee to a safer place. We all smile in the same language.
Let's pledge today that we will continue to make our communities safe and strong and focus on what binds us together rather than what divides us.
Ignorance breeds fear. We will help erase the fear by getting to know each other. Let's learn about each other, accept and embrace each other and cherish our diversity. In order for us all to feel happy, healthy and whole, we need each other. We should all care about one race, the human race. Let us send a clear message to the world that we are one, that we are working together to achieve our goals to make America a home for all.
About American Muslim Voice: We are grassroots, nonviolent, inclusive, civil, immigrant and human rights organization building alliances and genuine partnership with like minded groups and individuals to protect and preserve civil liberties and constitutional rights for ALL. Our goal is to bridge the gap between all communities and unite us all under the umbrella of our common humanity.
Please visit our website at www.amuslimvoice.org.
Mr. Zafar Mohsin and the city of Milpitas could be the perfect poster for one of AMV's campaign, we are asking Muslims and Arabs to volunteer 2 hours weekly in their local communities to become partners, build stronger communities and to provide first hand experience to our fellow American about Muslims and Islam.
We are Muslim American and proud to call America our chosen home.
Thank you again for inviting me and congratulations to all award recepients.
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