Candidates are asked to answer the following questions and submit along with your attached photo by WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2016. We will post your answers and photo on the ISGH 2016 Elections page so that voters may be more informed on who to vote for on Election Day.
Please reply to this email to submit your answers digitally and attach your photo, or email your digital answers and attached digital photo to ecc@isgh.org to avoid the need to retype it (with potential typos).
1. What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
2. What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
3. What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
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Answers of: Abdul Azad, running for re-election of the Associate Director position of Pearland Islamic Center.
1. What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
Graduated from the university of Houston with a doctorate degree in Pharmacy Science and working in a renowned Cancer Hospital in Houston. Held several managerial positions in past employments. Have studied Islam under a variety of Scholars and Students of Knowledge. Attended AlMaghrib Institute and many other Islamic scholarly seminars. Served as a Khateeb ( Speaker) for ISGH and non-ISGH Islamic organizations since 2002. Founding member of Pearland Islamic Center. Served as Associate Director of Pearland Islamic Center(IC) for last two years. Served as chairman of fund raising committee in PIC since 2006.Help raise 2.2 millon dollars for the construction of the Pearland Masjid. Assisted many ISGH and non-ISGH organizations as a Fund raising Speaker. Member of the "Cancerwise Speaker Bureau" for MD Anderson Cancer center. Civic activist and a community builder. Big proponent of interfaith relationship. Worked tirelessly in the filed of interfaith activities, voter empowerment, and civic engagement with local administration and law enforcement agencies. Collaborated with Houston Interfaith ministries for successful dinner dialogue program, and interfaith seminars on benefits of fasting. With the support from a strong team of our Imam,shura members and volunteers, reorganized and reestablished a strong Sunday school for Islamic studies program with increased attendance to over 120 students. Last two years of efforts was recognized by various local media. Houston chronicle published an article on rapid growth of Pearland Islamic Center and suporting activities.
(Link:http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Growing-Islamic-center-plans-an-expansion-in-7229582.php
Video link of interfaith activities:
1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBVMlQCdlGk
2. Pearland honoring our service men and women: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afdymSQsqU4
3. http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/pearland/news/article/Pearland-Islamic-Center-presents-funds-raised-to-9863436.php
4. http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/pearland/news/article/Pearland-Islamic-Center-to-host-Annual-Spring-9720181.php
2. What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
Seek pleasure of our creator the God Almighty. Also, serve our community of Pearland and our Country at large.
3. What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
Continue the current process of professionalizing our facility to improve our services to our members.
Invest in infrastructures such school, daycare, community hall and sports facility that will foster the growth of cohesive and balanced Muslim families.
Continue to build bridges with other faith communities and neighbors in general to propagate peace and harmony.
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Answers of: SOHAIL SYED, running for the President of ISGH
1. What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
Sohail Syed is a founding member of the Cypress Islamic Center where he also served as its Associate Director for two years. His experience in management is very long and robust as he owns several different successful businesses in the area. The Cypress community is witness to what he can accomplish if given a position of authority.
Work in the community -
During his tenure as an associate director, He was instrumental in buying 5.67 acres land and establishing over 4000 sq-ft temporary Masjid for the Cypress community. He also has organized several community outreach programs including:
• American cancer society walk
• Arranged several blood drives
• Organized visits to the Houston food bank with food drive
• Toy drive for children's cancer hospital
• Visited the elderly at assisted living homes
2. What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
He believes in professionalism and transparency. He is determined to bring the same to ISGH to make it a true representative of the Muslim community - free of division and factions among its members. He is committed to bring ISGH back to its objective and purpose as stated in its constitution. He believes ISGH needs to build greater partnership with other Muslim organization in Houston to bring efficiencies in interfaith, Dawah and community outreach. We also need to foster new leadership by bringing qualified young professionals to ISGH subsidiaries and committees.
3. What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
Plans for the future -
• Bring efficiency and transparency in operation of the organization by bringing a paid, professional team to run day to day affairs of ISGH.
• Restrict elected officials to a policy making body.
•To eliminate the divide among Muslim community and politicization of the ISGH election process, voting for president, vice president, general secretary and treasurer positions should be done through members of Shura council from the final list of nominees provided by the election commission. Nomination process shall be per the current ISGH constitution and by-laws.
•He believes ISGH has done a great job in establishing and operating masjids, but greater partnership is needed with other Muslim organizations for interfaith, dawah, and charity work.
• Special emphasis on youth by revitalizing youth committees in each masjid and bringing youth leaders into the ISGH committees and subsidiaries.
• He is for keeping ISGH politics and micromanagement out of our schools. Each school within ISGH should be allowed to run autonomously including establishment of the curricula, the hiring process and annual budget.
• Effective use of technology to streamline ISGH operations.
He believes in building ISGH as an institution that will not only convey an outwardly positive image of the Muslim community, but also make the society something that will bring a sense of pride to its members and galvanize the community which it serves.
Sohail believes that his varied and robust experience in management is a perfect tool needed in order to transform ISGH into efficient machine of dawah and community outreach. He believes as President he can bring about the necessary changes that are so desperately needed if ISGH is to succeed as a platform for the betterment of Muslims in the greater Houston area.
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Answers of: MJ Khan, seeking re-election for the President of ISGH
1- What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
Current President of ISGH
Served as Director NW Zone ISGH
Served six years as Houston City Council member
Served as President of PAGH
M. J. Khan has spent his life in serving the community. The Houston Muslim community is more united now because of his efforts in coordinating with all Islamic organizations for issues like countering Islamophobia, projecting true positive image of Muslims and Islam in the mainstream. He has effectively and positively represented the community in mainstream media like CNN, local TV, Radio and newspapers as well as international media. He has been a regular panelist on Voice of America. Written Op-Ed piece in Houston Chronicle with Christian and Jewish leaders.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME OF ISGH ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS
Br. M.J. Khan gave stability and restored confidence to the membership during a period of time when the ISGH was plagued with a number of forces deliberately aimed at disruption and disunity, including lawsuits.
He built and motivated arguably one of the best leadership teams in the history of the ISGH to properly serve the interests of the community. Everyone was diligent in carrying out their respective responsibilities.
He has inspired a profound sense of ownership of the organization throughout the membership.
Several undeniable facts attest to this:
(i) Both Joint Shura-Masjid Councils’ meetings registered unprecedented attendance and participation.
(ii) Resolutions passed in those important meetings reflect overwhelming votes of confidence in the work of the Shura under the president.
(iii) Financial donations are consistently out-performing all previous records – month after month.
(iv) The pool of highly-skilled volunteers has grown tremendously. A team of exceptionally devoted and prudent sisters are now directly involved in revamping the Zakāt and Sadaqāt programs in a way that eliminates abuses and ensures that deserving cases receive timely and adequate financial assistance.
(v) New masjid-based entities are showing increased desire to become part of the ISGH family, even as far as Huntsville.
In his untiring efforts to encourage greater participation of the community to help the ISGH attain greater heights, Br. M.J. Khan convened a yet-unmatched number of TEN town hall meetings this year alone. Members were provided clarifications and, in turn, made substantial inputs – all in the best interest of the community.
Under Br. M.J. Khan’s astute leadership the ISGH Endowment Fund is once again functioning - and flourishing - as a bona fide ISGH subsidiary. This was after a dismal performance of the Fund as it veered away from the intended purposes for which the ISGH Shura created it. In fact,
significant progress has already been made to ensure that every entity the Shura created as a bona fide subsidiary operates as such. These are major steps to ensure that the assets of the community are appropriately used.
From the beginning of his term as ISGH president, Br. M.J. Khan promised to make transparency and accountability two fundamental features of how business is conducted at all levels of ISGH administration. He has kept this promise. To strengthen these initiatives the Transparency and Accountability Committee and the Arbitration Committee have now become independent permanent standing committees.
Br. M.J. Khan made commendable efforts to include all segments of our community, especially sisters and youth. Sister Maleeha Sami became the first sister ever to sit in the capacity of zonal director on the Shura. With the able cooperation of Vice President Amin Moolla, the first ever youth-sponsored iftār successfully took place. Further, several special youth programs received encouragement and financial support, e.g. MIST and ICNA Quiz Competition.
While preserving the unique identity of the ISGH, Br. M.J. Khan succeeded in recruiting the widest range of local scholars for the benefit of ISGH members, and established vital links of cooperation with other organizations – not only Islamic but also in the interfaith community.
In the area of defending Muslim interests in the face of local hostilities and anti-Muslim bigotry, Br. M.J. Khan has rendered the Muslim community most commendable service. He successfully continued the struggle event at Houston City Hall. A desirable image of Muslims was augmented when the ISGH donated $15,000 to the Houston mayor when the city was hit by major flood.
Thanks to his experience, eloquence, sociability, and mastery of relevant facts, Br. M.J. Khan has portrayed in the mass media the ISGH as THE source of information and comment on critical issues relating to Islam and Muslims. He was repeatedly invited by CNN, KTRH, the Houston Chronicle, local and international media, etc. and each time enhanced a positive image of Islam and Muslims. The ISGH has become a trusted partner, not only to the mass media, but to law enforcement and civic bodies in our city.
2. What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
Counter Islamophobia: In the current environment in American society, it is extremely essential that ISGH leadership has the experience, skills and courage to positively deal with Islamophobia. We must bring all segments of the community to device effective plans to promote and present the true positive image and positive contributions of Muslims in the society. ISGH shall continue and enhance outreach in Interfaith communities, Government officials and our fellow Americans. Interaction with Government Departments: ISGH leadership is required to represent the community in safeguarding our country from extremist elements and protect the rights and liberties of our members as per the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Texas. Close coordination and interaction with Federal, State and local authorities shall be a primary focus of ISGH.
Help the needy: ISGH has made Zakat and Sadaqa/Fitra distribution automated, transparent and effective. These programs will be enhanced further.
Youth Leadership Development: More young people are involved in ISGH now and are
Empowered to conduct their affairs. We shall focus on developing our youth in all aspects of Leadership for the benefit of Society.
Sisters Empowerment: ISGH has involved more sisters in various committees and leadership positions. ISGH is better when our sisters are in charge.
Subsidiaries: Endowment Fund, IEIT, Funeral Services shall serve the community in a transparent manner and be accountable to the community. IEIT should plan for a State of the art High School; Endowment fund must have funding mechanism in place; A Muslim cemetery be acquired.
Professional Staff: Shura has approved additional staff positions including Controller, Construction Manager, IT Specialist and addition to accounting and administration. With these positions in place, ISGH will better serve the community.
3. What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
Counter Islamophobia
Outreach and Interfaith
Interaction with Elected Officials and Government Departments
Represent Muslims in Media
Transparency and Accountability in ISGH
Serve the needy
Empowerment of Youth and Sisters
Additional Musallahs and Islamic Centers
Professional Management in ISGH
ISGH wide fundraising for future projects.
Affiliated relationships with other Islamic organizations in Greater Houston area.
Coordination with National Islamic organizations
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Answers of: Syed Arshad , seeking re-election for the Directorship of the North Zone
1. What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
I am a physician and also completed Bachelors in Islamic studies. I have been involved with the community in the north since 2001. I served on council at Masjid Bilal and in Masjid Alansar. I chaired Dawah committee and Imam search committee for years. I have been the director for last two years and loved working with the associate directors.
2. What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
The progress of the Muslim Ummah and the Unity of people coming from diverse background motivates me.
My goal is to keep people united, empower the AD and work behind the scenes to take our masajids to the next level.
3. What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
I would like to work with all the people to resolve there differences, increase the programs offered at different masajid.I want to Taylor the programs to fit different age groups. I want to increase the awareness about the new problems that we are facing , to come up with practical solutions in working with the shura.
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Answers of: Ayman Khalil, seeking election to the General Secretary position
1. What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
I have very good organizational skills, & have attended several classes about conflict resolutions. I also served as the AD for Woodlands masjid for 2 terms 2012-2015
2. What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
To optimize the use of technology in running ISGH affairs. Implement a modern system for membership, so the farce that happened this year never occurs again. Get members actively engaged & solicit their feedback in different areas, as example make sure that any bylaws amendments is out for public feedback for 30 days.
3. What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
Most crucial part is to engage young professionals (25-40 years old) in the organization. We need to appoint them to positions in committees & subsidiary boards, and encourage them to run for offices.
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Answers of: Mohammed Iqbal Vaid, seeking election to the General Secretary position
1. What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
Ans: I’m nominated for the position of ISGH General Secretary. This position demands high proficiency in written and spoken communications, and a proven ability to organize and to meticulously and accurately compile and keep record.
In addition to holding tertiary degrees in medicine and hospital administration, and my corporate experience as CEO in a large hospital system, I speak read and write six languages – including English and Arabic (two languages of vital importance in the ISGH).
My stints as Associate Director at the Katy Islamic Center and as ISGH Office Manager at the Main Office (2003-2004) should adequately testify to my ability to organize and to keep complete and accurate records. Allah has honored me with being a part of the team that has set upon building the al-Aqsa masjid in Katy, a project already scheduled to begin in 2017. Also I relate to and work with others very amicably and productively.
2. What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
Ans: Perceiving (with concern) the needs of our community, I believe that my 45-year experience and my skills set put me in a position where I can contribute to the most efficient management of our community’s interests. This conviction motivates me to accept the nomination for the general secretary position on the Executive Body of the ISGH.
3. What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level?
Ans: As compiler and custodian of ISGH documents – including legal and membership database – I would professionalize this crucial aspect of operations throughout the ISGH. Storing and retrieving relevant information would be systematized and simplified. I seek the help of Allah (SWT) as always.
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Answers of: Roger Yelton, seeking election to the Directorship of North Zone
1- What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
Associated Director (local community election) 2007 – 2008
North Zone Director 2009 – 2011
Amaanah Refugee Services Board Director 2011 – 2014
Bachelors of Business Administration, concentration in Business Management
For 32 years in the corporate world I have managed up to 850 employees at a single time with proven leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills
2- What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
I did not seek this position, but have been approached for the last few years to accept being a nominee. My motivation to accept the nomination now, is based on my having time and the desire to please Allah by serving the community, insha Allah. May Allah guide us all to follow the Quran and Sunnah.
3- What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
Bring leadership to the Zonal Executive Committee meetings with a consistent agenda for improvement discussions which covers:
Listening to the Associate Director challenges, community needs and shared ideas for improvement priorities
Zonal unity through planned events, be it Eid prayers, outings, forums etc
Youth development
Outreach
Children’s Education and community religious guidance
Make ISGH the “opportunity” organization for serving Allah through ISGH social service volunteer opportunities
Effective representation to the Shura on behalf of AD’s and community
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Answers of: Faizan Atiq, seeking election to the Directorship of Southwest Zone
What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
Faizan Atiq is a resident of SW Houston. Father of three beautiful young daughters (9, 6 and 5) and husband to a lovely wife, Faizan is a family man dedicating his time away from them in working with ISGH and the community. Faizan grew up in Abu Dhabi, graduated with a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UT-Dallas and has been in Houston for the last 13 years. Professionally, he is currently a Senior Manager of Trading and Risk Systems IT at Direct Energy and has held many similar management positions in the past. He has been on the Maryam Islamic Center zonal council for the last 4 years. During his time on the Zonal Council he has worked on several different areas/projects. He is currently a huge proponent of Youth involvement and works directly with the Youth teams at the masjid. He is in charge of helping organize/manage the programs at the masjid and also works with media team on managing Maryam Masjid’s advertising as well as social media presence. He is a strong independent thinker, a visionary, a big believer of transparency and was very instrumental in hosting most if not all the monthly town hall meetings that Maryam Masjid had during 2014/2015 years. His approachable personality has made him a preferred management member for the community to easily approach and he has held great relationships with the city, county and local law enforcement agencies.
What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
My ultimate goal is to serve Allah through serving the Houston community. Additionally, my goal is to try to get rid of the politics that plague ISGH and unite the community. Lastly and more importantly I want to help come up with an actionable plan that will allow for a new younger brand of leadership with a mix of both, qualified brothers and sisters, who can take over our organization and help the Muslim community address the contemporary issues that we face today.
What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
Some of my priorities will include:
· To properly serve the centers in the SW zone, and ensure the issues and challenges of the zone are appropriately represented at the Shura level.
· Organize more cohesive outreach programs to allow for a stronger Muslim impact and presence across the communities.
· Continue to build on the social services programs and improve where necessary.
· Implement programs to ensure a new brand of free thinking young leadership is nurtured for succession planning purposes.
· Make ISGH a leading organizer of interfaith programs and not just a participant.
· Build strong bridges with other Islamic organizations so as to mutually benefit from the partnerships.
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Answers of: Kamruzzaman Syed , running for the Associate Director position of Pearland Islamic Center.
1. What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
Would someone who has work ethics, exhibits a positive attitude, interpersonal effectiveness, takes ownership, building effective teams within the communities or diverse group, withstands pressure, drive for result, timely decision making, dealing with ambiguity, strategic capability, managing vision & purpose and has proven experiences with ability to make a difference be an asset to your Pearland Islamic Community?
Chemical Engineering Degreed with over 20+ years of experience in the Chemical Industries in USA along with Strategics vision, Continuous Improvement, Quality Driven leader with extensive experience and field knowledge Operations Management experience well spoken & Highly accomplished Leader who thinks out of the box with alignments with team.
Currently working as a General Manager and Manage over 80 peoples along with multi million dollars site, knowledged with Management experience Increasing level of responsibility managing engineering projects, Projects/maintenance Management for the sites, Health & Safety for the site for DHS (while focusing on safety awareness/recognition & program implementation), Budgets (P&L) over 11 Million dollars, and well versed in all aspects of engineering, maintenance and operations including lean manufacturing, cost reduction (conversion), Root cause problem solving, planning schedule for the organization.
• Accomplished professional manager and leader who have proven success in handling multiple projects and team development simultaneously and worked from start to finish while demonstrating sound decision making and problem solving. Currently gaps in the Pearland Islamic community and need to built the bridge; lack of leadership and engagement or better decision making to move forward the community. My leadership will align the community and activities.
I love to Seeking spiritual and sacred knowledge and deliver to the community
Khateeb in Lake Jackson Masalla for Friday Khutba.
Members of Plano misjud over 10 years.
2. What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
For the sake of Allah; would like to serve this Community & Building the community with diversity gaps that exists now. Developing the mosque expansion; working on difficult projects to move forward with city and county's leadership. Allign with local and city with different and diverse prospects.
3. What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
There are lots of Gap with current leadership and management. I want to bring up the youth group up to the next leader. Work for the projects that is dragging for years; along with align with right folks who will work as a team and move forward with results not just talks. We need change nothing has been done other imam Daniel has been driving but need right leadership and alignment.
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Answers of: Haroon Dosani , running for the Directorship of Soutwest Zone.
What qualifications/skills do you have that will be of most relevance to the position you are seeking?
Graduated from University of Houston with MBA concentration in finance. Serial Entrepreneur, Mentor, and accredited investor. Founding member of Maryam Islamic Center New Territory. Served in the Real estate negotiation/acquisition and construction team during MIC’s expansion phase. Also, served as chairperson of finance committee and coordinated fundraising efforts during that period. Two terms MIC zonal Council member. Vigorously worked along with other community leaders to create MIC’s exemplary management model of mutual respect and cooperation that is noticeably different than other Islamic centers. ISGH Southwest is the fastest growing zone and my heavy involvement in all aspects of MIC’s day to day operation specially during expansion planning and construction has uniquely prepared me to serve southwest community.
What are your motivations and goals in seeking this position?
I believe there is a huge gap between and among the centers and ISGH decision making body. This disconnect is causing inefficiencies resulting in extra costs and expenses to centers. I want to bridge this gap by introducing outside the box solutions and by implementing result based measures.
What will be your priorities in taking ISGH to the next level of community service?
While reaffirming founding goals and commitments, I aim to work towards redefining ISGH efforts in response to current challenges and opportunities. By using success modeling and current technology, I want to create a process of cooperation and efficiencies among and between centers to optimize the required results.