Prominent Americans of Foreign Descent Who Make America Great

February 17, 2017 by Papatia Feauxzar in DAILY LIFE, SPORTS

President Trump has tried and still trying to put a visa ban on 7 Muslim dominated countries which are Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Sudan and Lybia. Priority will be given to the minority faiths constituents of these countries.

We can all agree that family dynamics in the US are VERY complex. Some families have Jews, Christians, Muslims, and non-denominational members in their mix and such measures and restrictions like visa ban would split families, friends, and relatives. A religious test is not acceptable. It goes against the inherent values of the country.

Even the poem inscribed on The Statue of Liberty states:

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

What has been happening since Trump reached the White House suggests that he doesn’t know the US history well perhaps. The origin of USA inhabitants is so broad and even surprising at times. In fact, many prominent and successful US figures were originally immigrants or descendants from the very countries he aimed to put a visa ban on. These people made and still make America great again and again. America thrives on their contributions and inventions.

So check out these US prominent figures we gathered for you.

The late Steve Jobs

Co-founder of Apple Inc, Jobs’ father Abdulfattah Jandali was a Syrian immigrant. Nowadays, Apple is a multi-billion revenue worldwide company. Every year, Apple fans impatiently await the latest model of phones and electronics. They even stay in line for hours just to acquire them. Wouldn’t you say, it would have been somewhat different for Apple users if Jobs’ father hadn’t emigrated from Syria?

Hamidi Ulukaya

Of Turkish citizenship, Ulukaya’s company, Chobani is the most popular Greek yogurt brand in America! Valued at about $2 billion, Chobani fly off the shelf. I know because my sister buys them on a regular basis. She loves the packaging and the different flavors.

To continue, Hamdi Ulukaya is the CEO and owner of Chobani. He is also very generous because on top of paying his employees, he also gives them extra benefits. Read more on the philanthropist here because this is what I call making America great; spreading goodness.

Abdullah Hammoud

Hammoud is a Democrat and the first Arab American Muslim to win a seat in the State House of Representatives in Dearborn, Michigan. Congress is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. While there are only 100 senators, 2 per state, there are 435 House of Representatives and the population of each state plays in the number of these representatives. Dearborn, Michigan being a state with a high numbers of Muslims, it’s groundbreaking and amazing that the citizens in that state now have a voice via his election. Kudos to him!

Tariq Farid

Founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements, Farid is a Pakistani immigrant who became naturalized in 1986. Edible Arrangements are crafty fresh fruits arrangements. Recipients of his invention get a bouquet of fresh fruits. He started his business in 1999 with a $5,000 investment and today his company beloved by foodies worldwide is estimated at $480 million. You can read more on him here.

Sadia Faruqi

Faruqi is a Pakistani-American Muslim author of the acclaimed short story collection “ Brick Walls: Tales of Hope & Courage from Pakistan”. Born in Karachi, Pakistan she is also an interfaith activist who trains a wide group of people including police personnel on Cultural Sensitivity. Her efforts are have been lauded and we definitely need more people like her especially in these times. She lives in Houston, Texas with her family.

Fayez Sarofim

Also having ties with Texas, Sarofim is a co-owner of the NFL’s Houston Texans. Originally from Egypt, he became a US citizen in 1961. He is a wealthy fund manager from aristocratic roots. To end here, American football would have been different without his contribution.

Shahid Khan

Owner of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars, Khan emigrated from Pakistan when he was 16 years old and did a lot of small jobs before making it to the top, Today, the billionaire contributes to America’s number one sport too; American Football. The NFL generates a lot of revenue and is a favorite pass time for a great American majority.

Originally published at AboutIslam.Net .

4 Amazing People Obama Was Rooting For In His Last Presidential Moments

January 31, 2017 by Papatia Feauxzar in SPORTS

In his last days as the President of America, Barack Obama has named several people to fill key administrative positions in the government. Many women have been chosen for key roles.

Here are some of the famous names that stand out from Obama’s nominations:

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Obama nominated Abdul-Jabbar as Member, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

The basketballer deserves the appointment based on his achievements. The player also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom recently, which is referred to as: ‘the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.’

2. Carli Lloyd

As an Olympic gold medalist, Lloyd was nominated as Member and Co-Chair, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. A brilliant soccer player, she was named FIFA Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.

3. Gabby Douglas

Also an Olympian gold medalist, Douglas was nominated as Member, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Douglas is the first African-American in Olympic history to become the individual all-around champions in gymnastics.

4. Ibtihaj Muhammad

This female fencer is the first American woman to have worn the hijab during the Olympics. She owns several medals as well.

Muhammad was nominated as Member, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Her nomination is also well deserved.

Originally published at MVSLIM.

Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

September 10, 2016 by Papatia Feauxzar in SPORTS

Rio Paralympic Games is the next wave of Olympics in Brazil this year. The games began on September 7th and will end on September 18th. Not really advertised like the main Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games started in an effort to include a wide range of disabled athletes in sports competitions. This is the reason it is also held in Brazil and not too long after the main Olympic Games have ended.

What started as an event for World War II British veterans who found themselves with disabilities after fighting the war became an international event. It’s not as funded like the regular Olympics and there is a lot of noise going around for the blatant favoritism. That said, the Paralympic Games are only subsidized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). As a matter of fact, they are governed by International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Now, there have been controversies about cheating done by some of the athletes who had claimed being with disabilities when in fact they weren’t. So, stricter rules have been made in place to counteract false claims and more methods to distinguish a disabled person from a non-disabled are being designed.

Having said that, not all disabled athletes are satisfied with only playing in the Paralympic Games. Some rather compete in the normal Olympic Games as well to assert and seek equal opportunities. They don’t want any favor or distinction. This is for instance the case of the notorious Oscar Pistorius. Several other disabled athletes have competed in the regular Olympics too.

This year 43 African countries are participating, 27 countries in the Americas also are, 40 Asian countries, 44 European countries, and finally six countries from Oceania will also be competing for medals. A total of 160 countries will go against each other and fight for the prized gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Some athletes to look out for are:

Zahra Nemati

This Iranian athlete is a Paralympic and an Olympic archer. She was previously a back belt Taekwondo athlete but had to switch sports due to a car accident. She has several medals; gold and bronze.

Fatimata Diasso Brigitte

A runner from Ivory Coast, Diasso is a 26 year old runner who has a visual impairment since childhood. She will be running the Women's 100m - T11, Women's 100m - T11, and the Women’s Long Jump T11. This is her first Paralympic participation. She was supposed to compete in London 2012 but she was disqualified at the last minute due to an injury. Around Africa and her own country, she has won medals of achievements.

El Amin Chentouf

From Morocco, Chentouf is a Paralympic runner and a multi-gold medalist in T12 races. He will be competing in the IPC athletics for men. Watch out for the 35-year-old because he’ll be defending the world champion title he holds.

Sanaa Benhama

Benhama is the women’s defending champion for Morocco. She did very well in Beijing 2008 with three gold medals. She will be running the Women’s 100- T13 and Women’s 400- T13.

Emrah Ocal

This Turkish Paralympic athlete is another one to watch out for. He has gold under his belt in Five-a-side soccer. In fact, he helped his team win gold at the 2015 ISBA European Championship. Bravo! Tune in to see him dribble the ball ad score many goals like he is known to do.

Ali Jawad

From Great Britain, Jawad will be competing in Powerlifting. He has several gold medals in several Men’s category. The 27-year-old is an inspiration. Born without his legs in war torn Lebanon, he has achieved the impossible to some of us. Like all the Paralympic athletes around the world, he didn’t let his handicap dictate his call in life.

Nazmiye Muratli

Muratli is another Paralympic powerlifter from Turkey. At the London 2012 Paralympics in women's up to 40kg, she won Gold. The 37 year old has other medals. The most recent being gold in the 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championshipsfor women's up to 41kg.

Sherif Osman

The Egyptian Paralympic won gold at the 2014 IPC World championships for men's up to 54kg in Powerlifting. Amongst others he holds, there is one gold from Beijing 2008. Osman was a shot putter before deciding to do only powerlifting.

Sareh Javanmardidodmani

The Iranian will be competing in IPC shooting. She won Bronze at London 2012 Paralympic Games but gold at 2014 IPC Shooting World Championships. Watch out for this shooting star as well.

Ramezan Salehi Hajikolaei

Hajikolaei is another Iranian competing at the 2016 Paralympic Games in sitting Volleyball. He won silver in London 2012 and gold in Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Above all, tune in to follow and support these outstanding athletes and the others not mentioned here. May the best athletes win!

Source: www.paralympic.org