By Bob Harris
By Bob Harris
On December 20,2016 the Executive Committee of Arafa Islamic Center (AIC), Jamaica, Queens, held a splendid dinner at the Taj Mahal Party Hall on Hillside Avenue where hundreds of people from Community Boards 8 and 12 met to talk, eat and get to know each other. The event was arranged by Khondokar T. Islam, General Secretary of AIC and CB 12 member.
The event was aimed to promote peace and tranquility in our society by having people of all faiths, colors and backgrounds come together to get to know each other. Clergy of different faiths spoke of the similarities between their faiths. Legislators and the managers from from CB 8 and 12 spoke of understanding and helping each other. Community Affairs Officers from the 103rd Precinct were present. A splendid spread of all types of food, which included a table of kosher food, made people comfortable and happy.
Present from AIC were Imam Sheikh Sheob and Mohamed Tuhin , moderator of the event who is on CB 12, plus the Reverend Patrick H. O’Connor of the First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, and Rabbi Manes of Hillcrest Jewish Center of Fresh Meadows. Legislators present were Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman from CB 12 and from CB 8 State Senator Tony Avella, Assemblyman David Weprin, Councilman Rory Lancman, Councilman Barry Grodenchik and Sarah Sayeed, Senior Advisor Community Affairs Unit, office of the Mayor. Civic leaders present were Martha Taylor from the Jamaica Estates Civic Association and a Chairperson of CB 8 and Bob Harris from the West Cunningham Park Civic Association and member of CB 8.
