AMPD 2nd Quarter Recap
Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim
From the President
Dear AMP'D Members: In June 2014, the AMPD Executive Team came together to further develop and understand our organizational vision. While AMPD's mission is to provide a platform for professionals to network, advance professionally, and serve our communities, our greater vision is "to elevate the professional experience for Muslims in Dallas/Fort Worth." This understanding drives our dynamic committees as we collaborate with each other to contribute to the "professional experience" in our unique ways - via professional development programs, service projects, and initiatives. We continue to engage and attract DFW professionals through our communication channels, social media and most importantly, by word-of-mouth. In the upcoming months, AMPD will take further initiatives to facilitate the exchange of ideas and opportunities among our diverse membership in person and in the virtual realm. Thank you for a great second quarter! May the blessings of these final nights of Ramadan be upon you and your families, ameen! "Indeed We have revealed it (Qur'an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah's permission, on every errand: (they say) "Peace" (continuously) till the rise of Morning!" (Holy Quran, 97:1-5).
From the Programming Committee
The second quater was filled with successful events including a professional development event and a record-breaking Iftar event. Special thanks to our AMPD Programming Committee on their hard work and dedication to both of these events!
Professional Development Panel
On Sunday, June 22, 2014 AMPD hosted their inaugural Professional Development panel at the Hyatt Place Dallas North. The event featured 5 panelists in different stages of their career: Dr. Hind Jarrah, Dr. Michael West, Ms. Jody Diaz, Dr. Mohammad Khaleel, and Mr. Ali Anwar. The program consisted of networking, business card raffle give-aways, panel discussion with pre-submitted questions and a live Q&A segment. The event was attended by approximately 35 members from various industries.
2nd Annual AMPD Iftar
On Thursday, July 3, 2014 we hosted the second annual iftar at Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet in Las Colinas. The event included 2 business card raffles, a key note presentation on the Psychological Benefits of Islamic Prayer by Dr. Masuma Rasheed, and a dinner buffet. Congratulations to Adib Motiwala for winning a gift card for Fari's Bakery and Afsha Nadeem Muneer for winning the grand prize free night stay at Hyatt Place-Austin. With 95 attendees, this was AMP'D's largest event to date! More to come to in the third quarter insh'Allah From the Community Service Committee
For our Third Quarterly Community Service Project, AMP’D joined efforts with Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) to provide Eid gifts for Dallas-based refugee children. The Dallas branch of Islamic Circle of North America provides essential social and community services to the Dallas-based refugee population. Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammed (SAW), every year ICNA holds an Eid Gift Drive benefiting the children of Dallas-based refugees.
On Sunday, July 13, 2014, AMP’D Community Service collected Eid gift donations at Islamic Gifts and Books in Richardson, Texas. AMP’D members donated Eid gifts for a group of Afghani children, ranging in age from 1 year old to 14 years old. The gifts will be distributed to the children during the July 26-27 weekend. It was a very humbling experience and we hope to continue this effort in the coming years, inshAllah. Many thanks to AMP’D members for their generosity!! Our upcoming Community Service Project is in collaboration with LOTUS, an organization aiming to connect and empower young South Asian professionals in Texas. On September 20, 2014, AMP’D and LOTUS members will help Texas Trees Foundation maintain several hundred containerized trees and beautify the nearly 7.5 acres of land at Urban Tree Farm and Education Center (sponsored by TXU Energy). Please stay tuned for more information about this project. AMP’D Community Service Committee wants to hear from you! We’re always looking for new and innovative community service project ideas. Please email us at ampd.calendar@gmail.com with your ideas and information about community service organizations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. May you have a blessed month of Ramadan! And an early Eid Mubarak to you and your family from AMP’D Community Service Committee! Thank you!
Stay tuned for more events in the 3rd quarters.