IFANCA Welcomes Nadia Durrani

Nadia Durrani joined the organization as a Food Technologist, and will examine ingredients used in food products, to validate whether they are halal or not. Her goals include educating companies and consumers alike about food ingredients that are permissible in Islam. She believes that working for IFANCA allows her to gain professional experience as she fulfills a religious obligation.

Nadia Durrani received her Bachelors of Science in Nutrition from Benedictine University in May 2009. She has also worked with St. Alexius Medical Center for the past four years in the Nutrition Services Department. She has volunteered for a local mosque with their administrative duties and performs community service by creating diet plans for the elderly based on their medical conditions.

 

IFANCA Welcomes Mahmood Mohiuddin

Mr. Mohiuddin joined IFANCA this past summer as a Customer Service Specialist. His past professional work experiences include working as a Senior Research and Development Engineer with Cardinal Health and Engineering Specialist with Baxter Health Care. Mr. Mohiuddin currently h old s a MBA from Roosevelt University and MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the Illinois Ins titute of Technology. He is the recipient of numerous academic and professional recognitions, Six Sigma Certified, and a Licensed Professional Engineer.

Mr. Mohiuddin seeks to streamline the halal certification process and specifically would like to make the customer service experience insightful and engaging. His top priority is exceeding customer expectations.

“IFANCA gives me the opportunity to facilitate the development of halal markets, globally, with strict adherence to stringent processes and Islamic values,” commented Mr. Mohiuddin.

Besides his position with IFANCA, Mr. Mohiuddin volunteers much of his time at his local Mosque as a Sunday School Teacher and Community Leader.

 

IFANCA Board and Staffers Donate over $20,400 to Pakistan’s Flood Victims

September, 2010 – Death and destruction following the July floods in Pakistan have been deemed worse than the combined catastrophes that were Katrina, the Tsunami and the 2005 Earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan, according to CNN. While the international community’s response was lethargic during the initial weeks of the flooding, the halal community was abuzz with efforts to raise funds to help the victims. IFANCA employees and its Board of Directors donated $20,400 to the IFANCA Relief Fund which in turn channeled 100 percent of the donations to organizations on the front lines of flood rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Pakistan.

“Natural disasters are tests – both for the victims and those physically removed from it,” said Dr. Farh at Quadri, IFANCA’s Director of Community Service. “The victims undoubtedly have challenges but we, too, will be held accountable for the actions we took, or didn’t take, to help our brothers and sisters in their time of despair.” The IFANCA Relief Fund was just one of the many fundraising efforts for flood victims towards which staffers and the IFANCA Board contributed donations. To donate via PayPal, visit www.sabeelpantry.org, click on “Donate” and mention “Floods” to earmark your donations.

 

IFANCA Preparing for Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive for Chicago’s Needy

IFANCA is gearing up once again to participate in the 10th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive sponsored by Sabeel Food Pantry and AMAL (American Muslims for Activism and Learning). Last year over 600 Turkeys were distributed to needy families at Emmett Till Academy High School on 65th and Champlain in Chicago and to families in Marquette Park.

“…The Muslim community of Chicago has risen to a need every autumn – to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves celebrate Thanksgiving, the national holiday that all Americans, regardless of faith, share in celebration. Together, we have given thousands of turkeys over these years to families who would otherwise go without,” said Dr. Jihad Soshara, AMAL Board Member.

Besides co-sponsoring the drive, Sabeel Food Pantry, an IFANCA operation at 3031 W. Belmont Ave. has served the community since 2003. With the help of community volunteers, the pantry coordinates and distributes the turkeys. Sabeel is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in the state of Illinois; all contributions are tax deductible. To donate via PayPal, visit www.sabeelpantry.org, click on “Donate” and mention ‘Thanksgiving Turkey Drive’ to earmark your donations. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Farhat Quadri at f.quadri@ifanca.org.

 

IFANCA Celebrates Eid with Staffers and Their Families

September 10, 2010 – IFANCA hosted an inaugural Eid party for staffers, their families and the community, at its recently purchased property, Sabeel Center, at 8800 W. Ballard Rd. in unincorporated Maine Township, Illinois. The facility is being remodeled to house a community center and a library, and will be used to host interfaith activities for all and any members of the neighborhood.

As reported in the local press, Dr. Chaudry said, “Some of our programs are for everybody. The library and reading room is for the whole area. Anybody who walks in can utilize that. The basis of our organization really is, right from the start, non-denominational.” Although Islam is at the heart of both the center and IFANCA itself, the building will not be used for regular worship, the report added. While it is not a mosque, night prayers were scheduled here during Ramadan, which ended on September 10, 2010.