Syed Farrukh Shabbir, M.D. Memorial Scholarship 2025
1st Place $500 Scholarship and 2nd Place $250 Scholarship for a College Bound Graduating Senior in 2025
Syed Farrukh Shabbir, M.D. was a founding member of the Crescent Peace Society who passed away in 2006 after spending twenty-seven years of his life serving and supporting our community. In his memory, the Shabbir family founded the Syed Farrukh Shabbir, M.D. Memorial Scholarship through CPS. The scholarship is awarded to a college bound graduating senior who has written the most compelling essay about the importance of peace and understanding in a pluralistic world. The 500-word essay contest is open to any graduating senior from a high school located in the greater Kansas City area.
For more information please download a packet here.
The submission deadline is April 30, 2025. The winners will be announced in May and invited to attend the annual Crescent Peace Society event.
For more information, please contact Mahnaz Shabbir at [email protected].
Syed Farrukh Shabbir, M.D. was a founding member of the Crescent Peace Society who passed away in 2006 after spending twenty-seven years of his life serving and supporting our community. In his memory, the Shabbir family founded the Syed Farrukh Shabbir, M.D. Memorial Scholarship through CPS. The scholarship is awarded to a college bound graduating senior who has written the most compelling essay about the importance of peace and understanding in a pluralistic world. The 500-word essay contest is open to any graduating senior from a high school located in the greater Kansas City area.
For more information please download a packet here.
The submission deadline is April 30, 2025. The winners will be announced in May and invited to attend the annual Crescent Peace Society event.
For more information, please contact Mahnaz Shabbir at [email protected].
CPS Annual Event Returns on Friday, September 27!
We invite you to join us on Friday, September 27, 2024, as the Crescent Peace Society holds its annual event from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. There will be several speakers and awards recognizing contributions to the interfaith community! You can purchase tickets here.
Scheduled Speakers:
Imam Mohamed Herbert - Resident Scholar of the Islamic Center of Johnson County
Elizebeth Alex - Board Member for Hope Faith Ministries
Rabbi Doug Alpert - Leader for Congregation Kol Ami
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Peggy Dunn, Former Mayor of Leawood
Leadership Award:
Alvin Brooks - Civil Rights Leader
Writer Awards:
Kalsum A. Choudhry - Author of "18 Stories of Hope, Joy & Endless...Faith"
Farrukh Jamal - Author of "Intrepid Souls"
Community Service Award:
Saima & Syed Imtiaz
Syed Farrukh Shabbir, MD Memorial Scholarship Award Winners:
Aliya Haq, Blue Valley High School
Imam Mohamed Herbert - Resident Scholar of the Islamic Center of Johnson County
Elizebeth Alex - Board Member for Hope Faith Ministries
Rabbi Doug Alpert - Leader for Congregation Kol Ami
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Peggy Dunn, Former Mayor of Leawood
Leadership Award:
Alvin Brooks - Civil Rights Leader
Writer Awards:
Kalsum A. Choudhry - Author of "18 Stories of Hope, Joy & Endless...Faith"
Farrukh Jamal - Author of "Intrepid Souls"
Community Service Award:
Saima & Syed Imtiaz
Syed Farrukh Shabbir, MD Memorial Scholarship Award Winners:
Aliya Haq, Blue Valley High School
CPS Stands in Solidarity with Albuquerque Muslim Community, Shia Muslims Everywhere
Published August 10, 2022
The Crescent Peace Society today mourned the victims of a series of shootings in Albuquerque, New Mexico that have left four Muslim men dead. The community continues to work with local law enforcement and the situation continues to develop. Thus far, one suspect, Muhammad Syed, a Sunni Muslim, was arrested in connection with two of the murders and early reports allege he was motivated by anti-Shia bigotry.
“As law enforcement continues to investigate the situation, we at CPS send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who are grieving lost loved ones. We also express solidarity with the Albuquerque Muslim community and want to take this opportunity to support Shia Muslims everywhere who have been saddened by this news during the commemoration of Ashura,” said CPS President Ahsan Latif. “These senseless murders only reinforce the need for Muslims of all backgrounds to denounce anti-Shia hatred.”
The Crescent Peace Society is comprised of Muslims from Sunni and Shia backgrounds who work together to spread inclusivity within the Muslim community and with people of different faiths. “There are almost two billion Muslims on earth and though we surely do not agree on everything, we can all find common ground in standing together against injustice and hatred and in favor of peace, tolerance and love,” said Latif.
The Crescent Peace Society today mourned the victims of a series of shootings in Albuquerque, New Mexico that have left four Muslim men dead. The community continues to work with local law enforcement and the situation continues to develop. Thus far, one suspect, Muhammad Syed, a Sunni Muslim, was arrested in connection with two of the murders and early reports allege he was motivated by anti-Shia bigotry.
“As law enforcement continues to investigate the situation, we at CPS send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who are grieving lost loved ones. We also express solidarity with the Albuquerque Muslim community and want to take this opportunity to support Shia Muslims everywhere who have been saddened by this news during the commemoration of Ashura,” said CPS President Ahsan Latif. “These senseless murders only reinforce the need for Muslims of all backgrounds to denounce anti-Shia hatred.”
The Crescent Peace Society is comprised of Muslims from Sunni and Shia backgrounds who work together to spread inclusivity within the Muslim community and with people of different faiths. “There are almost two billion Muslims on earth and though we surely do not agree on everything, we can all find common ground in standing together against injustice and hatred and in favor of peace, tolerance and love,” said Latif.
CPS Thanks Attendees of its 24th
Annual Awards Event
The Crescent Peace Society would like to thank everyone who attended and supported our 24th Annual Eid Celebration & Awards Event. Yusufi Vali, David Muhammad and Dr. Nasreen Talib were wonderful speakers and we are so happy for our Award Winner On Call Halal KC! We will continue to pray for everyone's health this year and hope we can meet in person at some point in 2021!
Interfaith Orgs Condemn anti-Muslim hate speaker invited by Kansas GOP
Published June 17, 2020
The Crescent Peace Society (CPS) and Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA), today jointly condemned the decision of the Kansas GOP to host an anti-Muslim hate speaker at an event in Dodge City, KS. The theme of the keynote address, titled “Enemies Within,” spreads hatred and incites violence against Muslims living in Kansas.
The speaker invited by organizers is John R. Bennett, Vice President of an organization called “Understanding the Threat.” Bennett has said that Islam is “a cancer in our nation that needs to be cut out” and claimed that there is "[no] difference between moderate and radical Islam." Bennett affirmed his stance, claiming that he had read the Qur'an and "Ninety percent of it is violence. And only 10 percent of it is conciliatory." Understanding the Threat is considered a hate group by the Southern Policy Law Center (SPLC) and the Committee on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
“It is unacceptable for a major political party to treat Muslim Americans, categorically, as a threat,” said Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director of KIFA. “This demonization of Muslims not only inspires discrimination against our Muslim brothers and sisters, in our own community it has resulted in bloodshed against people just because they looked like they could be Muslim.”
“We live in a state where White supremacist violence has taken lives in shootings at the Austins Bar & Grill and the Jewish Community Center, and where the FBI recently foiled a plot to bomb Muslims in Garden City. Given that history, it is mind-boggling that the Kansas GOP would give a platform to a speaker to further demonize the victims of such attacks, rather than pointing out the ongoing and real threat of White supremacist violence,” said CPS President Ahsan Latif.
Several high-profile incidents of White supremacist violence in Kansas include:
“The kind of religious and ethnic discrimination on display here is a threat, not only to Muslims, but to all religious and ethnic minorities.” said Rabbi Rieber. “As the saying goes, ‘None of us is free until all of us are free,’ and that very much includes our Muslim friends, neighbors and co-workers.”
“The folks attending this convention would be much better served actually meeting Muslims who live in their community,” said Mr. Latif. “Muslims are your neighbors, coworkers, and fellow sports fans, supporting teams that include the Jayhawks and Shockers. Some even root for K-State.”
The Crescent Peace Society (CPS) and Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA), today jointly condemned the decision of the Kansas GOP to host an anti-Muslim hate speaker at an event in Dodge City, KS. The theme of the keynote address, titled “Enemies Within,” spreads hatred and incites violence against Muslims living in Kansas.
The speaker invited by organizers is John R. Bennett, Vice President of an organization called “Understanding the Threat.” Bennett has said that Islam is “a cancer in our nation that needs to be cut out” and claimed that there is "[no] difference between moderate and radical Islam." Bennett affirmed his stance, claiming that he had read the Qur'an and "Ninety percent of it is violence. And only 10 percent of it is conciliatory." Understanding the Threat is considered a hate group by the Southern Policy Law Center (SPLC) and the Committee on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
“It is unacceptable for a major political party to treat Muslim Americans, categorically, as a threat,” said Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director of KIFA. “This demonization of Muslims not only inspires discrimination against our Muslim brothers and sisters, in our own community it has resulted in bloodshed against people just because they looked like they could be Muslim.”
“We live in a state where White supremacist violence has taken lives in shootings at the Austins Bar & Grill and the Jewish Community Center, and where the FBI recently foiled a plot to bomb Muslims in Garden City. Given that history, it is mind-boggling that the Kansas GOP would give a platform to a speaker to further demonize the victims of such attacks, rather than pointing out the ongoing and real threat of White supremacist violence,” said CPS President Ahsan Latif.
Several high-profile incidents of White supremacist violence in Kansas include:
- This past March, the FBI shot and killed White supremacist Timothy Wilson, who was involved in a plot to bomb a hospital near Kansas City. Wilson came to the attention of the FBI in September 2019 in connection with the case of Jarrett Smith, a Fort Riley, Kansas, soldier arrested then after allegedly plotting acts of violence targeting Democratic lawmakers, a news network, and cellular phone infrastructure.
- Just over a year ago three White men, calling themselves “Crusaders,” were sentenced to twenty-five years in prison for plotting to bomb an apartment complex in Garden City where many Somali Muslim immigrants lived.
- In 2017, a gunman opened fire on two Indian men at Austin’s Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas, targeted what he thought were “middle-eastern men” after asking “Is your status legal?”
- In 2014, a White supremacist killed three people in a shooting at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and Village Shalom, a Jewish retirement community, both located in Overland Park, Kansas.
“The kind of religious and ethnic discrimination on display here is a threat, not only to Muslims, but to all religious and ethnic minorities.” said Rabbi Rieber. “As the saying goes, ‘None of us is free until all of us are free,’ and that very much includes our Muslim friends, neighbors and co-workers.”
“The folks attending this convention would be much better served actually meeting Muslims who live in their community,” said Mr. Latif. “Muslims are your neighbors, coworkers, and fellow sports fans, supporting teams that include the Jayhawks and Shockers. Some even root for K-State.”
Statement on Death of George Floyd and Ongoing Protests
Published May 31, 202
On behalf of our Board and Executive Committee, I want to share our enormous grief and sadness over the death of George Floyd. Mr. Floyd’s murder by police officers was senseless, horrifying and inexcusable. Images of his killing are seared into our memories and consciousness. Our hearts bleed for his family, friends and community.
Our organization would like to take this opportunity to affirm that we believe Black Lives Matter. The sanctity of all life is important, but especially our Black friends, families and community who are in such pain. We stand in solidarity with our Black Muslim brothers and sisters, our Black interfaith partners and Black lives everywhere.
We understand that there is much anger, rage and sadness being expressed at protests locally and across the nation. We call on local police to practice de-escalation and refrain from violence against protesters. We pray that the protests can remain peaceful without destruction and provide catharsis to Black community members. We hope that these gatherings are used as opportunities by non-Black allies to support and listen to Black voices and build relationships that lead us to better future outcomes.
We strongly encourage our non-Black community members to use this time as a period of self-reflection to examine how your actions are affecting our Black brothers and sisters. In the Quran, God says: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for God, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, God is more worthy of both. So, follow not personal inclination, lest you be unjust. And if you distort your testimony or refuse to give it, then indeed God is aware of what you do.” Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 135.
We believe that our Islamic values call us to take a strong stance against racism. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in his final sermon, made clear that “an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action.” We ask God to help us model these Islamic values and ask for forgiveness for our shortcomings.
May God bless the family of George Floyd and grant him peace. May God bless our community, our city, and our country and guide us to peace as well. Ameen.
-- CPS President Ahsan Latif
On behalf of our Board and Executive Committee, I want to share our enormous grief and sadness over the death of George Floyd. Mr. Floyd’s murder by police officers was senseless, horrifying and inexcusable. Images of his killing are seared into our memories and consciousness. Our hearts bleed for his family, friends and community.
Our organization would like to take this opportunity to affirm that we believe Black Lives Matter. The sanctity of all life is important, but especially our Black friends, families and community who are in such pain. We stand in solidarity with our Black Muslim brothers and sisters, our Black interfaith partners and Black lives everywhere.
We understand that there is much anger, rage and sadness being expressed at protests locally and across the nation. We call on local police to practice de-escalation and refrain from violence against protesters. We pray that the protests can remain peaceful without destruction and provide catharsis to Black community members. We hope that these gatherings are used as opportunities by non-Black allies to support and listen to Black voices and build relationships that lead us to better future outcomes.
We strongly encourage our non-Black community members to use this time as a period of self-reflection to examine how your actions are affecting our Black brothers and sisters. In the Quran, God says: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for God, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, God is more worthy of both. So, follow not personal inclination, lest you be unjust. And if you distort your testimony or refuse to give it, then indeed God is aware of what you do.” Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 135.
We believe that our Islamic values call us to take a strong stance against racism. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in his final sermon, made clear that “an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action.” We ask God to help us model these Islamic values and ask for forgiveness for our shortcomings.
May God bless the family of George Floyd and grant him peace. May God bless our community, our city, and our country and guide us to peace as well. Ameen.
-- CPS President Ahsan Latif
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for God, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, God is more worthy of both. So, follow not personal inclination, lest you be unjust. And if you distort your testimony or refuse to give it, then indeed God is aware of what you do.”
-- Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 135
CPS Turkey Drive Reaches Goal!
Published November 17, 2019
Thank you for helping us reach our goal of feeding and clothing 500 families by raising money and collecting warm clothing this year for Thanksgiving. The Crescent Peace Society partnered with local interfaith organizations, including the Kansas City Interfaith Youth Alliance and the Faith Always Wins Foundation to support Imam Sulaiman Salaam Jr. and Project Neighborly Needs distribute turkeys, warm clothing and other services to needy families again this year. Thank you to so many of you who joined us in making the Thanksgiving holiday special for so many families again this year.
To see pictures from this last year's distribution event click here.
Thank you for helping us reach our goal of feeding and clothing 500 families by raising money and collecting warm clothing this year for Thanksgiving. The Crescent Peace Society partnered with local interfaith organizations, including the Kansas City Interfaith Youth Alliance and the Faith Always Wins Foundation to support Imam Sulaiman Salaam Jr. and Project Neighborly Needs distribute turkeys, warm clothing and other services to needy families again this year. Thank you to so many of you who joined us in making the Thanksgiving holiday special for so many families again this year.
To see pictures from this last year's distribution event click here.
The Prophet Muhammad (s) said:
“Do not turn away a poor man…even if all you can give is half a date.
If you love the poor and bring them near you…
God will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection.”
——— Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1376.
CPS Celebrates a Successful 22nd Annual Banquet!
The Crescent Peace Society would like to thank everyone who attended and supported last night's 22nd Annual Eid Celebration & Awards Banquet. We hosted over 300 guests for our biggest and most successful dinner yet! Amal Kassir was an amazing and moving speaker, Imam Sulaiman Salaam Jr., and Aisha Sharif honored the event with sincere and thoughtful prayers and our award winners shared heartfelt moments in their speeches. We'd like to thank all of our volunteers and sponsors for their hard work! We can't wait 'til next year!
To check out pictures from the dinner, check out our picture gallery!
Thank you to our 2018 Award Winners:
Peace Award:
Sunayana Dumala, Forever Welcome
Community Outreach Award:
Congregation Beth Torah
Entrepreneurship Award:
Holly Rich Godfrey, Catalyst Scrubs
Humanitarian Awards:
Fadi Banyalmarjeh & Yasser Nemeh
Business Award:
Lion Petroleum, Inc.
Community Advocacy Award:
Kansas Poor People's Campaign
Syed Farrukh Shabbir, MD Memorial Scholarship Award Winners:
Landon Butler, Mill Valley High School
What We Mean When We Say "God is Great"
“Allahu Akbar” is a beautiful declaration of religious devotion, not a call to terrorism.
Posted July 29, 2016
The act of praising God is a reverential and beautiful act in any religion. Muslims verbalize that praise with the phrase “Allahu Akbar.” Allah is the Arabic word for God. In Arabic speaking countries, Christians also refer to God as Allah, the same God worshiped by Moses and Jesus. Allah is not a deity unique to Muslims, but is simply the Arabic word for the God worshiped by what the Quran refers to as the “People of the Book.” The People of the Book include Jews, Christians and Muslims. Akbar is the Arabic word for “great.” Allahu Akbar simply means “God is Great.”
“Allahu Akbar” is a beautiful declaration of religious devotion, not a call to terrorism.
Muslims repeat the phrase “Allahu Akbar” in their five daily prayers somewhere between 150 to 200 times a day. The Adhan, or call to prayer, begins by reminding Muslims “God is Great” and encourages adherents to rush to prayer to praise His greatness. Many Muslims also use the phrase culturally in place of applause.
Unfortunately, this phrase is often abused by the perpetrators of heinous crimes in the pursuit of terrorism. The use of ”Allahu Akbar” by such criminals is disturbing and painful to the millions of devout Muslims who overwhelmingly reject terrorism. The vast majority of Muslims are left frustrated as they watch these extremists desiccating the beauty of our religion.
This frustration is multiplied when terrorists are taken to be the spokespersons of our religion. Television pundits and radio commentators often use the phrase to further mock earnest believers by claiming “Allahu Akbar” is a call to violence or rage. Many of these commentators and even some prominent politicians consider it fashionable to say “Allahu Akbar” in a derogatory tone, falsely believing that by saying this they demonstrate some deep knowledge of the religion and language. Often they mispronounce and misinterpret its meaning demonstrating their lack of knowledge and ignorance. Such rhetoric only serves to alienate the majority of Muslims.
“Allahu Akbar” is a beautiful declaration of religious devotion, not a call to terrorism. It is the inspiring notion found in all religions to place God above everything. If there is one thing all religions should be able to agree on it is the greatness of the Divine—God is Great!
For more information click here.
Javid Talib lives in Leawood, Kansas and is an Advisory Board Member of the Crescent Peace Society.
The act of praising God is a reverential and beautiful act in any religion. Muslims verbalize that praise with the phrase “Allahu Akbar.” Allah is the Arabic word for God. In Arabic speaking countries, Christians also refer to God as Allah, the same God worshiped by Moses and Jesus. Allah is not a deity unique to Muslims, but is simply the Arabic word for the God worshiped by what the Quran refers to as the “People of the Book.” The People of the Book include Jews, Christians and Muslims. Akbar is the Arabic word for “great.” Allahu Akbar simply means “God is Great.”
“Allahu Akbar” is a beautiful declaration of religious devotion, not a call to terrorism.
Muslims repeat the phrase “Allahu Akbar” in their five daily prayers somewhere between 150 to 200 times a day. The Adhan, or call to prayer, begins by reminding Muslims “God is Great” and encourages adherents to rush to prayer to praise His greatness. Many Muslims also use the phrase culturally in place of applause.
Unfortunately, this phrase is often abused by the perpetrators of heinous crimes in the pursuit of terrorism. The use of ”Allahu Akbar” by such criminals is disturbing and painful to the millions of devout Muslims who overwhelmingly reject terrorism. The vast majority of Muslims are left frustrated as they watch these extremists desiccating the beauty of our religion.
This frustration is multiplied when terrorists are taken to be the spokespersons of our religion. Television pundits and radio commentators often use the phrase to further mock earnest believers by claiming “Allahu Akbar” is a call to violence or rage. Many of these commentators and even some prominent politicians consider it fashionable to say “Allahu Akbar” in a derogatory tone, falsely believing that by saying this they demonstrate some deep knowledge of the religion and language. Often they mispronounce and misinterpret its meaning demonstrating their lack of knowledge and ignorance. Such rhetoric only serves to alienate the majority of Muslims.
“Allahu Akbar” is a beautiful declaration of religious devotion, not a call to terrorism. It is the inspiring notion found in all religions to place God above everything. If there is one thing all religions should be able to agree on it is the greatness of the Divine—God is Great!
For more information click here.
Javid Talib lives in Leawood, Kansas and is an Advisory Board Member of the Crescent Peace Society.
Scholarship InformationSyed Farrukh Shabbir, M.D. Memorial Scholarship Deadline
Syed Farrukh Shabbir, M.D. was a founding member of the Crescent Peace Society who passed away in 2006 after spending twenty-seven years of his life serving and supporting our community. In his memory, the Shabbir family founded the Syed Farrukh Shabbir, M.D. Memorial Scholarship through CPS. The scholarship is awarded to a college bound graduating senior who has written the most compelling essay about the importance of peace and understanding in a pluralistic world. The 500-word essay contest is open to any graduating senior from a high school located in the greater Kansas City area. For more information please download a packet here. The submission deadline is April 30, 2025. The winners will be announced in May and invited to attend the annual Crescent Peace Society event. Upcoming EventsCPS 2024 Annual Event
Friday, September 27, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. We invite you to join us on Friday, September 27, 2024, as the Crescent Peace Society holds its annual event from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. There will be several speakers and awards recognizing contributions to the interfaith community! You can purchase tickets here. Additional events will be announced soon!
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Press ReleasesCPS Expresses Solidarity with Jewish Community After Attack on Poway Synagogue
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