Short Testimonials

Dr. Faroque Khan is a prime example of the American immigrant story: achieving excellence in personal and professional life and then giving back to the community in more ways than one.

Dr. Khan can take credit for training and nurturing a whole generation of physicians. I, for one, am privileged to be one of the many to have benefited under his tutelage. Dr. Khan's keen and personal interest has benefited many young physicians in their personal and professional lives. Along the way, Dr. Khan excelled in academics and took many leadership positions in academia and with the American College of physicians. Dr. Khan spent a few years in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he helped plan and bring to fruition The King Fahd Medical Center.

Dr. Khan's concern for the community at large led to his lifelong involvement with the Islamic Center of Long Island. Dr. Khan's broad vision and belief in diversity led him to nurture the interfaith Institute with respect and tolerance for all faiths and religions.

Dr. Khan is a pillar of the Kashmiri American community as is evident from the love he has for Kashmir and his Kashmiri brethren. I wish him God speed in all his future endeavors.

After completing my Residency program in Internal Medicine in 1972, I was blessed with a great opportunity of undertaking my Fellowship training in Pulmonary Medicine at Queens General Medical Center in Jamaica New York in the years 1972-1973. under the mentorship of Dr. Faroque A. Khan. What a superb opportunity to not only advancing in medical field, but also learning discipline, hard work, state of the art knowledge and clinical skills, providing best patient care with the spirit of staying one notch above the others. Dr. Faroque Khan was an excellent clinician, a top notch professional, and the best teacher. Medicine was mainly clinical in those days. We had to use clinical skills, right kind of percussion and auscultation those days. That is why the great professors would spend plenty of time with the residents and fellows by the patient’s bedside.

Making rounds with Dr. Faroque Khan was fun and a great. Dr. Faroque Khan worked for six years (2005-2011) as a Senior Consultant and also as an advisor to the CEO at the King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He made an exceptional contribution within this relatively limited time including the establishment of KFMC's Research Center, the establishment of American College of Physicians (ACP) chapter in Saudi Arabia, hosting and sponsoring nursing students from BHNC in Kashmir (almost a hundred of them benefitted from this unique exposure), inviting and hosting Dr. Elias Zerhouni, the Director of NIH, and many other leading academicians from the USA to KFMC. His contributions extended beyond KFMC at both national and regional level. He conducted several national/regional meetings in partnership with the ACP. He provided courtesy input for several national and regional medical schools in a spectrum of fields including but not limited to, suggestions for curriculum, medical and clinical education and research. His engagement with some medical school continued for many years after he left and moved back to the USA. He was strong committed partner with the medical schools at King Abdul- Aziz University, Alfaisal University, and Almajmaa University and obviously, the medical school at KFMC. He initiated the Riyadh monthly academic evening in partnership with ACP. One other important notable contribution is the Journalism Workshop that he conducted with ACP and Chief Editor for Annals of Internal Medicine.

How can you describe a friend and friendship lasting more than 50 years? According to Webster's dictionary, it is a close relationship, a supporter, sympathetic, peaceful, and congenial, and all these describe Faroque. In his quiet demeanor, he has been supportive of our family with all the highs and lows that we have encountered.

Our friendship began at Queens General Hospital where Faroque and my husband Rafael were resident physicians in the early ‘70s. Later, Faroque was my husband's chief in pulmonary medicine at Triboro Hospital where I also was an RN in respiratory ICU.

We established a lasting friendship despite the fact that Faroque and Rafael's personalities were polar opposites. They say opposites attract. Our families spent many ski and tennis vacations together at green mansions. Ski vacations were always an adventure: having nine of us together in a two- bedroom condo (thank God for bunk beds). Faroque, Arfa, and Rafael were excellent skiers. As for me, not so much. Needless to say, I survived and enjoyed coming off the mountain for an enjoyable lunch. Whiteface Mountain gave me a new appreciation for life.

In 1976, we moved to our new home in Syosset. With the helping hand of Faroque and Arfa, we were able to close on our home. Christmas Eve became a tradition at my house. We created our own “God Squad” attending where our families consisted of Catholics, Muslims, Greek Orthodox, and Jews. All were brought together in friendship and love. Friday night's tennis doubles was also a fun night for the four of us. My tennis was better than my skiing! Faroque and I partnered against Arfa and Rafael to keep peace among the couples. Throughout my husband's 11-year battle with frontotemporal dementia, I could always count on Faroque and Arfa for medical advice, support, and a sympathetic ear. Our families have been through so much together but one thing I know for sure is that when you have a friend like Faroque, you can survive and flourish. Faroque, you have accomplished so much in your life with honor and integrity, and humility. I'm honored to call you my friend. On behalf of all Lievano family congratulations on all you have done and will continue to do.

Today, we gather to honor a truly exceptional physician and mentor, Dr. Faroque Khan, who has had a profound impact on the lives and careers of many trainees over the years. I am honored to recall my own experiences with him, and to share some insights into the kind of person and physician he is.

Dr. Faroque Khan was my program director in pulmonary medicine at Queens Hospital Center, affiliated with LIJ/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, from 1982-1984. He trained at least four fellows every year for many years. Later, as Chairman of Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center, he continued to be a guiding force for many physicians.

But, what truly sets him apart is his gift for teaching and mentorship. He knows the art of medicine, and he has a unique ability to train his trainees to become better clinicians and, above all, better human beings. His guidance and example have molded many of us into better physicians, with a strong focus on compassion and empathy.

During my own fellowship, he got me involved with the Nargis Dutt Foundation, a philanthropic organization that provided medical equipment and aid. He emphasized the importance of giving back to the community and helping those in need, and this has stayed with me ever since. With his example of service, I was inspired to serve as President of IALI (India Association of Long Island), later AAPI (Association of American Physicians from India) Queens-Long Island chapter, and now of the Indo-American Lions Club.

He also invited us to his home during fellowship training and treated us as siblings, which was an unexpected and heartwarming experience. This introduced us to his loving wife and family, and how he genuinely cared about his trainees beyond their professional development. He continued to stay in touch with us guiding our future endeavors. I am now proud to call him my friend and peer.

One of the most impressive things about him was his ability to bring in the best in the pulmonology field as visiting professors during fellowship. These leaders in pulmonary medicine from all over the country would come to train and teach us, providing us with diverse perspectives and expertise.

He also had a strong focus on research and current treatments, and encouraged us to pursue these areas with dedication and enthusiasm. With his guidance and mentorship, I wrote my first few research papers and publications, which was a significant step towards my career as an academic physician. This inspired me to continue to publish throughout my career.

But beyond all of these professional achievements, what really stood out to me was his kindness, thoughtfulness, and practical advice. He was always willing to listen and help, and his words of wisdom have stayed with me long after my fellowship.

So many of us that trained with him are successful throughout the tristate area. Because of Dr. Khan’s exceptional training and mentorship, many of his trainees have gone on to become leaders in the field.

Dr. Khan has made an indelible mark on the lives and careers of many trainees, myself included. His gift for teaching, his commitment to philanthropy and community service, his focus on research and publication, and his compassion and empathy have inspired us all to be better physicians and better human beings.

Today, we honor him not just for his professional achievements, but for the impact he has had on the lives of so many trainees. It is a true privilege to know him and to have learned from him, and we are all better off for having him in our lives.

As I reflect on my journey in medicine, I cannot help but think of the invaluable role that you have played in my life. You have been not just a teacher, mentor but also a guide, a friend, and a source of inspiration.

It was you who gave me a chance with my career in medicine and I am so indebted for that.

Throughout my clinical rotations as your fellow in Pulmonary medicine, I watched in awe as you interacted with patients. You had a way of putting them at ease, of listening to their concerns, and of making them feel seen and heard. You demonstrated the art of medicine, and I knew that I wanted to emulate your approach to patient care. Your passion for medicine was infectious , making me who and what I am.

But, you did more than just teach us medicine: you taught us how to be compassionate, empathetic, and kind physicians. You modeled professionalism and ethics, and you instilled in us the importance of integrity and trust.

I appreciated your guidance not just professionally but at all difficult times we went through with our personal life, you were always there for us.

I am grateful for all that you have taught me and so many others. You have been a mentor in the truest sense of the word, and I will always be grateful for your guidance and support. I hope that one day I can pay it forward and inspire future generations of physicians, just as you have inspired me.

There are very few individuals, who make all the difference in your life. Faroque bhai is one such individuals. From my first encounter with him at Queens Hospital Centre, I was impressed with his warmth, caring, and compassion. He treated everyone with respect, dignity, and made them comfortable.

I was thinking of being an oncologist, but after spending two months with him in training, I pursued pulmonary and critical care. In fact, I was his first chief fellow and subsequently a junior colleague, when he became the chairman.

Though I was interested in academics, family obligations turned me towards private practice. He introduced me to parkway hospital where he was a consultant in very high esteem. As soon as I familiarized myself at the hospital, he handed me his practice, including all the outstanding receivables! I went on to become Director of ICU to Chief of Medicine and Medical Director.

All of this happened because a great man took me under his wings. For a kid born in a small village in Kenya where there was no school, this was a dream come true. Now multiply this by hundreds, that many doctors he trained and propelled them to achieve their dreams.

A man is as good as a life partner he has, and in Arfa, did he found not only his equal but much more. Faroque bhai through his multiculturalism and multi faith initiatives has shown us that not only we can coexist but can become good people.

Faroque bhai, in the greatest vedic tradition, I bow down to my guru, my mentor and my brother. Sameer and Usha join me in saluting you for a lifetime of achievements that cannot be equaled by any one of us or may be not even collectively.

I am one of the, if not the, oldest student of Dr. Faroque Khan. I met him in July 1970. I had been accepted to the medical residency program at the Queens General Hospital in Jamaica, Queens, NY. Although there were quite a few medical residents from the Indo-Pak subcontinent, there was only one attending physician in the program, and that was Dr. Faroque Khan.

For a newly arrived young physician from Pakistan, seeing a familiar face in the leadership position, was comforting. Soon, I discovered that not only he was an attending physician in the Department of Medicine, but he was also the head of the Intensive Care Unit.

Over time, I became a member of IMANA, The Islamic Medical Association of North America, of which, Dr. Faroque Khan was one of the leaders. He helped guide me and many others as we tackled with, developed and published the core principals of Islamic Medical Ethics to serve the non-Muslim medical fraternity of the United States of America.

When I applied for and attained Fellowship in the American College of Physicians, Dr. Khan was there in the top leadership of the American College of Physicians.

Our paths crossed again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I had taken up a job as a hematologist-oncologist at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. Few years later Dr. Khan arrived at King Fahad Medical Center.

Over the last 50 plus years, Dr. Khan and I, have had close bonds whether these be professional, in socio-political activities, at the Islamic Center in Westbury, Interfaith circles and other humanitarian venues.

He has served his community and profession with passion and dedication. I salute him for his remarkable achievements and urge all of us to emulate and follow his footsteps. He has been and will remain a source of inspiration to all of us.

Short Testimonials

Dr. Khan’s medical contributions are well documented. His leadership and involvement with organizations from The American College of Physicians to The Islamic Medical Association of North American to SUNY at Stony Brook, to mention a few, are evidence of his achievements in the field of medicine. His commitment to the training of medical students and residents cannot be overlooked. Dr. Khan’s dedication to universal tolerance and understanding between diverse communities also deserves recognition.

His struggle for cultural and religious understanding and good will has resulted in the Interfaith Institute of Long Island, a long- established interaction with the Jewish and Muslim communities, participation in the Catholic TV program Our Muslim Neighbors, and an ongoing association in The Multi- Faith Forum of Long Island. In 2014, the Long Island Council of Churches awarded Dr. Khan The Community Service Award, and in 2013, The Long Island Press elected him one of the 50 most influential people on Long Island.

Dr. Khan’s many medical and societal accomplishments deserve to be celebrated. He is industrious in his medical pursuits, persevering in his mission for harmony between diversified worlds, and an intelligent, warm, and caring individual. I have known Dr. Faroque Khan since 1987 when he was appointed Chairman of Medicine at Nassau County Medical Center (now known as Nassau University Medical Center). I was very fortunate to have worked with him, happy to have him as a friend, and delighted and honored to offer recognition of his life’s achievements.

“ Our chief want in life is somebody, who can make us do what we can” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Dr. Khan is a mentor, who has inspired multiple generations of physicians and leaders around the globe. I am extremely blessed to have had the honor of being mentored by this legendary academic pulmonologist. During the thirty years of my medical career, I have not encountered a mentor who has influenced his mentees more profoundly than Dr. Khan. His visionary and lifelong mentoring has played a critical role in my career development not only in the field of medicine but also in running an educational charitable organization (Kashmir Education Initiative). The legacy of his values and the spirit of his mentorship will continue to inspire and shape the careers and lives of physicians, through the contributions of his mentees. I am an interventional cardiologist by training, however, my research interest has been the treatment of acute and chronic pulmonary embolism and I believe it was Dr. Khan’s passion for the treatment of lung diseases that attracted me to this research field. With sincere gratitude.

It gives me great pleasure to participate in the celebration of Dr. Faroque Khan’s accomplishments and contributions to the medical community. I was appointed as the Chief of the division of Nephrology at Nassau County Medical Center in 1989 by Dr. Khan who was then the Chairman of the Department of Medicine. I had the opportunity to work in close contact to Faroque for more than a decade. I will like to emphasize his qualities as an exceptional leader, a most effective educator and a very dear colleague and human being. As a chairman of Medicine, he had the difficult task to be the leader of more than fifty full time faculty members and about 100 residents in the department of Medicine of an academic institution. He managed to enhance the academic achievements of most of the faculty and was a significant supporter to enhance the academic title of the vast majority. He spent time to deal with the specific needs of each division. In my case, I found no existing members in my division. Through his guidance I managed to get five faculty that eventually reached within a decade either the professor (3) or associate professor (2) level. He was instrumental in helping me to become a master of ACP while most of the faculty became fellows. The success rate of the residents in the boards of Internal Medicine was close to 100% , exceeding the rates of most institutions in our state. I like to conclude by indicating that he succeed all the above while keeping a very friendly relationship with faculty and residents alike. As an example to his exceptional humane attitude, I like to present the numerous parties he conducted for faculty and residents in his own home and even the tennis tournaments that were organized with the participation of faculty and residents. In short, I consider myself very lucky to get to know and work in this environment under the leadership of Dr. Khan.

I have had the distinct honor and privilege of knowing Dr. Faroque Khan, professionally as a colleague and personally as a friend, for more than 25 years. I first met him on a Friday afternoon in 1987 at the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI), when I was a freshman medical student at New York Institute of Technology’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) and he was already a distinguished internist and pulmonologist, a full Professor of Medicine at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Nassau County Medical Center. He gave me his business card, encouraged me, as he has countless others, to stay involved with ICLI, join the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), and be the best physician I can be.

Over the years, Dr. Khan has served as a guiding light and beacon, always available for advice and always welcoming. A wonderful humanitarian who is known for his work in interfaith relations, he is also a legendary figure at the American College of Physicians, where he became the first international medical graduate to become elected to its prestigious Board of Regents. When I became an Assistant Dean and Chair of the Department of Medicine at NYITCOM, and later served as Health Commissioner of Suffolk County, I looked to Dr. Khan on Long Island as a role model of a compassionate, thoughtful leader who cares not only about the health and well-being of his patients and the community at large, but also those who choose to practice medicine or any of the health care professions. His positive impact on society has been felt on Long Island, across our nation and around the world. For that, we are all grateful.

I had the privilege of beginning my career with Professor Faroque A. Khan in 1994. As a student “fresh off the boat” with no direction, I entered the doors of NCMC and failed to realize that my world had changed forever. As we all know, a man of few words, Professor Khan instilled high standards, only reacting to hard work, excellence, and passion. This for me as a research assistant set the stage not just for my professional career but also my personal growth.

The hallmark of working with this scholar left a mark, it seemed that focus, dedication, and love for the field were the only traits of success. By engaging with him, I learned that cutting-edge research required not only caring for the patient and data collection but also attention to detail. This was a tedious process with no guarantee of success and was indeed a lesson. This groomed me to go through a ten-year path of research, scholarship, and surgical training. If academic excellence and clinical acumen were his strengths as a scholar, Dr. Khan also had a generosity of spirit that believed in unconditional giving. He wore his erudition with a commitment to nurturing a future generation of physician’s par excellence— both in his personal capacity and during his tenure as the physician-in-chief. Please look around how many were mentored, and you will be surprised.

His depth and the luminosity of his insight for guiding a future can be traced to his giving, a quality that a lot of us may have missed. The two other feathers in his cap not to be ignored are his dedication to solidarity and equality in religion, as well as his work to secure the future of his people in and out of Kashmir. Not many of us would focus on a character as quiet and composed as his, but there's nothing small or insignificant about his story. Sometimes, it's the quietest marathon runners that turn out to have the most to offer.

I first met Dr. Faroque Khan in 1974 at the Triboro Hospital in Queens, New York, when I interviewed there for a Pulmonary Fellows position following a prior interview with the department Chair, Dr. Nathan Seriff. The interview went well and I was offered a position. Unfortunately, I could not accept the offer. But fast forward to 1991, while resettling in New York, I found myself again in front of Dr. Khan, who was now Chair of Medicine at the Nassau University Medical Hospital’s Department of Medicine. This time around, I accepted his offer! In the course of closer interaction with him and colleagues in the hospital setting, I noted that he was very much beloved by the Residents and Staff as he brought the Internal Medicine Board Certification pass rate to lofty heights within a few years of his joining the Medical Center.

Simultaneously, I noted his activities at the American College of Physicians where he was a Master as well as a Regent of the college. He encouraged my interest in the activities of the College where I became a Fellow while sharing his interest in the education of foreign trained medical doctors. He influenced the College to establish a mini travel fellowship for middle level teaching manpower for foreign medical graduates of which the first recipient was a Nigerian physician who is now a Professor of Hematology of many years standing.

He has been a strong advocate in the globalization of the College. This initiative saw him bring the College to Nigeria and forge a liaison with the West African College of Physicians. In November of the year 2000, we were in Abuja, Nigeria as special guests of the College. The meeting remains memorable in the annals of the medical community in Nigeria.

Outside of Medicine, Dr. Khan’s activities in the Interfaith Community are well recognized nationally and I suspect internationally too. In the course of attending some of the activities organized under his guidance, I had been privileged to meet some of the key leaders in the community. These are the people he had worked with to foster harmony in the community in matters of religion. Dr. Khan is a contributing member of the Brookville Multifaith Campus where Christianity, Islam, and the Jewish faiths cohabit in the same space which just happens to be the Brookville Church on Long Island. What other testament remains to be said of such an accommodating and tolerant heart!

But above all, Dr. Khan, anywhere your name comes up, it always will be that of a good man who did so much for the medical profession and enhanced religious peaceability amongst all creeds and tongues in your community. You are the original “community organizer.” I wish you the best as you ontinue living your life as you know best and that is in the service of humanity.

It is my pleasure, a privilege, and an honor to write these few words about Dr. Khan, whom I have known for more than four decades. He has been a mentor, a fellow pulmonary/critical care physician and a true friend in times, good and bad. Everyone knows about his work as the founder and Chairman of the Interfaith Institute of Long Island. Generations of students, residents, and pulmonary fellows know what a superb clinician he is. He has practiced the science of medicine like a true academician and the art of medicine with profound wisdom and great empathy towards his patients. I will not delve into these aspects but would like to write about Dr. Khan, the man behind that excellent clinician, internationally known in his chosen field of medicine and a Master of American College of Physicians. What better way to talk about a man than to narrate some of the stories about him.

I have known Dr. Khan for more than 40 years, from the time when I was perhaps at the zenith of my career as chief of Pulmonary Department, an associate Professor, and a much sought-after physician in Kuwait. However, the turning point and without doubt the lowest point in my life came on August 2nd, 1990, when we got stranded in New York after the invasion of Kuwait. Next morning when I called Dr. Khan, in his typical calm way he said, “why don’t you stop by the hospital tomorrow, and we will see what can be done.” He offered me a research position, which got me started on a career in USA. A friend in need is a friend indeed! And, as he is fond of saying, ‘rest is history.’ By the grace of God, support of my family and Dr. Khan’s good wishes, I never looked back. But what I have never forgotten are the small but thoughtful gestures shown by him which truly reflect his thoughtful, caring, and wonderful nature. While in Kuwait, I had two offices, one in the hospital and one in the Faculty of Medicine. At Nassau University Center, I had no place to sit; he allowed me to use a portion of his office whenever I had to do some paperwork. As I felt a little awkward in ‘street clothes’, he himself put a white coat on my shoulder. When I bought my first car in USA, a small Buick Skylark, he made it a point to stop by and admire it, while his own shiny Mercedes was standing nearby. The intent of those words of admiration was not lost on me. A man of substance and great character treats others in the same manner, whether they are rich or poor, at the highest or lowest points of their life and Dr. Khan is a perfect example of such a man. He has faced some of the difficulties in his professional life and some health issues with so much courage, sense of humor and grace, that he is a source of inspiration to me.

It is a pleasure to talk to him on a regular basis. Most recently, I have sought his advice and support for a book that I have finished writing recently. He was kind enough to write a Foreword for the book. The book describes some of the most fascinating cases of my career and Dr. Khan was involved in treating some of these patients. I wish him a very long, healthy, and productive life.

I had the privilege of training under Dr. Faroque Khan in the early 1990s as a resident and chief resident at the Department of Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) in Long Island where he was Chairman of Medicine and Program Director. Today, I am Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University and Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Detroit Medical Center and Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, MI. I would like to share my experience at NUMC under the mentorship and guidance of Dr. Khan.

I had completed my medical education at the University of Jordan and my first trip outside of Jordan was to Long Island, NY. One of Dr. Khan’s unique qualities is his resourcefulness and willingness to extend his support whether it is personal or professional beyond the call of duty. I and many of my colleagues experienced this first hand, as he helped us with housing, acclimatization to a new environment, and connecting us with others. Another of Dr. Khan’s unique traits, and one that served as a model for everyone who interacted with him, is his ability to approach all issues he dealt with—inside and outside of the program—in an organized and systematic way. This is combined with his ability to mobilize and motivate everyone around him to reach their potential. These qualities shone in the way he dealt with others, whether to solve a problem, address a troubled resident, or advance the career of trainees and junior faculty.

Dr. Khan had an amazing intuition that allowed him to spot and nurture talent. He was able to recruit very high caliber trainees to his program. Combined with the outstanding training we had under his directorship, many of us were accepted into highly competitive fellowships and are currently practicing medicine around the country and the world with distinction and remarkable achievement. I remember him encouraging me to publish an interesting case or share in a publication our experience in improving the autopsy rate, or write an essay about Ibn Nafis, one of the pioneers in discovering the pulmonary circulation. His mentorship and guidance were instrumental in advancing my career in academic medicine and in publishing my clinical observations over the years. This was true with other trainees in the program and long before it became common for residents to be scholarly productive.

In addition to his accomplishments at the Medical Center, Dr Khan was a dynamic community leader of the Islamic community in Long Island. I remember his energy and organization to start an Islamic center in Westbury. I distinctly recall the first fundraising that took place to build the Islamic center and I was amazed, as a young trainee from Jordan, at the amount of money he and others were able to raise from the attendees to build the Islamic center. At the same time, Dr. Khan wanted us to be part of this noble effort by encouraging us to donate whatever a small amount we could.

Faroque Khan is a remarkable clinician, educator, researcher, administrator, and mentor. Above all, he is a wonderful human being and a close friend. I am a better person in large part because of his mentorship and continuing friendship.

It is not easy to fit Dr. Faroque Khan’s life’s achievements and special moments in the prescribed word limit. Observing his progress in professional, spiritual and personal life over three decades, we are all amazed by how much he has done and is continuing to do for the betterment of everyone. I joined Nassau

County Medical Center (NCMC) at the peak of the AIDS epidemic and watched the training program, under Dr. Khan, become one of the most academically accomplished in the country. Many successes followed but we were all happy when he was appointed to the ACP’s Board of Regents, as the first Muslim representative, which is a constant feature of his achievements.

While running a busy department, he also found the time to serve the Muslim community as President of the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI) and the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA). He invited me to participate in small group meetings with the Jewish community and put together a mentoring program for students from the Westbury High School. Just as he did with NCMC, he helped develop ICLI into a nationally recognized place of worship. During the aftermath of 9/11 when Muslim communities came under unprecedented scrutiny, he redoubled his efforts to improve our image with the help of his trusted inter faith partners. One of his admirers was the late Rev. Calvin Butts who would often pose the question to his audience, “When is Dr. Khan going to get the Nobel Peace Prize?”

In so many ways, Dr. Faroque Khan has touched and improved so many lives. He has made lasting contributions in the fields of medicine, religion, interfaith and community affairs and is a great example for all of us to live a purpose-filled life, perhaps embodying the advice of the Mahatma who said, “The best way to find yourself is lose yourself in the service of others”.

My first encounter with Dr Khan was when he personally called me to ask me why I had canceled my residency interview at NUMC. Although I tried to explain my visa concerns; within a few minutes he had me convinced that we should meet in person and it was then that I saw firsthand how adept he was at helping foreign medical graduates overcome all the obstacles imposed by the immigration service. I subsequently experienced how he went above and beyond to make us all feel very much at home in a foreign country and we would never be as successful as we are today without his unconditional support and encouragement.

I also witnessed his painstaking efforts to first identify and then go through the tedious process of getting physicians who were experts in their fields from all over the world to train at NUMC. Overnight he singlehandedly increased the pass rate of NUMC residents at the ABIM certification exam to 100 percent a feat hitherto unknown before he took over as Director of the residency program. He is an astute clinician and has been a great mentor to all his students.

Even after I left NUMC he made it a point to keep in touch despite his multiple commitments and very busy schedule. His untiring efforts to build and sustain the Interfaith institute are yet another wonderful example of how deeply he cares for his fellowmen and the entire community. Despite his many accomplishments he remains amazingly humble and the following quote from Rabindranath Tagore describes him well “We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility “

Being a fresh off the boat Indian, navigating the process of getting into residency programs including interviews was intimidating to say the least.

Dr. Khan was my second interviewer, and as cliché as it may seem, interviewing with Dr. Khan and walking the corridors of NCMC was the first time I truly felt I had ARRIVED.

There was a sense of calmness and comfort in the interview as he sat back and let me ramble my well-rehearsed reasons why he should hire mewhile that ever-present smile on his face somehow led me to believe that all along he already was well aware of the group he was going to put together.

Looking back, it became clear that cultivating these groups of people that belonged together was Dr. Khan’s forte and ultimate goal.

With this vision in mind, he turned the history of NUMC around academicallybut more importantly I felt he hadpassed on a sense of duty to all of us to pay it forward.

Dr. Khan’s desire to build cohesive groups working towards the same goal and accomplishing it is evident in his lifetime work with the various organizations.

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." His dedication to always being there for others has inspired me to try and lead similarly, mentoring medical students from the UAE for whom he facilitates placement. He has been a role model for me in IMANA and although my involvement is minuscule in comparison, he has always instilled in me a desire to help in any way I possibly can.

My name is Arsad Karcic, I am a cardiologist from Columbus OH. I came to the US in 1994 from Bosnia, my home country, that was engulfed at that time in a bitter civil war and genocide. After my graduation from medical school in 1994, I had to leave my home country. At that time ICLI and Dr Khan took a large group of Bosnian refugee children to their homes, and became their host families. The Khan family, Drs Faroque and Arfa, took me, a newly graduated doctor, to their home, where I met their wonderful children Shireen and Arif, and their extended family. Although we never met before, they treated me like their own son, gave me all I needed, and helped me recover from the horrors of war that I was exposed to. Dr Khan and ICLI were very active in the interfaith dialogue, and helped spread the truth about the crimes committed in Bosnia .I also provided eye witness account at the congressional briefing held in Washington facilitated by the late Monsignor Tom Hartman and Br Ghazi Khankan(RIP) Dr Khan was an active participant. This was all done with the help of our Christian and Jewish friends and neighbors from NY. Dr Khan gave me an opportunity to work at NCMC, where he was Chairman of Internal Medicine. There, I steadily progressed, and became a cardiologist. I can not mention enough how much he went out of his way to help others in need, privately and professionally. As the war in Bosnia dragged on, my parents were still there. Dr Khan and ICLI helped both my parents to come to LI, and join me. My father was working at ICLI for a while. Later on, Dr Khan helped my brother, also a doctor, to get a training position at NCMC.

Dr Khan improved the lives of countless people, me being one of the fortunate ones to cross his path, who will always cherish his generosity, honesty and kindness.

Dr. Khan is one of the most, if not the most well known Kashmiri American, that should give anybody an impression of his stature.

I vividly remember the first time I saw him, he was giving a lecture to medical students and faculty of GMC Srinagar. I as a young impressionable medical student listened keenly to every word, and every slide left an indelible impression, especially the one showing a helicopter landing with trauma patients.

I was lucky enough to train under his guidance and mentorship and got to observe him keenly and learn from him at every interaction. Besides training scores of residents and fellows, many of whom are current leaders in Medicine Nationally and Internationally, he inculcated in us the spirit of social and community service by being a role model and somebody who is looked up to for these attributes by one and all.

Dr. Khan's contribution to the Long Island Community by being a founding member of Institutions like the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI), Interfaith Institute of Long Island and Islamic Medical Association of North America and being in leadership roles in scores of other organizations spread across the globe is a testament to his handwork, vision and capability.

Who would not aspire to be like Dr. Faroque Khan; a wonderful human being, academician, researcher, mentor, national leader, philanthropist and an ambassador across the communities? How many have the honor of being a role model for so many? His great work will perpetually continue through the actions of his mentees.

On my first day in the USA; I arrived at the H building at NCMC, where I was supposed stay for few days. Contrary to my visions of a reception party, no one was available to assign me a room. Somehow, I ended up, with two suitcases and a bag, at the main doors of the NCMC not knowing what to do next. While I was negotiating with a stranger to keep an eye on my suitcases, I heard a voice: “Saydain, what are you doing here?!” This was the first time I came face to face to Dr Khan. Before I could figure out how he knew me, he lifted one of the suitcases and asked me to follow him. Since then, I have followed him in the corridors of Medicine, in the halls of ACP, as faculty member in his Ventilation Workshops, in the lines at the Mosque, listening to the best sermons from him and as a supporter of AFK Foundation. Even today while interacting with a junior, I think of what Dr Khan would do?

His courageous benevolence goes beyond the sphere of his direct influence. I remember, as Medicine Chair, how he saved the career of a surgical resident, as he was being thrown out of the program. One day he himself got admitted in hospital and was treated by the same residents whom he was teaching; he was leading a team which he trusted with this life.

As a beacon of light, he continues to lead us and I pray for his long life and best health, to be here for us for a long time to come.

As we celebrate the achievements of Dr. Faroque Khan today, it is important to remember that he has served humanity as a clinician, an educator, an interfaith leader, a community builder and a mentor to many physicians practicing in the US and abroad. Personally, it has been an honor and a privilege to be mentored by Dr. Faroque Khan since the inception of my medical career in the United States. I have been fortunate to receive guidance and counseling from Dr. Khan, having worked with him at Nassau University Medical Center for a decade. It was Dr. Faroque Khan, a Regent and Master of the American College of Physicians (ACP), who introduced me to my professional home of over three decades. I am eternally grateful because he taught me and many others the lifelong skills of a clinician-educator.

Dr. Faroque Khan has taught us the true tradition of medicine as recommended by the great Sir William Osler “The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business; a calling in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head.”

Dr. Khan’s imperturbable presence in all avenues of life from medicine and society to ICLI and Interfaith Institute have been exemplary. As an exceptional leader, you have taught us positive behaviors that very few can emulate. Your professionalism remains inspiring, and it has been an exceptional experience to have learnt the art and science of medicine from you. Thank you for everything.

Dr. Faroque Khan remains an icon for the Long Island community, known both locally and internationally. I didn’t know Dr. Khan from before. I met Dr. Khan in the late 90s at ICLI. Always active, steady with realistic goals, and complete dedication is what ICLI groups saw every week with him. At about the same time, Dr. Khan arranged the first ACP meeting in Amman, Jordan; with IMANA visit to Masjid-e-Aqsa. This was impressive. Establishing links beyond what is known is Dr. Khan’s strength. Hence the Interfaith dialogue and development of the Interfaith Institute. This remains Dr. Khan’s legacy.

Later I had the honor of serving in the Department of Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center under him. I found him high in ethics, deeply involved in training U.S. and International medical graduates; making the lives and careers of innumerable doctors.

As organ transplantation developed, the Muslim community had many questions. Dr. Khan’s spoken and written discourse on organ donation, surrogacy, and end-of-life issues was illuminating. ICLI, the vibrant landmark, which we see today has been the Prize of years of perseverance and consistent thinking of Dr. Khan and his team. Its nurturing environment has been the source of advice and guidance to many. Allah (SWT) has chosen Dr. Khan for these far-reaching tasks.

My husband Moinuddin Ahmed and I, wish Dr. Khan, Dr. Arfa Khan, and family health, happiness, and success always.

It is a privilege and honor to write about my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Faroque Khan, his life, and his medical accomplishments as tribute is paid to him by the Interfaith Institute of Long Island (IF-LI). I met Dr. Khan when he was appointed chairman of the Department of Medicine in 1987 at the Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC), where I had worked 19 years previously (1970-1989). I was a full-time Medicine and Nephrology Faculty Member at NUMC and had an appointment at Stony Brook University as an Assistant Professor of Medicine. Dr. Khan encouraged me to further my research since I had not published it in some time when he assigned me to oversee the Medical Clerkship Program at NUMC.

As a clinical teacher, Dr. Khan was an excellent role model, a mentor, and a friend who always looked out for the best interests of his junior faculty as they grew and enhanced their careers in academic medicine. Within a year, Dr. Khan recommended my promotion to an Associate Clinical Professorship at Stony Brook University, and when it was approved, he called me excitedly to congratulate me. He introduced me to the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) nationally, which introduced me to many physicians nationwide.

Dr. Khan is an extraordinary physician, and as such, he made many changes during his tenure at NUMC: he recruited residents entirely on meritocracy; he introduced many new methods to improve the teaching program of the residents; he was an avid clinical researcher, and brought massive funding to the Meadowbrook Medical Research Foundation; he recruited doctors from all over the country and abroad; he was highly proactive with the american college of physicans (ACP) local and national offices, bringing organized courses endorsed by ACP to NUMC, and making the medical center a well-known teaching hospital.

Dr. Khan was always a superb teacher, and residents enjoyed his teaching rounds during the morning report. He was firm and critical when residents could do better. He adored group lunches and dinners at the hospital, local restaurants, and even at his home. He was fond of seminars and lectures centered around learning activities and networking, always highly ethical, courageous, and bold in approaching challenging issues.

NUMC is a very politically oriented place where the local politicians controlled the hospital and discouraged new approaches in offering health care to the local community. As a result, a private practice plan was devised, and Dr. Khan was instrumental in that initiative, where doctors could bill for their services. The practice plan income had to be distributed fairly and equitably, and Dr. Khan played a vital role in uniting all the doctors. These were challenging times, and many doctors decided to leave and enter private practice. Thus, the scene changed dramatically, new faculty members had to be recruited and new chairpersons appointed. In 1989 I resigned from NUMC, entered private practice, and established dialysis centers.

Dr. Khan resigned from NUMC in 1999 and gradually entered other areas of medicine. He went abroad to establish new chapters of ACP and King Fahad Medical Research center in Saudi Arabia. He took a new interest in faith-based community activities and interfaith work. Although he was no longer a pulmonary specialist, teacher, and mentor, he continued to use his talents and skills in community work and political activism. Among his many new ventures was Regent of ACP, President of IMANA, Board of Trustees at Islamic Center of Long Island, and Shura council member.

I will never forget Dr. Khan as a visionary, dynamic, scholarly, and intelligent leader who is always compassionate, down-to-earth, and constantly there to guide his many charges and me throughout the years. Knowing him has been a distinct pleasure as he has enriched my life, and I wish him and his family many years of good health and happiness.

It was almost 30 years ago that I came across a personality that was instrumental in changing the course of my life. What started as a clinical training program led to a phase of my professional life that put me at the forefront of the medical profession in several ways. It led to my evolution as a clinician with ties to medical academic leadership of the country, thanks to the encouragement and guidance from a great mentor, Dr. Faroque A Khan.

I started as an intern in the Department of Medicine at the then-Nassau Medical Center in July 1993. I was fortunate to be offered the chief resident position in 1995. Our team of chief residents consisting of Drs. Shah, Rizvon, Sagar, and I wanted to bring several innovative changes to the program. It was through the encouragement and guidance of Drs. Khan and Mir that we were able to implement them. These mentors always supported us in our endeavors to streamline the training program and strengthen its academic and organizational content.

It was during this time that Dr. Khan walked into our office and asked me if I wanted to apply for the Council of Associates of the American College of Physicians. I consider this as one of the turning points of my career leading to greatly widening my academic and professional horizons. He nominated me for this position and within a year I was part of some very important ACP committees. I ultimately became the chair of the Council of Associates; a position that placed me in the Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians as an ex-officio member. I keenly watched and learned from the academic and clinical leaders of the country. I saw Dr. Khan lead this group of the Board of Regents through some very interesting times that also saw the merger of the American Society of Internal Medicine and the American College of Physicians. This was also an era when ACP- ASIM jointly were reinvigorating lobbying for the physicians in Washington DC and Dr. Khan’s understanding of the political system helped facilitate this unique effort.

This was also a period when Muslims in the United States of America were gearing up to create an identity in their communities. Dr. Khan was at the forefront of this effort and organized the Muslim community of Long Island. I participated in elections campaigns, multi-faith dialogues, and community meetings which helped me develop a valuable insight into the political dynamics of this country.

There are several lives that Dr. Khan touched with his helpful and kind nature. He understood the challenges being faced by many of us in our professional and personal lives and worked tirelessly to help us overcome them. Beneficiaries of his help and guidance are in leadership positions all over the country and owe their success and achievements to this great professional, mentor, and leader. He will always remain in our prayers. We wish him and his family all the health and success.

I am Mohammad Al-Shroof, an Internist and the Chief of Staff in Warner Robins, GA, I am one of the many trees that Dr. Khan planted all over the world.

My first interaction with Dr. Khan was in 1990. I was a medical student at Jordan University doing an elective externship at Nassau County Medical Center (NCMC) in New York under the Chairmanship of Dr. Khan. He gave many opportunities to countless international medical students to do an elective in his program. This experience of an elective at NCMC opened numerous great residency program positions for those students from all over the United States.

When Dr. Khan picked me and Nadia from JFK Airport in June of 1994 to start my residency in July and due to the number of bags we had, he ended up using and damaging his pant belt to partially close the trunk of his car. I have bought Dr. Khan 3 belts over the last 29 years to try to make it up to him. Dr. Faroque and Dr. Arfa Khan welcomed us into their home, offering us their guest bedroom for weeks until we settled. I know this guest bedroom has accommodated hundreds of students and guests over the years.

By investing time and effort to become a leader in the American College of Physicians (ACP), Dr. Khan was able to lobby for many rights of physicians and international medical graduates-IMGs in ECFMG, ACP, and in the American healthcare system at large.

Dr. Khan brought out the best in all his residents, constantly encouraging us to partake in research and volunteerism. In the 1996 competition for clinical research by the ACP, out of 10 awards, NCMC medical residents won 3 awards including me. My award was for discovering and recording a new syndrome. One core memory I have of Dr. Khan was during my residency, he invited me to accompany him to an Interfaith activity at a synagogue during Passover. As a Palestinian, this was the first time I visited a Synagogue. Hearing all the speeches that were made that day left a long-lasting effect on me about mutual understanding and the importance of open dialogue.

Under his leadership, the American College of Physicians ACP held its first international conference in Jordan, and I was honored to be a part of it. The impact of the conference on the local Jordanian physicians was tremendous, and the leadership of the American College of Physicians, a very diverse group of physicians, got to explore the Middle East. It was a tremendous opportunity for understanding two different worlds. I was a tour guide for a large delegation visiting many sites in Jordan including a Palestinian refugee camp that my family came from.

I continue to meet Dr. Khan through different activities, especially in the Islamic Medical Association (IMANA) meetings, Dr. Khan was one of the founders of IMANA in 1967 and I became the first President of IMANA born after its foundation. Without him ever preaching to me, I learned many things from Dr. Khan, he taught me to be generous, to lead through others, to forgive people who crossed you, to try to be on the table so you don't end up in the menu, to always give back to the community, to Plant a tree wherever I go for future generations, that doing any effort (even a small effort) is better than doing nothing, and many other things, I live by his examples and I implement them my life daily.

Dr. Khan is my second father. His sacrifices and leadership shaped me and many others.

A highly reputed and skilled doctor, a generous mentor, a sincere and honest human being, an educationist par excellence, -- this is a rather modest introduction to Dr Faroque khan. I could go on with this list of qualities and virtues and it would take plenty of time to speak about him. Briefly put, whatever the role he took on, he gave it his time, energy and full attention. His gentleness, his caring ways, his magnanimity endeared him to his patients, friends and colleagues. I'd say, in him met all virtues in a harmonious whole

Short Testimonials

Dr. Faroque Khan is being recognized for his immense and wide-ranging contributions to the ICLI and the Muslim community. A brief listing may serve the purpose of providing a glimpse of his contributions. He... Converted an informal Sunday school to Islamic Center of Long Island ICLI-a tax-exempt entity Emceed many fundraisers for ICLI Was elected President of ICLI-1987-1988 and 2003-2005 Chaired the Long Term Planning Committee which initiated programs, such as “Honoring Muslim Women of the Community”, The Interfaith Institute, etc. Initiated and launched the unique American Muslims and Jews in Dialogue- AMJID- program in January 1992 with Rabbi Jerome Davidson of Temple Beth-El of Great Neck. Joined Our Muslim Neighbor program of the God Squad hosted by Telicare under the guidance of Msgn Thomas Hartman and Rabbi Marc Gellman. Hosted an Islam 101 program for Elderhostelers after 9/11. Invited special speakers to ICLI—prominent Muslims from across the USA and even overseas like Murad Hoffman from Germany, Michael Wolfe from California Hassan Hathout from California, Sr. Ingrid Mattson, Sayyid M Syed, and many others.

By Fakhiuddin Ahmed, Member of ICLI Board

I was fortunate to meet Faroque Bhai more than three decades ago at ICLI. He was respected by the ICLI community due to his many achievements in his professional life as well as his involvement and contributions to ICLI.

Unlike some ICLI members, I never felt intimidated by Faroque Bhai. Maybe the fact that he could be a bit aloof and didn't suffer fools made him seem less approachable to some.

I found him witty and charming with a great sense of humor. An incident from a long time ago comes to mind. At a party, as I was chatting with Faroque Bhai, my kids (then 10 and 9 years old) came up, stood next to me, and announced that they were taller than me. I rolled my eyes and commented that everyone was taller than me. Faroque Bhai said to me, "That's not how you answer. What you say is: diamonds come in small pieces, rocks are big." He truly made my day! What a great comeback.

I will always be grateful to Faroque Bhai for his mentorship, guidance, and encouragement during my incredible journey to becoming the first Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) trained Muslim Woman Interfaith Healthcare Chaplain on the East Coast.

There is no need for me to mention his tremendous achievements in the Interfaith arena as it is common knowledge.

May Allah SWT bless him with good health, peace, and tranquility, and may he continue with his tireless efforts at building bridges with the larger community, while also working to educate people about Islam. Ameen.

On this beautiful day, my heart is filled with pride and excitement as I attend a special event to honor a remarkable person who has been a friend and supporter to me and my family for over 20 years. Today, we celebrate a lifetime of achievements and a legacy that has positively impacted so many lives.

As I write these few words of tribute, my head is filled with countless memories of the moments shared with this extraordinary person. I remember the way he encouraged me to pursue my dreams and the way he provided guidance during some of the most difficult moments in my life. He has been a friend, mentor, and role model all in one.

His achievements are many, and recognition is long overdue. He has been a pioneer in his field and has made significant contributions to the community through his philanthropic work. His unwavering dedication to the betterment of others has inspired many others to do the same.

I’ve watched with admiration throughout my years of knowing him as a cherished friend and mentor to so many individuals throughout our community. I have witnessed his numerous accolades for his contributions to the community. When he was President of the Islamic Center of Long Island, he chose me to be his General Secretary so I saw up close his humility, his professionalism, and many of his wider visions for the greater community. We even enjoyed very scrumptious meals together along the way. Its always been hard for me to phantom his motivations for all of the work that he has been involved in as he has always been one, through his own examples, to urge others to continue to give back and stressed the importance of compassion, kindness, and empathy in changing the world.

I realize that although this person is being honored for his achievements, he has impacted far more than just the audience in attendance. His contributions have had a ripple effect throughout the entire community and have inspired many to make a difference in their own lives. A most personal example that I am willing to now share, is years before meeting Dr. Khan, as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I was somewhat justifiably (I guess) filled with rage, always looking for ways to channel the training that had been solidly instilled into my person, as a solder. “Adapt and survive,” has always been to the order of the day, even as I write these words. Most of the time my world at least within my own head, was one of isolation, outside of the military. But soon after coming to the Islamic Center of Long Island, and meeting the likes of Dr. Khan, his wife, and extended family, all gradually began to change within my own head and heart, for my betterment. The Khans, like most members of the community treated me with love, kindness, and respect. They collectively taught me that where I saw threats, there were none, and that people can genuinely be kind and sincere, something that I had lost at some point, as a soldier. Dr. Khan went out of his way and visibly uplifted me personally, examples too many to describe within this tribute. But the greatest that I will mention, was when my wife and I married, on a cold New Year’s Eve, many years long ago, our ceremony took place in the home of the Khans at Dr. Khan’s insistence.

Faroque Khan, you have been my Brother, my Friend, my supporter, and my mentor, and for all of the roles that you have played in my life, I am forever grateful. You always somehow have been able to leave a sense of gratitude in my heart. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this momentous occasion and grateful for our friendship that has spanned over two decades.

I will always try to continue the legacy of kindness, compassion, and empathy that you have exemplified throughout your lifetime achievements. A legacy that will undoubtedly continue to transform lives for generations to come.

My first introduction to Dr. Khan was made via a TV commercial for cancer treatment.

As chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Khan organized a “management retreat” under the guidance of a professional experienced in corporation retreats. This was a game changer and resulted in significant changes both in the ICLI bylaws and committee structures.

Dr. Khan is highly committed to his responsibilities. He proved it during his tenure as chairman. He was working in Saudi Arabia and he hardly missed any board meetings.

The expansion project was challenging due to its size and expected costs. Dr. Khan steered the entire process resulting in the new campus with 12+ classrooms and a full-size basketball court.

Interfaith dialogue and outreach to other faiths resulted in “Interfaith Institute” which has done a great service.

Our Muslim Neighbor program hosted by Telicare under the guidance of Msgn Thomas Hartman with Rabbi Marc Gellman and Dr. Khan was well received by the large catholic and Jewish communities. Our community helped with funding and and provided additional speakers when needed. This included ICLI members and even the youth of ICLI.

Special Speakers: Over the years Dr. Khan managed to invite prominent Muslims from across the USA and even overseas for visits to ICLI such as Murad Hoffman from Germany, Michael Wolfe from CA, Dr. Hassan Hathout from CA, Sr Ingrid Mattson (ISNA president), and Sayyid M Syed, sec general of ISNA and many others.

Newspaper articles Dr. Khan frequently writes for Newsday and other local papers. Two such articles are listed below that have a significant impact on our standing in the community as Muslims.

1.A lead article in NYT at the height of Islamophobia and partly a response to Peter King’s public comments. 2.Between Black and Immigrant Muslims, an Uneasy Alliance published by New York Times on Sunday, March 11, 2007.

There are so many people one meets during one’s lifetime, but they're very few who have such a positive and profound impact not only on oneself but so many people across all walks of life. I was blessed to have worked with and for Dr. Faroque Khan over a number of years. Dr. Khan stood above everyone else for his selflessness, and commitment to his mission of bringing everyone together in a harmonious way, his valuable contribution to the field of medicine, his insightful wisdom, countless sacrifices, his fearless actions, and his standing up for what is right.

Dr. Khan always prioritizes the needs of others by making himself available to anyone at any time including myself, for which I am so very grateful. His influence has become a foundation upon which I stand today. I have never come across anyone as accomplished, humble, compassionate, professional, and articulate as Dr. Khan. His contributions to the community at large are unprecedented.

I wish Dr. Khan a healthy life ahead and thank him for everything he has done for all of us.

“Think global, act local,” are the words that have resonated with Dr. Faroque Khan’s long-lasting impact on the foundation and continued growth of the Islamic Center of Long Island. As one of the most impactful founding members, two-term President, and continued active Board member of ICLI, Dr. Khan’s visionary leadership has truly led the Center to build the reputation locally and nationally it has today, through the grace of Allah (SWT).

Dr. Khan’s passionate and relentless work in building harmonious relations with interfaith partners, government leadership, civic groups, and neighbors for the benefit of the ICLI Community with the global impact for the Ummah at large in mind, is a legacy that will be recognized for years to come. His leadership in both the initial foundation of ICLI, followed by the expansion of the Center in 2015, launching an outreach video production Our Muslims Neighbors with Msgn Thomas Hartman and Rabbi Marc Gellman, inaugurating the Interfaith Institute, and connecting prominent leaders from across the spectrum is a testimonial to his dedication to serving the Ummah at large and more specifically the ICLI community.

It is not easy to fit Dr. Faroque Khan’s life’s achievements and special moments in the prescribed word limit. Observing his progress in professional, spiritual and personal life over three decades, we are all amazed by how much he has done and is continuing to do for the betterment of everyone. I joined Nassau

It has been Dr. Faroque Khan's visionary ideas, followed by implementation through unity, team building, and charismatic leadership that grants us the ability to recognize and celebrate his lifelong and impactful achievements. I will like to congratulate Dr. Faroque Khan not only on his achievements but more importantly as a mentor and an inspiration to myself and our younger generation.

Everybody wants to live a purposeful life. It's part of our human ways, as we don't like the feeling of standing still. We need to constantly move forward to some goal or purpose. If we don't, we are less happy. But it's easier said than done, though.

What is a purposeful life? A purposeful life is when you are moving towards a big goal in your life that aligns with your values and passions and makes you happy. This is harder than it sounds because finding your purpose in life is not always easy.

Dr. Faroque Ahmed Khan found his purpose in life. It manifests in the way he has lived his life, always thinking big and delivering the goods to his beloved community. Whether it is being part of the collective vision of founding an Islamic center or practicing medicine, Dr. Khan always had a bigger purpose in the back of his mind. I have known Dr. Khan for a while now but I still don’t know much about him. To an average person like me, what he has done and continues to deliver seems near impossible. In their lifetime, everyone strives for certain goals and aspirations but rarely comes close to checking all the boxes that they hoped for. I truly believe that Dr. Khan, the way he has lived his purposeful life, has checked off all the boxes.

Hailing from the Kashmir region, Dr. Khan came to the U.S. to pursue a better life and in his pursuit of a better life, he lived an exemplary life for his peers as well as the next generations of community leaders. Dr. Khan’s achievements and successes are numerous and deserve extensive writeup but the editor of this journal has limited us to 500 words hence highlighting some and underscoring some accomplishments during his service to our community.

Founded and served the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI) as president, twice, from 1987 to 1988 and from 2003 to 2005.

Led the expansion steering committee which was charged to raise the funds for the expansion project of ICLI. The expansion let ICLI offer expanded services and programming.

Chaired the ICLI board's long-term planning comm, which introduced several new initiatives, and projects and organized some impactful programs including “Honoring Muslim Women of the Community held in 2015.

The Interfaith Institute, a critical institution to build bridges, was conceived and nurtured by Dr. Khan.

Initiated and launched the unique American Muslims and Jews in Dialogue program in Jan 1992, in collaboration with Rabbi Jerome Davidson from Temple Beth El in Great Neck. The programs held by AMJID received wide press coverage and several awards.

Well before residents of Nassau County knew who Muslims are and what Islam stands for, Dr. Khan, in cooperation with Telicare, organized a tv program, Our Muslim Neighbor, hosted by Messenger Thomas Hartman and Rabbi Marc Gellman of God Squad. Raised funds privately to support this much-needed outreach program.

Hosted an Islam 101 program for the Elder hostelers, post 9/11—the Elder hostelers traveled long distances to hear about Islam from Muslims, received great reviews, and also generated a profit for ICLI.

Special Speakers—Over the years managed to invite prominent Muslims from across the USA and even overseas for visits to ICLI.

Served as president of IMANA.

I will continue to admire Dr. Khan for what he has done for our community and aspire to follow his lead in living a purposeful life.

Many of us from different backgrounds and fields of study left our homelands and came to these shores in search of better opportunities.

As we settled and had our children, our common concern to provide them with Islamic education, brought us to this little house in Westbury. This little house stands today after 40 years as grown, multi-campus, nationally and internationally known the "Islamic Center of Long Island".

The parents had formed the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, and most importantly the Sunday School. A community was born where parents and children interacted, learned, socialized, and helped each other. That is where I met a most impressive team player, a leader, and a truly personal friend. He was one of the great visionaries setting high goals for the Center and remained humble despite his great achievements. He is:

1. kind
2. sincere
3. cooperative
4. punctual
5. committed
6. true to his word
7. always ready for a good cause
8. never angry, never upset
9. always cool, calm, and collected...

and that person is Dr. Faroque A. Khan!

Wishing him good health and best wishes to accomplishing his desired works.

I have known Dr. Faroque A. Khan since the 1990s when I first started working for Crescent School and the Islamic Center of Long Island.

He has never failed to put in his effort wherever needed, in his own very quiet, unassuming, but constructive way. His positive working relationships with members of the Board, Executive Committee, the center's various committees, and office staff are commendable.

Dr. Khan worked tirelessly in so many projects that made the Center grow, in promoting interfaith understanding and harmony, in hosting the Elderhostel group with Islam 101 after 9/11 (this was a first for ICLI), responding to countless media calls reaching out to ICLI after 9/11, inviting prominent local, national and international speakers, which drew the attention of the community and made ICLI a major Islamic Center on Long Island.

His khutbahs were always planned and prepared with substantiating statistics, and relevant information and presented to the Jumu'ah congregation in such tone and respect of attendees as if each were Ph.D. candidates. It was easy to absorb what was being presented. He even had the khutbah ready in print for those asking for a copy!

His mailbox was mostly empty, not because there was no mail, but because he attended to it regularly. He planned and prepared for any project much in advance of its due date, and gave the office enough time to make the needed copies for its presentation. A very exemplary working habit avoiding last minute stress, and not giving stress to office staff! If that is not a consideration of others, then what is? There was much to learn from his work ethic.

Few incidents which personally touched me during my work at ICLI:

1. When he was elected ICLI president for the second time, I was on leave for several months due to my mother's illness. He made time to come and visit us.
2. Upon my return to the office, after my mom had passed away in June of 2003, he had requested, not sure either a 4 or 5 percent, raise in salary for me. I was just back from leave!
3. Anyone who could spend even an hour at the ICLI office, could see how busy it always was. One time he must have noticed that the bulletin board in the masjid needed to be updated. Instead of reminding the unintentional neglect, hecametotheofficeandofferedifcouldupdateit!

If that is not humility and appreciation of others in action, then what is?

I know that both Drs. Faroque and Arfa Khan have a special place for ICLI in their hearts and both are due a major credit for its success.

With thanks, appreciation, and best wishes always.

By Munire Terpis, Staff Administrator ICLI 1990-2014

You are an incredible leader in our community, a mentor to our young people, and a wonderful friend. Somehow you manage to excel in all these roles with grace and humility. Thank you for being such an inspiration to us all!

Short Testimonials

IMANA

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I am writing to express my deep appreciation of Dr. Faroque A. Khan’s service as the President of the Islamic Medical Association North America (IMANA), as the president of the Board of Regents of IMANA, and as a dedicated life member of IMANA. Dr. Faroque’s leadership and dedication have been instrumental in advancing the organization's mission and making a positive impact on the community.

I have known Dr. Faroque Khan for almost 40 years since he joined the IMANA. I am very impressed with his commitment and support for the organization. With his vast experience as a professor of medicine and chairman of Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center in New York, he made a valuable contribution to the organization. He was elected as president of IMANA in 1986 for the usual one-year term. The organization was facing some unusual circumstances and with the majority opinion, his term was extended to two years. He demonstrated exceptional vision, strategic thinking, and a commitment to excellence. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the organization remained true to its core values and continued to fulfill its mission. His efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the organization's reach and impact, and he helped to establish it as a leader in its field.

I have attended several national and international meetings where he made contributions on many subjects related to medicine. He also organized a conference on “end-of-life decisions Islamic perspective” and has published many papers on that subject.

During our time together in the organization, I was consistently impressed by his dedication and commitment to the mission and goals of the organization. He brought a positive attitude and strong ethics, and his contributions were invaluable to the organization.

I was impressed with his ability to communicate effectively, and he always found a way to connect with the members and build meaningful relationships. His positive attitude and spirit of collaboration helped make the organization stronger and more effective.

Dr. Faroque’s passion for the organization's mission has inspired many, and his willingness to lead by example has set a high standard for all of us. His ability to inspire and motivate others has been vital to the organization's success, and his commitment to transparency and accountability has earned the trust and respect of all stakeholders.

He spent six years in Saudi Arabia as a senior consultant to King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He helped the institution to become a landmark institute providing services, research, and teaching physicians and health professionals.

I am very impressed with his work to promote interfaith dialogue and interfaith harmony, which has resulted in the development of the Interfaith Institute of Long Island. This has resulted from his efforts, commitment, and devotion since the early ‘90s to bring Christian and Jewish Communities to the Islamic Center of Long Island, promoting harmonious relationships. This venture became of more importance to the whole country after 9/11 when there were strained relationships between the Muslim communities and people of other faiths.

Dr. Faroque Khan is a close friend. I knew him through meetings of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) beginning in the early 1970s where we both made presentations. We were both academicians. We enjoyed the presentations and discussing them. We have been strong supporters of IMANA. We believed that Muslim physicians, who constitute a significant percentage of US physicians and serve a significant percentage of underserved US populations, deserve to have a voice in the American medical establishment. The best way to

accomplish this is to strengthen our own organization. We also used to meet during the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)’s annual meetings which further strengthened our relationship. Our relationship grew especially when I became the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Islamic Medical Association of North America (JIMA) in 1986. He supported the journal by submitting articles and encouraging his friends and students to do the same. In addition, he was active in financially supporting JIMA through ads and sponsorship by drug companies in whose medical research he was the principal investigator.

Dr. Faroque’s academic position allowed him to assist many Muslim medical students including foreign graduates to gain access to the US training programs and eventually become successful US physicians.

I retired from JIMA editorship in 2000. Dr. Faroque convinced me to resume the editorship and promised to help me which I did in 2005. He committed to publishing a book review and a life story of a contemporary Muslim physician in each issue, in addition to periodically submitting editorials and articles. He never failed in his commitment. Through Dr. Faroque’s connections in NY, he helped me to organize a symposium on “End of Life Issues” at Fordham University, NY. The speakers included Muslim, Jewish, and Catholic theologians, in addition to physicians from different specialties, and other scholars. The symposium covered many significant topics such as brain death, management of the terminally ill, and how the different faiths deal with these topics.

During his presidency from 1968-1988, IMANA’s finances were in trouble. Thanks to his love of IMANA and his visionary leadership, the crisis was averted. During his tenure at KSA, he arranged for several joint conferences. I personally participated in 2 of these, one in Madina and the other in Riyad.

Dr. Faroque edited a book about IMANA, its brief history, mission, achievements, and outlook. The book, IMANA: Serving Faith, Profession, and Community, was published in 2017 and is a great source to know about IMANA.

In addition to our shared efforts in IMANA, we shared interest in interfaith activities, and in politics.

On a personal level, Faroque is a gentle, calm, and wise person. I know from experience that, whenever a problem emerges, we could talk it over and suggest solutions to the involved parties. I know he is well-appreciated by all who know him. I greatly value his friendship. I wish him and his loving family good health and happy life. May Allah reward him for his efforts.

My first introduction to Dr. Faroque Khan was in 1997 when he contacted me from New York to present my paper on “Islam and Medicine” at the International Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) Conference that was going to take place in Aman, Jordan. The conference was an absolute wonderful event with Dr. Faroque as an organizer and leader of the conference, making it an unforgettable experience. I consider Dr. Khan as the “light and top leader” of IMANA who led IMANA to its greatest height with scholarly activities that were beautifully executed at each conference that was planned, including the conference on “Islamic Medical Ethics” and “End of Life Issues” at Hofstra University in New York. He made IMANA the beacon of light for Islamic Medicine.

The greatest leader mobilizes others by coalescing people around a shared vision- Dr. Khan’s leadership was defined by his results and not attributes. As a leader he had a vision to take any project to its greatest height whenever the occasion demanded. Dr. Khan has held innumerable leadership roles in his career, such as Professor of Medicine for 21 years at the State University of New York, awarded the unique mastership designation by the American College of Physicians (ACP), he was elected as board of Regent of ACP and President of IMANA, and was President of the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury. Dr. Khan was also elected as a member of “Majlis Shura” of the Islamic Society of North America. Dr. Khan has also served on the executive board of NAACP Westbury Chapter. Dr. Khan and his wife, Dr. Arfa, have the unique honor of being two of the founding members of the Islamic Center of Long Island.

Dr. Khan also laid the foundation for the interfaith institute of he Islamic center of Long Island which is the central point for many interfaith activities over the years.

Dr. Khan’s pioneering work reached out to far away countries and nations such as King Fahd Medical City (KFMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 2005-2011 where he established the KFMC Research Center and the first College of Physicians Medical Chapter in the Middle East. He was also a consultant to ailing H.E King Fhad at King Feisal Research Center. He had amazing accomplishments in a short period of time at the KFMC.

Dr. Faroque Khan’s medical career is star studded with many well deserved, highly prestigious awards and recognition from well recognized institutions from within the US and abroad. Dr. Khan’s outstanding work and achievements have been an inspiration to one and all. We wish Dr. Faroque Khan and his beloved family, ie. his wife Dr. Arfa Khan, his daughter Shireen, his son Arif and his daughter in law Seema, and beautiful grandchildren Hassan and Leena a lifetime of happiness, good health, good luck, peace, and prosperity as they move forward. May Allah (SWT)'s blessings be upon them eternally.

Growing up in the US as a first-generation American Muslim, it wasn’t always easy to find strong Muslim role models. It wasn’t until I joined IMANA as a second-year medical student that I got to meet some of them— these pioneering physicians who had exemplified the balance of deen and Dunya. One of those physicians is Dr. Faroque Khan. Between the student observership program with Saudi Arabian medical students, establishing connections with the American College of Physicians, authoring IMANA’s 50-year history in a published book, receiving multiple awards, elevating climate change concerns, empowering his local community for more than 40 years, and helping a junior physician understand her roots in an organization like

IMANA, Faroque uncle has been and continues to be a shining role model for the Muslim community. I’m very grateful for his foundational work and May Allah continue to bless him and his family.

It is very difficult, if not impossible, to draw a circle around the multifaceted and multitalented Dr. Faroque Khan. Just his accomplishments in the field of medicine are breathtaking. As an academic physician/researcher, he broke new ground in his chosen field of pulmonary and critical medicine. Along the way, he rose through the ranks to become a regent of the American College of Physicians. He has also led the Islamic Medical Association as president.

Dr. Khan is a practicing Muslim and has been at the forefront of helping build the Islamic Center of Long Island that he led for many years. Realizing the religious divide between various faith, he was among the handful of Muslims who reached across the divide to find a middle ground. That culminated in the Interfaith Institute of Long Island. In the short span of a few years, the Institute has made its name as a shining example of interfaith understanding and cooperation.

But to talk about only the remarkable accomplishments of Faroque Khan is to neglect the man himself. To properly characterize him one must borrow from literature. Atticus Finch, the central character of Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird portrays what Faroque Khan exemplifies: empathetic, kind, non-judgmental, and treating people regardless of their social status, race, or background.

There are thousands of people that Faroque Khan has touched with his grace and kindness, including this writer. Perhaps William Wordsworth summarizes best a person like Faroque Khan: “The best portions of a good man’s life: His little, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”

It is an honor indeed to have known Dr. Faroque Ahmad Khan for more than 40 years. I had the pleasure of working with him on the executive boards of the Islamic Medical Association of North America, the Islamic Society of North America, the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations, and several other platforms. Dr. Faroque is a man of character and integrity and works hard on the projects he gets assigned to or he elects to adopt. We have all benefitted from his wisdom and sincere contributions toward strengthening these organizations. His involvement with King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh Saudi Arabia from 2005-2011 was one the highlights of his career. He established the KF Research Center and the American College of Physicians chapter there, and Saudis loved him so much that he ended up spending six years instead of one year contract. Dr. Khan has touched the lives of many through his dedication to his profession, his commitment to helping those in need, and his advocacy for medical policies not only in the US but around the world. He always played a very constructive role with his organizational skills. He is a beacon of hope for us all and his legacy will continue to influence the lives of many for years to come. We are thankful for all the work he has done and for the example he has set for us. We wish him a long and healthy life.

Always was the backbone of IMANA. He was the only person to become the President of IMANA for two terms in 1986 and 1987. Both Faroque and Arfa are life members of IMANA.

Coming from Kashmir Government Medical College, he went on to specialize in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases. From 1987 to 1999, he served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Nassau Medical University Hospital. We can give him credit for training over 350 Internists and Pulmonologists now scattered around the globe. He was a Professor of Medicine at Stony Brook and has received numerous teaching awards. Dr. Khan was the first Muslim awarded a Mastership of ACP (American College of Physicians), indeed a rear distinction. Dr. Khan steered IMANA to its present status. He served on the Board of Regents of IMANA a number of times and played a leading role in continuing Medical Education both locally and internationally. He was a key person in bringing forth to discuss difficult issues of Islamic Ethics and End of Life issues and played a key role in articles in JIMA (Journal of IMANA).

He was appointed as a Consultant to King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and pioneered its Research programs and was able to establish a linkage between KFMC and many leading institutions in the USA: like NIH, Stanford, and IMANA. This was instrumental in bringing Saudi Medical Students to the USA to do observerships in IMANA Physicians' private offices. There are at least 150 medical articles to his credit.

Dr. Khan played a key role in Long Island Interfaith Relations and was the founding person of IFI (Interfaith Institute of Long Island).

It’s been a pleasure and honor to work and learn from Dr. Faroque Khan. I wish him and Dr. Arfa Khan a long healthy life. God bless you for all you have done for humanity.

I find myself fortunate to work with Dr. Faroque Ahmad Khan. His tremendous stamina, interest, and input have been valuable to our CME committee. He helped us to achieve full commended accreditation from the ACCME. His leadership in establishing relationships with Saudi Arabia medical facilities is of tremendous value to IMANA and the participants.

His valuable insight and wisdom were fruitful when he facilitated the onsite visit of four members of the IMANA executive team to King Fahd Medical City. This effort resulted in the Saudi Medical Students Exchange program. Consequently, every year several medical students were accommodated in the United States for their training. This program helped in the education and learning of skills of Saudi graduates.

I met Faroque thanks to his spouse Arfa, a great radiologist in my field as she invited me to give lectures at her institution in 1986. I was struck by their kindness and while Faroque was chief of the Department of Medicine, I was immediately struck by his dedication to the wider community around him and attachment to his roots in Kashmir. With his gentle, affable manner and hospitality, we became friends and I understood his exceptional nature. Over the years, we remained connected and I was privileged to be invited again during my tenure as director of the National Institutes of Health of the United States this time to meet his Muslim community and to support his efforts at linking with other religious communities in a positive and constructive way to increase mutual understanding so much needed in those challenging times to the present. His continued commitment to advancing medical sciences worldwide was again demonstrated when he assumed responsibilities in Saudi Arabia to advance medical research there.

Humanity is blessed to have benefited so much from Faroque ́s compassionate leadership in times when the world is in dire need of such a legacy.

ISNA

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We are so happy and excited to hear about this event honoring your lifelong work. We are so grateful to Allah SWT for connecting us with you. We feel so blessed to know you for so many years and to work with you so closely at ISNA. You are an inspiration to so many of us.

We look up to you for your leadership and for your pioneering inter-religious and interfaith work. You have been a blessing to our community. May Allah SWT accept your sincere efforts and continue to shower his special blessings and mercy on you and your whole family.

With sincere salaams and fervent prayers.

I would like to express sincere appreciation, from myself and on behalf of all the supporters of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), for your years of giving of your time, energy, ideas, and wealth to this organization. We pray Allah SWT will bless you for your dedication and service, and Allah is the Most Gracious.

It takes the efforts and contributions of all of us to successfully fulfill out goals of improving the quality of life of Muslims in North America, indeed of all people. I personally am deeply grateful for your sound advice and brotherhood these past years.

With deepest regards and Salams.

Arfa & Faroque Khan (AFK) Foundation

INTRODUCTION

AFK Foundation Inc— Arfa and Faroque Khan Foundation was incorporated under section 402 of Not-For-Profit Corp. Law. EIN: 11-341 6763 on October 29, 1997.

The purpose of the AFK Foundation is to provide humanitarian, charitable, and relief work to people in need. To assist poor, needy, and underprivileged youth with financial assistance and scholarships. These services will be provided irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, or creed.

Over the past 26 years, the AFK Foundation has provided these services with a particular focus on Kashmir. Since September 2009, each year, ten to fifteen nursing students from Bibi Halima Nursing College in Kashmir have hands-on three-month training at King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh/KSA. AFK, with generous support from donors, provides transportation from Kashmir to Riyadh, Kashmir, and other incidentals. KFMC provides housing/training.

The average cost per trainee is $750-$800 and the total cost of the project for 90+ trainees is approximately $70,000 to over $70,000. Sadly, the program was stopped due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Attached are a few comments from BHNC trainees after spending three months at KFMC:

• “life-changing experience”
• “out-of-box experience”
• “changed outlook about nursing”
• “infection control”
• “team management”
• “learned more in 3 months than in 4 years at BHNC”
• “policies and procedures”
• “it was a blessing to come to KFMC”
• “the importance of documentation”
• “the importance of ethics in particular Islamic ethics”
• “pain management”
• “new technology”
• “multi-ethnic helpful staff”

Currently, in 2023, the AFK supports the following students: 1. FB— The postgraduate university of Duluth pursuing Masters in Environmental Exploration 2. IA– University at Buffalo pursuing Masters in Urban Planning 3. SB– University of London, UK, pursuing Masters in Public Policy, Finance, and Management 4. QB– University of London, UK, pursuing Masters in Cultural Curation 5. MKA—Bishek, Krygstan as a 4th year medical student. Plans are currently in place to further expand the outreach and programs of the AFK Foundation Inc. AFK support for US-based NGOs: Kashmir Education Initiative and Chinar are highlighted in the reports from Yunus Fazili and Irfan Shahmiri and the impact of the AFK foundation on educational and health care is summarized in the report from Professor Ghulam Malik from Kashmir.

REPORT

“A good teacher is like a candle— it consumes itself to light the way for others.” - Mustafa Kemal Ata Turk

Dr. Khan, a luminary, an icon, has served as a founder, supporter, visionary leader, and mentor to a host of charitable organizations operating in various domains. While his financial largesse and resourcefulness have been immense, it is my conviction that his most important contribution to philanthropy has been sculpting the souls and minds of those whose lives he has touched by ensuring that they endeavor to make this world a better place. Given the imprint that he has left on their lives, it is no coincidence that his students and mentees have founded and marshaled many philanthropic organizations here and abroad.

I serve as the President of the Kashmir Education Initiative (KEI), a US-based non-profit organization, that provides access to education to a thousand, bright but underprivileged children, in Kashmir, India. Right from our humble beginnings in 2008 where we supported 11 children, till today, Dr. Khan’s contributions to KEI have been immense. As a highly talented physician and a thought leader in the field of medicine, his contributions to inspiring, educating, and training generations of young physicians are very well known. Notwithstanding his immense contributions in the area of Medical Science, his contributions to organizations like KEI are, perhaps, noteworthy. From our inception, he has served as a champion supporter of our mission, by providing:

• Generous Financial Support every year since our inception
• Strategic counsel to the organization’s leaders
• Access to a diverse network of donors
• And ensured our instant credibility by lending his name and supporting us in public forums whenever required.

His unmatched ability to inspire and connect people across the cultural, religious, and geographic spectra has implied that he has facilitated our growth by spreading our message far and wide across his network over the years. Financial support from luminaries like Dr. Khan has allowed us to grant 7000+ scholarships over the years and provide access to education to almost 2000 scholars since inception. His and Dr. Arfa’s pioneering efforts in establishing a Named Scholarship for higher education in areas like Anthropology, Art, Journalism, Languages, and Law have allowed the organization to promote scholarship in areas outside its traditional domain. However, the greatest testament to his imprint is that this organization has always endeavored to inculcate the same values and spirit of leadership in our scholars in the same manner as he did in our past Presidents and Board Members when they learned under his able tutelage as his students years ago. To him, we owe our entire paradigm!

Faroque Khan, Dr. Arfa Khan, and the AFK Foundation have supported numerous initiatives, focused on medical education in Kashmir details of which are listed below:

1. Lectures given by Dr. Faroque Khan, Dr. Arfa, and other doctors at international conferences from 1985- 1999 organized with the American College of Physicians (ACP), Government Medical College (GMC), and SKIMS in Srinagar.
2. Dr. G.H. Rasool essay award for medical students in Kashmir.
3. Training fellowships of Dr. Malik in gastrointestinal and ultrasound and of Dr. Kamili in pulmonary medicine critical care in the USA.
4. American College of Physicians (ACP) awards to Dr. Zafar, Dr. Kamili, and Dr. Malik during the international medicine conference in 1999.
5. Lecture on medical writing on the occasion of the 1 year anniversary of the JK Practitioner journal.
6. Donation of computers worth $10,000 with Wi-Fi facilities to the main library of GMC, along with journals worth $10,000 dollars.
7. In 1994, Dr. Faroque Khan, the AFK Foundation Chairman, helped lead to the success of the first international journal from Jammu & Kashmir, the JK Practitioner, including sending articles and asking NRIS in the USA to publish work in it, which helped its quick indexing in PubMed, Scopus, INMED, and more with better SJR and Impact Factor metrics.
8. Dr. Faroque Khan, with Dr. Tanveer Mir, provided booklets and CDs on the USMLE exam to help students pass ECFMG Examination.
9. Dr. Faroque Khan arranged jobs for qualified J&K doctors in USA hospitals; most of them became eminent superspecialists, especially in chest medicine.
10. The AFK Foundation provided short-term fellowships to Kashmiri doctors including Dr. Kamili, Dr. Mukhtar, Dr. Malik, and Dr. Parvaiz Koul. a.After returning from the USA, most of them developed super specialty facilities like gastrointestinal video endoscopy, ultrasound, bronchoscopy, ICU, CCU, pulmonary labs, and CT and MRI services in GMC, SKIMS, and the private sector in Srinagar, Kashmir. These doctors then trained their junior consultants, who are currently in the faculties of 7 new GMCs and DSIT.
    • Professor Koul is the Director of SKIMS.
    • Dr. Malik and Dr. Kamili are retired as consultants and chairs of various departments and sections of medicine in GMC.
    • Dr. Mukhtar is the number 1 leading radiologist with the best imaging center in Srinagar.
11. AFK Foundation had paid admission fees for GMC faculty to take short courses in the USA without the beneficiaries’ knowledge.
12. AFK Foundation donated to NGOs helping Kashmir during the 2014 floods.
13. AFK Foundation sponsored free dialysis for poor patients.

Dr. Faroque Khan’s history of contributions to GM Malik is chronicled below:

1. GM Malik has been affiliated with Dr. Faroque Khan since 1985, with the 5-day international conference on cardiopulmonary held at the scenic Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir.
2. In 1986, Dr. Faroque Khan arranged Dr. Malik’s fellowship in gastrointestinal endoscopy ultrasound in the following centers in the USA: Queens LIJ in NY, Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia, and Prince George in Maryland.
3. Dr. Faroque Khan regularly utilized Dr. Malik’s services as coordinator, organizer, and secretary for various international conferences and Continuing Medical Education workshops held at a variety of medical institutions in Kashmir, GMC, SKIMS, and SKICC, under course directors like Dr. Syed Zahoor Ahmed, Dr. Girja Dhar, and Dr. Ghulam Qadir Allaqaband.

Conclusion:

Dr. Faroque Khan, individually and via the AFK Foundation, has helped medical education in Kashmir through conferences, Continuing Medical Education workshops, and access to USA fellowships, training, and jobs. Professors Faroque and Arfa Khan, and their team, are the first batch MBBS Alumni of GMC Srinagar and the leading Kashmiri physicians in the world.

Dr. Faroque Khan helped guide many doctors in Kashmir, as well as those in the USA fulfill their potential and achieve national and international recognition. Dr. Khan takes great pride in the accomplishments of his trainees both from Kashmir and from around the world. Over 350 trainees at NUMC graduated from the NUMC during Dr. Khan’s twelve-year tenure as chair of Medicine from 1987-1999. God bless him and his Foundation team.

Dr. Malik tries to follow Dr. Khan as his academic social guru in Kashmir. Dr. Malik established the 28-year-old JK Practitioner, got Kashmir on the World Medical Map, and established a 4 story guest house cum auditorium with Kashmir IMA offices from voluntary donation, along with facilities for CME conferences at GMC Hostel Bemina Srinagar: www.kashmirimahouse.org. More photos are available in www.jkpractitioner.com issues and GM Malik’s Facebook.

By Dr. G. M. Malik from Kashmir

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Life was tough, there was, pain, killing, and, scare all around Kashmir in the ’90s. For those of us studying medicine, there was double trouble. Healthcare was gasping, Government Medical College Srinagar was just surviving... While I was remembering, recollecting, and rehearsing the difficult chapters of medicine and surgery-death, destruction and pain were too conspicuous to be missed. I wanted to write about the sorry state of affairs here and express my views about the ongoing pain.

essay on any aspect of healthcare in Kashmir was desired by AFK (Arfa and Faroque Khan) Foundation USA. I wrote my essay— a sentimental one about the plunder of healthcare in Kashmir amidst turmoil and highlighted the agony of Kashmiri patients. One day, I was informed that my essay titled “Kashmiri patients— innocent or ignorant” had won AFK sponsored Dr. Ghulam Rasool Memorial Award. I attended the award ceremony; an immaculately dressed gentleman with a clear voice gave “Dr. Ghulam Rasool Memorial Oration”. I was called to the stage, praised for my essay, and presented a cheque for $75. Someone had read my essay, appreciated my views, and encouraged me. The man was Dr. Faroque Khan who helped me to pen my thoughts and honored my work. With this award, hitherto, clogged— my mind started opening. I rejoiced as my essays were adjured the best by the AFK foundation for three consecutive years. I had found an outlet; my thoughts had found a channel. After this opening, I won almost every competition that I participated in. I wrote regularly in local dailies on varied topics though primarily focusing on healthcare. After a few years, I wrote a book titled White Man in Dark, purging out my experience as a doctor and a medical student studying medicine in the worst phase of Kashmir’s history. Dr. Faroque purchased 100 copies of my book, distributing them for free amongst non-resident Kashmiri doctors. The book reached where our voice would never reach!

Next, I realized not much was written about Kashmiri doctors of yore or present who had contributed to healthcare in Kashmir or abroad. I wanted to collect their inspiring stories and write about them. I shared my idea with Dr.Faroque Khan; he endorsed my idea and agreed to be the co-author. He collected the stories of some of his colleagues from Kashmir who were working in the US and contributed to the book titled Warriors and Falcons. I struggled to collect nearly 80 more stories. It was a difficult task but he encouraged me to continue and actually would skillfully remind me of my goal... After 6 years of struggle and hard work, the book was completed and will be published soon. I need to thank the trustee of AFK Foundation, Dr.Faroque A Khan, who recognized a non-entity and transformed me into a writer.

By Dr. Rumana Makhdoomi from Kashmir

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I have been aware of Dr. Faroque Khan since my childhood, but it wasn't until 2014 that I truly got to know him. Growing up with Dr. Khan’s nephews in Kashmir in the ‘70s and ‘80s, I often heard stories about this larger-than-life person who lived in the USA and was known as Faroque Chacha (Chacha meaning uncle). When I moved to Florida in 1990, I became more aware of his inspiring work, as he was helping young doctors in Nassau County, New York.

It wasn't until much later, when I co-founded CHINAR International for children and youth in Kashmir in the early 2000s, that I finally met Dr. Khan. In 2014, when devastating floods hit Kashmir, I was leading CHINAR's disaster relief efforts, and Dr. Khan came to Kashmir to offer his support. This is when our relationship truly began.

Over the years, Dr. Khan has been a tremendous help not only to CHINAR, but all NGOs focused on Kashmir. He has been loving, kind, passionate, objective, and neutral in his support, tirelessly raising funds and opening doors for us. To me, Faroque Chacha is more than a larger-than-life figure; he is a humanitarian par excellence and a true legend.

SHORT TESTIMONIALS

I’m Fouzia Bhat, from Kashmir pursuing a graduate degree in Outdoor Environmental Education at the University of Duluth, MN. Dr. Khan and the AFK Foundation have been supporting my education and I express my sincere gratitude for the financial support the AFK Foundation provided me with to help pay for my tuition. This generosity has allowed me to continue pursuing my academic goals and has made a significant difference in my life. I have been able to focus on my studies without the added stress of worrying about how I would pay for my tuition fees. It has also enabled me to access resources and opportunities that I may not have been able to otherwise. This has allowed me to grow as an individual and develop the skills I need to succeed in my academic and professional endeavors. While studying Outdoor Environmental Education, I have had access to resources and opportunities that were previously unavailable to me. This included my observation time for a full semester at a nature preschool to have a hands-on experience with my class work. Studying Outdoor Environmental Education has a significant impact on the environment and communities by promoting sustainability and conservation efforts. By supporting my education in this field, Dr. Khan is also contributing to the overall well-being of the environment and society. I hope to return to Kashmir and use my knowledge and skills for the community in general and women in particular.

Thanking the AFK Foundation for their kindness and generosity. I will always be grateful for their ongoing support and will strive to make a positive impact in the world as I continue on my academic and professional journey.

• When he flew to the other side of the Globe,
• For knowledge,
• Leaving behind-a home.
• Would it mean, he had left it forever?
• Would it mean, he could no longer walk on the soil he loved,
• Or enjoy the splash of its unique waters,
• Or the gentle touch of its air?
• Would Kashmir be just a sweet, bitter, or a painful memory?
• But then that was his Dad’s wish too...
• An alien land eventually became a home,
• Learning became a joy,
• Workplace offered a warm embrace,
• The fragrance of love spread all round.
• Love and learning came hand in hand,
• And then he remembered the homeland he had left behind...
• The poor inhabitants and their miseries...
• Could they come over and get a taste of knowledge?
• Could they come over to hone their skills?
• Could they come over to be where he was?
• Could he make stars out of sparks back home?
• And then- They came in ones, twos, and tens.
• He quietly held their hands.
• Wiped their tears and removed their fears,
• They all became leaders in a “land of opportunities”.
• There was yet another community nearby,
• Terrified and jittery to pronounce their faith,
• He worked with them, for them, on them-
• He build a place brick by brick,
• The place was open for all seekers of faith,
• Together they could talk "peace" there.
• Together they could break the barriers.
• Together they could sing a prayer of HOPE!

By Dr. Rumana Makhdoom from Kashmir

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS (ACP)

INTRODUCTION

Few Take Home Messages— Faroque A. Khan, M.A.C.P.

ACP is the premier organization for all internists and medical sub-specialists. My first experience with ACP in late 1970s was disappointing in that my application for Fellowship in ACP was REJECTED, even though I thought I had met all the required criteria for FACP including having a faculty position at Stony Brook, I had published several articles and held an administrative position. No reason for the rejection was provided.

Fast forward a few years and I was visited by the governor of the New York State chapter Dr. Eleanor Wallace at my office in Nassau County Medical Center. Dr Wallace shared with me her concerns about the complaints from International Medical Graduates (IMG) who were complaining about discrimination in hospital jobs, assignments, and promotions. Dr Wallace went on to say: “Faroque as a prominent IMG chair of medicine at NUMC kindly get together some folks and give me some recommendations of how to address this issue, she went on to add the caveat the ACP local chapter was unable to provide budget support".

I put together a team of co-chairs and program directors from the NY area and also consulted with some key foreign graduates who were in training and together, we formulated and prepared a book titled: International Medical Graduates in U.S Hospitals—A guide for Program Directors and Applicants—published in 1995 by the American College of Physicians.

After that, I was nominated to run for a Regent of American College of Physicians, a highly prestigious position with about 24 individuals from across the country, basically setting the tone and governance of this major internal medicine organization. I served in this prestigious impactful position

from 1995—2001. I got elected as the first Muslim Regent of American College of Physicians. At the first meeting of the Regents of the ACP on the 9th floor of the imposing headquarter of ACP in Philadelphia, we were presented a report about a recent the conference held by ACP in China which was a total flop both in numbers as well as in finances. ACP I felt was a bit hesitant on embarking on future overseas programs and initiatives.

I requested the Regents to give me permission to conduct a meeting in an international arena, that I will need no funds and the only thing I need is the support of the ACP headquarter with publicity. The board gave me the green light. I organized a meeting in Amman Jordan in consultation with the Jordanian Faculty of Medicine and the Islamic Medical Association of North America of which I was a executive committee member and the American College of physicians, we put together a program in Amman where over 600 people showed up. Yes, that's correct:

over 600 attendees, we ran out of hotel rooms, it was an overflow overflow crowd, and the icing on the cake was that several of the ACP national leaders also came to the meeting. When I returned back to New York and attended the Regent board meeting, I presented a copy of the check showing the profit for the ACP, so here we were, when we were actually had exposed ACP to over 600 new physicians, run a top notch CME course in Amman, Jordan and turned the profit in the process. So, I think this meeting kind of paved the way for the ACP to pay closer attention to the potential for expanding its base of international medical graduates both in USA and globally.

In late 90’s, I had to visit Jeddah for a family wedding, and in my capacity as the Regent of the college, I sent a note to all the members of the ACP in Jeddah if they would like to meet with me and share their issues and concerns about ACP. Luckily, professor Mohammad Al Hadramy, a senior faculty member at King Abdulaziz University a senior faculty member at King Abdulaziz University and I had a lovely conversation. We exchanged ideas of how we could develop relationship which would be mutually beneficial for ACP and Saudi Arabia. Soon, a request came from Dr. Hadramy for joint medical meeting with ACP. This led to a unique meeting in Jeddah attracting over 500 people and kind of cementing the name of American College of Physicians in that part of the world. Soon after that, one thing led to another, I was called to consult on a very prominent patient in Saudi Arabia. During that visit, I was approached by Dr. Abdullah al Amro, who was the CEO of a new newly established King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) in Riyadh. Dr. Amro invited me to join his team as he was developing the policies, procedures, and programs for this mega medical center and initiating a new research center for KFMC which had over thousand beds and four hospitals and a medical school. I agreed to come for a year however ended up staying six years, and what we did there was amazing and it's summarized very nicely in the accompanying write up by professor Omar Hassan Kasule who is still at KFMC. Drs. Khalid Qushmaq, Walid Hassan, Saima Chaudhry, Mahmoud Al Jurf provide additional insights of the work and impact at KFMC from 2005-2011. The take home lesson from this experience which spans of twenty plus years is that personal contacts and personal interaction makes all the difference in the world and earning the trust of the hosts in Saudi Arabia and then convincing the leadership of ACP that there was much to be gained by joining and expanding ACP presence in that part of the world was the take home message. The crowning accomplishment was when we launched the first overseas chapter of ACP in Saudi Arabia in 2011. This chapter is now thriving and has almost doubled and tripled its membership since it was started in 2011. That summarizes my experience in Amman with the mega conference in 1996 and then the many projects initiated in Saudi Arabia from 2005-2011.

All this transpired following the task assigned to me by late Dr. Eleanor Wallace, ACP governor who was considered with the prevalent IMG discrimination in NY. I accepted the assignment, completed the task, which led to publication of the IMG book, followed by awarding of Mastership by ACP to me and then getting elected to be a Regent of the college.

All this happened to Dr. Faroque A. Khan who’s initial application for Fellowship in ACP was rejected in the '70s and then got elected Reagent in 1995.

PIONEERING CONTRIBUTIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA

By Omar Hasan Kasule M.B. ChB (MUK), MPH (Harvard), DrPH (Harvard), Professor of Epidemiology and Bioethics at KFMC and Chairman of Research Ethics and Medical Ethics Committees at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital Riyadh

Professor Faroque Khan was invited to Saudi Arabia in 2005 as a specialist consultant on an important patient. His hosts were so impressed they asked him to stay which was an excellent decision for Saudi Arabia because over a period of 6 years, he made tremendous contributions to medicine in the country. Based at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Professor Faroque founded the Research Center which became a major clinical research organ under his stewardship. He then founded the Institutional Review Board (IRB) that was among the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. It became a model for other hospitals and universities. KFMC benefitted a lot from Prof. Faroque’s extensive management experience. He established the bye laws and advised all departments on planning and executing programs. He was an advisor to the Chief Executive Officer on a daily basis and all other top administrators sought his guidance. He alone was responsible for specialist physician recruitment from all over the world to come and work at KFMC. A major achievement that is still remembered today was inviting Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of NIH, who was very inspirational.

Professor Faroque Khan was invited to Saudi Arabia in 2005 as a specialist consultant on an important patient. His hosts were so impressed they asked him to stay which was an excellent decision for Saudi Arabia because over a period of 6 years, he made tremendous contributions to medicine in the country. Based at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Professor Faroque founded the Research Center which became a major clinical research organ under his stewardship. He then founded the Institutional Review Board (IRB) that was among the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. It became a model for other hospitals and universities. KFMC benefitted a lot from Prof. Faroque’s extensive management experience. He established the bye laws and advised all departments on planning and executing programs. He was an advisor to the Chief Executive Officer on a daily basis and all other top administrators sought his guidance. He alone was responsible for specialist physician recruitment from all over the world to come and work at KFMC. A major achievement that is still remembered today was inviting Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of NIH, who was very inspirational. Professor Faroque Khan was a great support to the newly established faculty of medicine where he taught and worked on developing academic programs. The crowning achievement of Professor Faroque’s career in Saudi Arabia was the founding of the Saudi Chapter of the American College of Physicians which is still active to date. This is one of the few chapters outside the U.S. At last, Saudi medicine had reached a level of international recognition. Even after leaving KFMC in 2011, Professor Faroque continued being invited to Saudi Arabia almost every year as a consultant on on-going projects and as a trouble shooter for emergingproblems.

During his stay in Saudi Arabia, Professor Faroque made contributions that were two-way benefitting Saudi Arabia and other countries. One of these was bringing Kashmiri nurses to train at KFMC for a period of three months. They exposed their Saudi counterparts to foreign experiences while they themselves got to learn about the practice at KFMC. This exercise carried out over a period of several years was mutually beneficial and provided a model of medical cooperation that can be emulated.

On a personal level, Professor Faroque was a father figure in KFMC who guided and mentored hundreds of young physicians, both Saudi and non- Saudi. He encouraged and inspired many who look up to him as a mentor and teacher. He had a pleasant personality and interacted easily with physicians and nurses from all parts of the world. He played an important role in encouraging inter cultural understanding between different nationalities and ethnicities since he was friendly and close to all.

SHORT TESTIMONIALS

Dr. Faroque Khan is a living legend, who is adept and comfortable in numerous leadership roles that have come to define his life, as his towering humanity. For almost six decades, he has followed the noble example of his ancestors, adding value to the community he called home. As a Muslim, he modeled his faith to the benefit of neighbors, and as a physician, he sculpted his calling in the service of humanity. He excelled in all arenas because he remained true to himself, his family, his friends, and strangers.

The American College of Physicians (ACP), the largest medical specialty organization in the United States, honored him as the first Muslim “Master”, and Regent of the College, for his exemplary services as an International Medical Graduate (IMG), to the cause of medicine through the elevation of the importance of IMGs in the United States, and indeed, worldwide. He helped merge the shared ambitions and aspirations of IMGs and US medical graduates for easing the attainment of their mutual goal of service to humanity, and for that, he will always be reverently and fondly remembered.

I have fond memories of working with Dr. Khan at KFMC in 2010-2011. My involvement at KFMC began when Dr. Khan, always thinking of new ways to bring value to healthcare and his community, reached out to enlist my help in faculty development for the teaching faculty at KFMC. I had recently completed a train the trainer course at Stanford University on “Improving Your Clinical Teaching Skills”, a course aimed at helping clinical faculty become better teachers. After some brainstorming and planning, we decided that I would join Dr. Khan at KFMC, along with Dr. Kelley Skeff and Georgetta Stretos from Stanford, and run the course for the teaching faculty of KFMC. Before long, we were on our way to Saudi. Dr. Khan welcomed us with open arms, helped us prepare and plan our course, and ensured active participation by all faculty. We toured the amazing facilities and I personally was hosted by Dr. Khan and his son at their residence, a true treat. Dr. Khan was the ever present moderator, facilitator, and take charge organizer, qualities that I had seen many times previously in Long Island, now on full display at KFMC. He played a major role in coordinating the event, something he has done hundreds of times in all kinds of professional endeavors in NY. Without his leadership skills, our course would not have been successful. I can honestly say that Dr. Khan deserves all the accolades that would be due to a genuinely caring, proactive, committed, and collaborative leader that he is. Long Island, NY, and Saudi owe him a debt of gratitude that can never really be repaid. I too owe Dr. Khan a debt of gratitude for his kindness and mentorship for the years that I have known and worked with him both in healthcare and in religion. He is a true role model for all.

It was great meeting you in Saudia Arabia during your visit as a Regent of the American College of Physicians (ACP) in the late '90s. I remember when you introduced the ideas of cooperation with the ACP, and facilitated with us the Organization of the 1st joint medical conference in Jeddah, which was attended by more than 500 attendants, and was a great success. You continued your hard work which resulted in establishing an ACP chapter in the kingdom in 2011. We were motivated by your friendly approach, and benefitted from your extensive connections in the USA.

You have shown us how a dedicated and talented Muslim can make his way in a new country, and gain the trust and appreciation of everybody. We cannot thank you enough. I pray to ALLAH to grant you full health and complete cure from your illness.

During my previous tenure work at KFSHRC-Riyadh as the Head of Cardiology, and Professor of Medicine at Al-Faisal University, I observed the following:

• It is clear that your newly established Research center at KFMC was an exemplary addition. Your planning development, IRB, database system, and analytic methods were especially impressive. We had several meetings and interactions regarding research topics and ideas. I also attended your International Research Symposium in 2008 as a faculty member which I profoundly benefited from.
• Your highly successful effort to establish the ACP-KSA Chapter was exemplary in its nature and unique for its impact. This accomplishment has been continuously operating with increasing numbers of members and fellows of the college over the years. There have been
• everal high-quality CME programs and college activity since then, which indicates that the seed you have planted has been very fruitful and continues to grow.
• Professor Mahmoud Al-Jurf and I had been awarded The Mastership ACP Award because of your kind nomination and support of our professional achievements.
• Also, this note cannot be complete without mentioning your invaluable input and insight during the critical management and treatment of the late King Fahad Al Saud during his terminal illness in 2005 at the KFSHRC- Riyadh.

Dr. Faroque Khan worked for six years (2005-2011) as a Senior Consultant and also as an advisor to the CEO at the King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He made an exceptional contribution within this relatively limited time including the establishment of KFMC's Research Center, the establishment of American College of Physicians (ACP) chapter in Saudi Arabia, hosting and sponsoring nursing students from BHNC in Kashmir (almost a hundred of them benefitted from this unique exposure), and inviting and hosting Dr. Elias Zerhouni, the Director of NIH, and many other leading academicians from the USA to KFMC. His contributions extended beyond KFMC at both national and regional level. He conducted several national/regional meetings in partnership with the ACP. He provided courtesy input for several national and regional medical schools in a spectrum of fields including, but not limited to, suggestions for curriculum, medical, and clinical education and research. His engagement with some medical school continued for many years after he left and moved back to the USA. He was strong committed partner with the medical schools at King Abdul-Aziz University, Alfaisal University and Almajmaa University and obviously, the medical school at KFMC. He initiated the Riyadh monthly academic evening in partnership with ACP. One other important notable contribution is the Journalism Workshop that he conducted with the ACP and Chief Editor for Annals of Internal Medicine.

It was a lunch meeting with Professor Khan that ignited a long term relation with a senior internist and pulmonologist and a young chairman, me, establishing the department of medicine at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2005 when Professor Faroque Khan was visiting as advisor to the CEO, and working with him closely on many tasks.

I had a dream of building international collaboration for internal medicine for my newly evolving department at King Fahd Medical City (KFMC). Professor Khan suggested working towards creating a new ACP chapter in Saudi Arabia would be a goal to aspire for and would greatly help in building bridges between Saudi Arabia and the USA. The requirements for new ACP chapter formation were formidable. We worked with Dr. Khan in creating opportunities for young physicians to train in the U.S., and through his support and advice, ACP Saudi Chapter was successfully established and hosted a delegation from ACP including the president, chair of the board of regents board and support staff. We made history in KSA (see picture above). Dr. Khan continued his support of the newly formed ACP chapter, attended chapter receptions during ACP annual meetings and I had the pleasure to work with him in the ACP international committee, and I learned a lot from him during these activities.

I had the chance to visit New York and visit the Islamic Center, and witness the effort of Professor Khan in upgrading the community service and make the center modern and comfortable for worship.

By Khalid Qushmaq MD, FRCPC, MACP, MHA, FRCP (London), Founding Governor of ACP chapter in KSA Riyadh

SHORT TESTIMONIALS

I am not a Clergy, a Priest, or a person who holds a high position in any organization.

I am a simpleton, born into a loving Sikh family, growing up with core Sikh values, that I have tried to implement in my day-to-day life.

Dr. Khan and I met by chance, or did we? Isn’t there a famous saying, “When the student is ready the teacher will appear.” I guess our paths were meant to cross!

As Dr. Khan invited me into his circle of friends, I didn’t merely get the opportunity to share the principles of my religion but imbibe the essence of all other faiths. To say the open dialogues that I have experienced at some of these events were enriching is an understatement.

The numerous ZOOM activities that the Interfaith Institute hosted, even throughout the COVID-19 era, are evidence of their dedication and ongoing commitment to educating the minds of all, young and old alike. All this would not be possible today had Dr. Khan not initiated this project in the years, bygone!

I am truly grateful to WAHEGURU for that chance meeting with Dr. Khan!

It is a privilege for me to participate in this tribute to Dr. Faroque Khan. In looking back over 50 years of serving as Rabbi of Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, I regard the interreligious work I shared with him to have been among the most gratifying of my rabbinic life. I treasure a yellowing two-page article in Newsday of November 13, 1993, and especially the photograph it highlighted, of our synagogue pulpit with a group from the Islamic Center and Beth-El, observing as I read from the Torah Scroll. Faroque Khan was at my side. It was AMJID, American Muslims and Jews in Dialogue, worshipping together on a Sabbath eve. At that time, the dialogue program we had initiated together was less than two years old; we were not aware we were on a historic path of developing a bond of understanding and friendship among our communities and beyond.

Today, our country is fractured by hateful outbreaks of Islamophobia, antisemitism, racism, and the violence that often accompanies them. We are also witnessing explosive Middle East hostilities. However, we are celebrating the courage, vision, and leadership of Faroque Khan, which enables us to more effectively challenge the enemies of pluralistic democracy, here and abroad, and to do so together with a united voice.

In the early 1990s, America was moving toward a Balkanization that was dividing our population. We no longer idealized America as a melting pot. Nor were we a nation of just Catholics, Protestants, and Jews.

I was most anxious to reach out to the fast-growing Islamic community. Having been chairman of Reform Judaism’s Inter-religious Commission, I knew there had been Islamic and Jewish contacts, but mostly between organizational professionals. We needed to encourage people-to-people contact, rather than each group stereotyping the other. When we do not talk to each other, we end up inventing each other.

History has taught us of the fruitful relationships between Muslims and Jews in the past, especially in the Middle Ages, the Golden Age in Spain as Jews refer to that period. As well, in modern times, Jews in the Middle East were part of the culture of the Muslim world. In Tunisia, Jews and Muslims worshipped together in Mosques in different parts of the building. Muslims saved Jewish children when Nazis invaded.

But in the 1990s, American Jews were profoundly ignorant about Muslims; Jewish Muslim contacts were practically non-existent. Largely because of Middle East tensions, many Jews incorrectly believed most Muslims to be inherently anti- Jewish and anti-American, as well as hostile to Israel’s existence. Also, many Muslims were wary of relationships with Jews, having experienced a lack of acceptance and discrimination by much of the American population. Coming together again was not going to be easy. Many members of both faiths were threatened by the thought of collaboration.

Faroque Khan, however, warmly welcomed our suggestion to meet. In his eloquent writings, Dr. Khan would express his heartfelt feelings with the words, “We found one another again.” And it could not have happened without his enthusiastic conviction that this project was to be truly a sacred mission. I know that it was only because of the great respect for Faroque’s leadership of the ICLI, that he was able to bring an extraordinary group of Muslims, some of whom surely with mixed emotions, to our first gathering. His resolute conviction that we must go forward never weakened, not in the most difficult times, through the decades ahead.

At first, it was a group of Muslims and Jews from two communities, meeting in their homes, and talking about their personal lives. They spoke about being immigrants to America, about aspects of their religions that were most important to each of them, and about beliefs, practices, attitudes, and sacred texts. Soon, we realized how much we had in common: preserving family and religious traditions, confronting the assaults on tolerance and pluralism from a threatening religious right, and the struggle against violence and vulgarity in our society. We recognized the same challenges.

After a number of years, we held large sessions, welcoming the people of both congregations to worship together, shared multiple Passover Seders, concluded a Ramadan fast at the Temple, built a Sukkah in the Mosque, welcomed Muslim and Jewish children to visit each other’s religious schools, and joined in social justice work in the Long Island community.

Tragically, hatred and violence have flamed up in the Middle East during these past months. It makes the work of the Interfaith Institute created by Faroque Khan and the ICLI even more crucial and courageous. The tensions between Israel and the Palestinians were always in the background, however, throughout the many years of AMJID’s existence, and especially when Intifada II erupted in the year 2000, there were expressions of anger on both sides. But with friendship and trust intact, we would shake hands and continue. Faroque’s determination and vision held us to our mission.

There were, also, local attempts to derail our purposes. As Faroque has written, “When we have been attacked by some of our political leaders, when Islamophobes like Pam Geller wanted to spew hatred in Great Neck, Rabbis who have been part of our movement, publicly denounced their falsehoods and hate speech.” I would add that when Mosques and synagogues in the US and elsewhere were targets of antisemitic and anti-Islamic violence, Muslims and Jews went to the victims’ places of worship to bring comfort and express solidarity.

I cannot conclude without emphasizing how Faroque Khan brought his mission, our mission, to Jews and Muslims throughout our nation. Once our local programs were well underway, Dr. Khan spoke to Jewish and Islamic groups, often at national conventions, persuading representatives to begin dialogues in their local communities. There was skepticism and even resistance, but Faroque’s visionary determination planted seeds that developed into significant interreligious dialogues and activism around the US.

Faroque, along with Dr. Isma Chaudhry, and Habeeb and Seemi Ahmed, also visited and taught future rabbis at the Hebrew Union College in New York, encouraging them to prioritize interfaith activity in their future careers. That is why I suggested at the outset of this message, that we are far stronger as we confront the social and political conflicts of today, because of Faroque Khan’s heroic work.

A few years ago, Faroque shared with me some teachings of his dear father, Ghulam Hassan Khan: “We Muslims must, individually and in cooperation with one another, do good, fight against the evil, and cultivate centers of service to bring rays of hope and happiness to homes and to communities.... “

Faroque’s father would surely be very proud of him, as indeed are we.

Dr. Faroque Khan is truly A Man for All Seasons. He has done more than any individual I know to build bridges within the faith-based community to promote mutual respect and understanding between and among all faiths, to create a community of activists to combat bias in all its forms, and to stand as a bulwark against those that would divide us.

His fostering of ecumenism has created in the religious community what the Council for Unity does in the schools and communities it serves. Beyond that he has been a catalyst to change the perceptions of children whose views of the Islamic faith were negatively impacted by the media and by politicians who reflect Islamophobia.

To address this, he sponsored an articulation with the Council for Unity members at Westbury Junior High School to attend an orientation on Islam at the Islamic Center of Long Island. The event was covered by Newsday with quotes from both children and teachers of how positively they were impacted by the visit.

And Dr. Khan took this to a broader stage when he invited Board members from ICLI to attend the Council for Unity Induction luncheon at the Crest Hollow Country Club in 2020 where over 1,200 CFU members reflecting over 130 different cultures received benediction from ICLI Imams, ministers, and rabbis. The impact on our kids was profound and uplifting. They were witness to clergy from different faiths embracing the same unity they profess as Council for Unity members. Most had never been witness to such an experience and gave good cause for ‘’Hope’’ for a future of tolerance, mutual respect and common cause.

Dr. Khan has been a heroic instrument for change within the Long Island community and beyond. He deserves every accolade for his capacity to unite us at a time in our nation where so much division exists. He’s our beacon of hope.

Lyn and I became acquainted with Dr. Khan years ago. My wife and I live just a few blocks from ICLI and attended a Black History Month celebration. Following that afternoon’s presentation, Dr. Khan, knowing about my academic interest in moral development, asked me to lead a session at the mosque on raising a moral child. Following this, knowing about Lyn’s work as a food columnist for the Westbury Times, asked her to organize Eid al-Adha.

This was the beginning of a long association with ICLI and Dr. Khan. His outreach into the local community and beyond, combined with his openness to new ideas for programs that build communities across sectarian lines, has resulted in many programs that have brought together people of varied backgrounds to learn about each other and to learn from one another.

Dr. Khan is a wonderful listener who takes what he considers the best ideas and more often than not brings those ideas to fruition. We’re not sure how he does it, but we can guess: it is his keen sense of what needs to be done combined with an unassuming certainty that it ought to be tried.

If people are judged by their character, by the way they treat others, and by their humility and generosity, then Dr. Khan deserves the accolades he receives. For me, he is a model in more ways than one.

I remember receiving a phone call from Dr. Khan several years ago. We knew of each other through interfaith circles. He said that the work the Interfaith Institute was doing was very similar to the bridge building we are doing on the Brookville Multifaith Campus and that we should collaborate. It was at that time that I became a member of the advisory board. Eventually, Dr. Khan invited me to move to the executive board.

Over the years, we have co-sponsored several events that have promoted learning and dialogue between various religions. Through our work together, I have witnessed Dr. Khan’s desire to build interfaith relationships. This passion for interfaith work has remained evident. His gentle spirit, along with his willingness to allow ideas from both boards of IFI have been strong indicators of his strength of character and ability to work in harmony with others to promote a more peaceful coexistence among those of various faiths.

It has been a privilege to work alongside Dr. Khan and to call him a friend. He has always shown a spirit of camaraderie and treated me as an equal in the work we have done together. I am blessed to know him.

For several decades, Dr. Faroque Khan has been a major force for interreligious understanding and cooperation. Under his leadership, the Interfaith Institute has promoted fruitful exchanges among people of many faiths and has flourished even despite pandemic lockdowns. I am grateful for everything I have learned myself at IFI events, both in- person and in cyberspace.

I am told that “Allahu akbar”, an expression that is common among Muslims, is often translated “God is great”, but literally, it says “God is greater”: The Holy One, the Almighty, the All-Merciful is greater than any conception we have of our Creator, which should cause all of us to question whether we ever are entirely right and others entirely wrong. I learned in an IFI program about Emir Abd el-Kader who said: “If you think God is what the different communities believe— the Muslims, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, polytheists, and others— He is that, but also more. If you think and believe what the prophets, saints, and angels profess, He is that, but He is still more.”

Faroque and the IFI remind us that God is more than we know and we all have much to learn from one another.

Dr. Faroque Khan has dedicated his life to bringing people together to create understanding, peace, and harmony. I have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Faroque Khan for most of my life. We grew up in the beautiful, historic region of Kashmir where amazing nature and religious tolerance surrounded us. Faroque Khan studied medicine, while I studied literature and spent most of my time in sports, engaging also with the Medical College team.

I again met Faroque and Arfa when they came to the United States in the late 1960s. They were both physicians working in the Queens area.

Faroque has been a great friend all my life. I remember our times together when as a student I could not afford a car and he would let me use his occasionally! Thank you!

Over the years, Faroque has been engaged as a professional in the medical profession and also in community affairs, particularly as an early and dedicated leader in bringing together first the Muslim community of Long Island and later, forging bonds with other interfaith communities. He has always been a model for projecting tolerance and community involvement. In this regard, his leading the Interfaith Institute has been very important in building cooperation among persons of various faiths, especially at a time when there are many challenges to divide communities.

To me that involvement and leadership have been the most important legacy of my friend Dr. Faroque Khan. He has set a great precedent for all to follow.

In its brief history, the Interfaith Institute of Long Island has approached the advancement of interfaith understanding and cooperation in many ways.

We’ve had an interfaith Passover Seder at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, beautifully led by one of our board members, Rabbi Michael White. We’ve had events examining how different faiths approach life cycle events, led by board member Benjamin Rifkin. We’ve had multiple discussions of ethical issues, often based on the writings of board member Arthur Dobrin, a former leader of the Ethical Humanist Society in Garden City. We have also explored subjects that are not specifically interfaith issues, but vital to the understanding of our society, such as the history of slavery on Long Island and the question of “fake news”.

At the heart of all this has been the powerful vision of the institute’s founder, Dr. Faroque Khan. He does not raise his voice or exert undue pressure, but his persistence in pursuing his vision makes it almost impossible to say no to him. (I should know. I haven’t said no to him yet.) You might call him He Who Must Be Obeyed. At this event, he is He Who Must be Honored.

IFI was formally introduced to the community almost eight years ago (since Oct. 25, 2015). A key ingredient for the success of IFI has been its Chairman Dr. Faroque Khan. I’ve known Dr. Faroque Khan since the early 1980s and I’ve never witnessed him being hostile to anyone or expressing anger at anyone. He is always taking the “high road”, trying to keep the peace. He genuinely enjoys bringing people together to learn from each other in an atmosphere of peace. He genuinely enjoys the company and friendship of people of different races, religions, and cultures.

Dr. Faroque Khan is good at recognizing the strengths of individuals and motivating them to action, and periodically reviewing their progress. Over the years, I’ve watched him take an event from an idea to a plan, to the assigning of tasks, to oversight and monitoring, and finally to completion. He has exceptional administrative skills that enable him to coordinate efforts to a successful conclusion.

I join with members of IFI and other interfaith communities in honoring Dr. Faroque Khan for his abilities, thinking, character, and spirit.

May Allah (God) continue to bless him and the Interfaith Institute/IFI to continue to come together with the faithful, and the right-minded people to share mutual teaching, while being patient in the pursuit of the worthy goal of bringing the human family together.

Who would have thought 25 years ago, that a question from a youngster in my Sunday School class would lead me to the Islamic Center of Long Island and the community that owes so much of its vibrant and growing ministry to the vision and the efforts of Dr. Faroque Khan. In my own tradition, our scriptures tell us, “that the one who knows love, knows God and is a child of God... because God is love.” Dr. Khan’s life and work are all about that kind of love in service to the Creator and the people of His Creation. A man of quiet but determined courage and compassion, a brilliant and renowned physician, Dr. Khan works just as hard (and effectively) at building the blessed community through institutions like the Interfaith Institute which has built bridges of education and goodwill across our Island and the world. Dr. Khan proves every day that indeed we can learn to work, grow and live together for the good of all, in harmony and goodwill, even in the divisive times in which we live.

On a personal level, Dr. Khan has been a mentor, a teacher, a comrade, and most of all, an honored and trusted friend. Blessings be upon him and his family!

It has been my pleasure and privilege to know and work with Dr. Faroque Khan for more than forty years. He has been an inspiration, a guide, and moreover, a close friend I have cherished all these years.

Whatever initiatives he starts or gets involved in, he participates in them wholeheartedly. His remarkable achievements in running a successful Medicine Residency Training Program in Long Island, his involvement in the establishment and running of The Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI), his active participation in the initial stages of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), as well as The Nargis Dutt Foundation; and various Inter- Faith initiatives are only a few of the activities that come to my mind.

For me, coming from the South Indian state of Kerala, where people of various faiths have been living side by side amicably for thousands of years, Dr. Khan’s efforts in establishing the Interfaith Institute of Long Island (IFI-LI) where people of Abrahamic and Non-Abrahamic faiths are being brought together, have been exemplary. The gradual progress in the development of Inter-Faith activities, first as a dialogue between only Abrahamic religions, and then the establishment of Inter Faith Institute of Long Island where Abrahamic and Non-Abrahamic faiths actively participate, is a commendable achievement.

Let us all pray to God Almighty for his continued well-being so that he can be a guide and inspiration to all of us for many, many more years. Ameen!

My first memory of Dr. Faroque Khan was from 20 years ago at ICLI, after I enrolled my children in Sunday school and started volunteering for weekend programs. My first impressions of Dr. Faroque were that he was cool, calm, and collected with a great sense of humor and amazing stories to tell of his experiences.

As my volunteering expanded during Dr. Faroque’s leadership as president of ICLI, several key strengths stood out. His vision, motivation, and leadership skills to get the best out of his teams. He entrusted me with producing the ICLI Newsletter for over 3 years. His leadership style is a perfect blend of empathy, respect, and decisiveness, making him a natural motivator for those around him.

He was also instrumental in promoting ICLI to the Long Island community by engaging the center in numerous interfaith and political activities and collaborations. I would say one of his best achievements was creating “Our Muslim Neighbors” TV program with Telecare as part of the God Squad team of the late Monsignor Thomas Hartman and Rabbi Marc Gellman. Under his guidance and leadership, the community has seen unprecedented growth and success. His ability to inspire and rally people around a common goal has led to significant accomplishments in areas such as education, interfaith, and community development.

Dr. Faroque’s achievements have been limitless, and all have been extremely successful with the most recent being the founder of Interfaith Institute of Long Island of which I have been a member since its inception in 2015. The institute has exceeded its spectacular growth by being recognized globally and having key international figures become board members of the institute.

All I can say is that whatever initiatives Dr. Faroque is involved in whether it’s professional, community or volunteer his leadership and participation have brought a different dimension to the success of those initiatives.

I am grateful for his leadership, dedication, and vision for the community of Long Island. He has definitely left an indelible mark on the lives of so many including myself and has shown us what it truly means to be a visionary, motivator, and a leader. Wishing the very best to Dr. Faroque’s future!

“He who does not thank people does not thank Allah/God.”

I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Faroque Khan for his courage in advocating against social and political divisiveness. His leadership has affected generations of Muslims and non- Muslims. He is committed to a deep sense of humanity and human connection and teaches others to value difference and diversity. He is a unifying voice for those who have felt separated by their cultures, religions, and political affiliations. May Allah (SWT) reward him for his efforts and his contributions to our richly varied communities. His intellectual and spiritual nourishment has led many to build bridges across divides and it has brought peace to many. Dr. Khan is a rare kind of person whose legacy lives on through the lives of others.

This event is a little reminder just like the movie It’s a Wonderful Life about how you have impacted people’s lives, both professionally and personally. I have been with you since the planning days before ICLI was built. The fundraising parties, Eid party planning, and the efforts to bring the community together and make the holidays memorable for the children always left us with a heartwarming feeling. I personally want to say “Thank you” for normalizing being Muslim when no other classmates knew what Islam was. Then to work with you on the ICLI Board later on in life, to witness the fruits of your dream, and to start The Interfaith Institute of Long Island come to life was an inspiration. Working side by side with you on the Executive Board for IFI, we helped to spearhead many programs to help build bridges between faiths. Under your aegis as Chair of IFI, you have touched many lives, taught about Islam, and made many friends on this path.

Thank you from The Rahman Family for helping us be a brick in the foundation of the Islamic Center of Long Island and thank you personally for being an example one can emulate and be an influence to the next generation of Muslim leaders.

I have known Dr. Khan for as long as I have lived in the U.S., which is over 50 years. It would not be an overstatement to say that Dr. Khan has been a guiding force in my life. He was the elder, the senior we looked up to and admired, as we watched him establish the first mosque on Long Island. In the 1970s, this was no easy feat. I watched in awe as he started an interfaith dialogue program at the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI). That feat took courage and immense strength as Muslim- Jewish-Christian dialogue was an unknown entity at the time and launching a new program required consensus building and skill in change management. Today, that effort has matured into the Interfaith Institute of Long Island. Being the trailblazer he is, Dr. Khan memorialized his work in his book, Story of a Mosque in America. That book would serve as a footprint or manual for future mosque-building aspirants. When my husband and I took the first steps in building a mosque on Staten Island, we looked up to Dr. Khan for inspiration. If he could pull it off, perhaps we had a chance too.

Fast forward to post-9/11. As the Muslim community went into shock in the aftermath of the tragedy, Dr. Khan led the movement to restore the image of Muslims in the U.S. When I tried to emulate him in my efforts to engage in interfaith dialogue, Dr. Khan guided me through his counsel in how to phrase my speech, how to respond to questions, and what to do if I didn’t have an answer. To this day, that remains part of my guidebook.

When I decided to write a memoir Threading My Prayer Rug, he offered me all the encouragement I needed, including hosting a book talk at ICLI. For a budding author, it meant a lot. As I continued to write, he graciously agreed to read the manuscript of my next book We Refuse to be Enemies, and provided valuable critique including fact-checking, for which I am grateful. He helped expand my audience when he hosted my book talk in collaboration with Temple Or Elohim and the Interfaith Institute. I reached out to him when my book It’s Not What You Think was being published and once again, agreed to read the manuscript and write a blurb. For someone who is so pressed for time, he has always made time to pull us along. It takes effort, but more than that, it takes a commitment to pave the way for one’s followers.

Dr. Khan is my mentor, my teacher, my supporter, and someone I am proud to call my friend. Congratulations Dr. Khan on receiving this honor. It is well deserved and well earned.

The measure of a person is the number of souls they inspire, touch, heal, and connect, the ways in which they make a difference in the lives of others over an extended period of time or in the brief flash of a moment’s interaction. In all these ways, Dr. Faroque Khan is a giant. In his work as a doctor and in his volunteer activities as a founder of the Interfaith Institute of Long Island, Dr. Khan has contributed to healing both physical and spiritual, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, inspiring them to put aside preconceived notions of “other” to embrace our common humanity. I served on the board of the IFI for only a few years before moving away from LI. That time in my life was a blessing precisely because I had the opportunity to be inspired by Dr. Khan, an inspiration I take forward into the rest of my life’s journey, to continue the work of bridging that which so often divides us.

I have a great opportunity to be a part of the Interfaith Institute of Long Island community and grow through its diverse activities in a meaningful way. 40+ board members represent a very highly knowledgeable in their own religion as well as open to understanding, participating, and promoting all interfaith activities.

Jainism promotes “Parasparograho Jivanam”, meaning all life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Like the bee gathering honey from different flowers, the wise person accepts the essence of different scriptures and sees only the good in all religions”.

I witnessed this firsthand by participating in Long Island Multi-Faith Forum. We promoted understanding of different religions in schools, hospitals, and different places of worship. Joining Interfaith Institute of Long Island elevated my spirit to embrace all knowledge possible.

Among participating in diverse activities, what stands out is joining in the discussion on “Shila”, a story written by Professor Arthur Dobrin that aroused different opinions among Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Jainism and gave me an opportunity to discuss Jain beliefs and principles in detail.

During COVID-19 limitations, Dr. Faroque Khan, being a Kashmiri, encouraged me to plan a Zoom Diwali celebration in which Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh representatives participated. What stood out was the principles of Diwali: “Light over darkness, Knowledge over ignorance & Good over evil” was discussed as represented in all other religions making it a true interfaith celebration.

Professor Ben Rifkin explored an idea of an interfaith discussion of “the Life cycle events”, where rituals in birth, adolescence, marriage, and death were explored each month. These discussions truly brought out the meaning of each of our routine rituals.

By participating in IFI activities, I realized, “River, pond, lake, and stream have different names but all contain water. Religions have different names but all contain truth”, a quote by Muhammad Ali.

May God grant mercy, compassion, empathy, and grace....

These words are from the Jewish prayerbook; they are a prayer for peace, included in every morning service. In our Jewish faith, divine attributes become aspirational for humanity. It is the understanding that God’s blessings of mercy, compassion, empathy, and grace come through us.

I have known Dr. Faroque Khan for over two decades, and our friendship is one of the greatest blessings in my life. Dr. Faroque Khan is indeed an emissary of the divine blessings of grace, empathy, compassion, and more. He is both a powerful and influential leader and among the kindest men I know. I imagine his sensitive, empathetic bedside manner as a physician and his gentle, yet firm, mentorship as a teacher And I know his great gifts as a founder and leader of the Islamic Center of Long Island and the Interfaith Institute of Long Island. Dr. Khan listens, is always interested in what others have to say, and lifts up others in partnership. Compassion and warmth flow from his soul.

I have had the honor of collaborating with Dr. Khan on many important initiatives, including discussions at the Interfaith Institute, an interfaith Passover Seder, and a discussion on the horrific genocide of Uyghurs in China. In every collaborative conversation, Dr. Khan reminds us of our commitment to universal values of human dignity, human rights, and justice. And his engaging, accessible leadership style draws us in and enables outstanding, sacred work.

Dr. Khan is a man of unceasing dignity, wisdom, and humor. He is, truly, one of the finest human beings and leaders I know. The members of my community, Temple Sinai of Roslyn, have benefitted from his talks over the years, and we consider him part of our temple family. I am honored to know him.

I do not remember when I met Dr. Faroque Khan, but I will never forget how I felt when I did. We had a discussion on how to address an environment of suspicion, hostility, resentment, and, worst of all, indifference to those people and institutions enduring the ravages of Islamophobia and other scourges. It was a painful discussion. But at the core of Dr. Khan was love.

People with justifiable anger, righteous indignation, an unwillingness to endure injustice, and a commitment to take action to create change, but without love at their core, seem to eventually become bitter, frustrated, and burnt out. I have been close, more than once, to being one of these people.

I have learned from Dr. Khan to pace myself, keep my expectations realistic, keep my eyes on the prize, and even in very upsetting circumstances of which there have been many, to remain civil, decent, and proper. I came to the ICLI, the IFI, and to Dr. Khan to be of service, and in so doing I have become a better person, and more effective in my mission to help as best I can to improve the world.