The wait is over! We are excited to unveil our three 2015 Top Muslim Achievers who will be recognized at the CIOGC’s 23rd Annual CommUnity Dinner. We are pleased to announce the winners:
1) Dr. Mahmoud Ismail, Professor of Obstetrics/ Gynecology and Co-Director of the Perinatal Network at the University of Chicago.
2) Asif Rahman, Deputy Commissioner at the City of Chicago Building Department.
3) Ash-Har Quraishi, an award winning TV Journalist, currently with Aljazeera-America.
Each year during the Annual Dinner, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) recognizes Top Muslims Achievers of Chicagoland. The Top Muslim Achievers are professionals who have excelled in their respective fields and have either achieved great success and/or have been recognized for their excellence. Achievers are chosen from various fields including education, research, Islamic Studies, medicine, engineering, business, politics, social and public service. The total number of awards is limited to three this year. The focus is primarily local, unless an individual has achieved national recognition.
This week, we highlight the achievements of an Unparalleled Public Servant: Asif Rahman
His accomplishment is something unheard of. States Crain’s Chicago Business, “Asif Rahman gives bureaucrats a good name. Yes, you read that right. While city employees often are maligned, nearly 500 architects and developers signed a petition imploring Mayor Rahm Emanuel to bring back this 27-year City Hall veteran after he resigned recently from the Chicago Department of Buildings.”
Being the Deputy Commissioner in charge of reviewing construction permits, he is “the problem solver” according to one of the architects. He often cuts through technicalities to come up with common-sense solutions to complicated building code issues, according to people who dealt with him. Known for his late-night and weekend emails, Rahman also wasn’t afraid to make decisions. As one of the architect puts it, “Rahman is the most knowledgeable and hard-working employee, he is a man of integrity and fairness.” He was persuaded to get back to the city for more public service.