2016 Peace Organization(s) of the Year Award

NorthPark Presbyterian Church and Masjid Al-Islam as joint recipients.

NorthPark Presbyterian Church is a reformed Protestant congregation that spans a wide theological and political spectrum, celebrating differing points of view while finding our unity in Christ. We are intellectually curious, service-minded, and intentional in caring for one another and forming community. As our slogan says, "NorthPark: Welcoming Seekers, Thinkers, and Doers."

Rev. Barry is the senior pastor at NorthPark Presbyterian Church in Dallas. He is a graduate of Austin College, received a Masters of Theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Masters of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary. Brent, his wife Susan who is a partner at the law firm Jones Day, and their two children have lived in Dallas for 18 years. Brent previously held pastoral positions at First Presbyterian Church, Glendale Presbyterian Church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and Northridge Presbyterian Church – all in Dallas. Brent and NorthPark have a deep commitment to working with the poor and hungry in Dallas, helping those with Alzheimer’s disease, and reaching across religious and cultural lines to do their part to bring Dallas together as one.

Masjid Al-Islam Dallas

Masjid Al-Islam Dallas is recognized as the first Mosque in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Our Muslim Community has been in Dallas for 60 years and is part of a legacy/association that includes Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, and the leadership of the late Imam W.D. Muhammad. Masjid Al-Islam helped to pioneer efforts of interfaith relations in Dallas by visiting over 300 churches in the Dallas area between 1978 and 1982.

The mission at Masjid Al-Islam has been to serve as an instrument to promote human excellence and good character via the teachings of classical, mainstream Islam found in the Quran, in the lifetime example of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and our daily prayers. Many years ago, because of the mission, several social programs were started in South Dallas. Recently, the Masjid purchased and renovated the "Beacon of Light Community Center," which features seminary, educational and social programs that benefit not only its members but the residents of South Dallas as well. Weekly, it serves about 300 disadvantaged working poor and homeless people. Very soon, they will be offering free computer technology classes to provide computer skills, at no cost, to the general public in South Dallas, God willing.

Imam Khalid Shaheed was born and raised in Jackson, MS. His father was a Baptist preacher and his mother was a very faithful Christian. He received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern MS and an imam's certification from Zayd's House of Islamic Culture, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE. He has been married to Bettie Shaheed for 42 years. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Khalid Shaheed has been the resident Imam of Dallas Masjid Al-Islam for 13 years and is a member of Faith Forward Dallas, North Texas Islamic Council Executive Board, NBUF South Dallas, and is a supporter/participant in the Dallas Safe Conversations program. This past July, he was invited to the White House to be part of the first Muslim Holiday celebrated at the White House. President Obama was the host of this historic event, which took place in the ultra-elegant East Wing of the White House.

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