South Florida Muslims Meet with WPLG 10

(Miami, FL 07/16/2019) – The South Florida Muslim Federation and its members met with WPLG 10 to discuss media coverage of the South Florida Muslim community. During the meeting, both WPLG and the South Florida Muslim community opened lines of communication that did not exist before and discussed ways to work together to make sure South Florida Muslims are given an equal voice on stories that are reported on.

Members of the Federation shard their concerns about their voice being absent in many issues that effect the Muslim community to include the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, negative terms such as Islamic Terrorism, laws that equate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, social service contributions from the Muslim community to the greater community, Muslim subject matter experts and normalizing Muslim holidays like Eid, similar to Christmas and other religious holidays that are covered by the media. It is important to note that members of the Federation thanked WPLG for their leadership in their coverage of the Muslim community as they have historically been very inclusive and share various perspectives on their stories they have reported on.

Shehryar Wahid- Board of Directors of the Islamic Foundation of South Florida, said “ This was a great and much needed meeting set up by the Federation. WPLG was very receptive and they had their top management in attendance, which shows they took us seriously and will work with us on our concerns”.

Dr. Mohammed Farouk, Founding Board member of the Islamic School of Miami said “Today’s meeting with WLPG Channel 10 was timely and beneficial for both the Federation (and the organizations represented) and WLPG. We had an opportunity to get to know one another; understand the perspectives of both parties in regard to the coverage of Muslims in South Florida and beyond; establishing contacts with each other to improve communication; educating each other about our work and needs; and overall, strengthening the relationship between the South Florida Muslim community and the media. I commend the Federation for a successful meeting and thank WLPG for their hospitality and outreach to the South Florida community.”

“Channel 10 management and team has risen the bar of Media relations with the Muslim community. It is evident they want to lead in presenting objective and balanced stories including those that highlight our community’s hands on efforts in bringing social justice and providing social services to the community at large”, Says Abdul Rauf Khan- Chief Operating Officer of ICNA Relief USA.

Participants of the meeting included; Bert Medina President & CEO of WPLG, Bill Pohovey-Vice President and Director of News, Saira Anwar- WPLG Reporter, Mayte Cordones- Community Relations Manager, Kerry Weston- Futures Planner/Assignment Desk Editor, Nezar Hamze-Executive Director of the South Florida Muslim Federation, Dr. Mohammed Farouk- Founding Board member of the Islamic School of Miami, Siddiq Khan- Founding Board Member of Miami Gardens Mosque, Safa Al-Bassam- Board Member of the American Islamic Center of Florida, Imam Nasir Ahmad & Fred Nuriddin- Masjid Al-Ansar (Oldest Mosque in Florida), Shehryar Wahid- Board of Directors of the Islamic Foundation of South Florida, Abdul Rauf Khan- Chief Operating Officer of ICNA Relief USA, Afifa Kashif- Chairman of the Board of EMGAGE Florida, Wilfredo Ruiz- Communications Director of CAIR Florida, Qari Sazzadur Rahman- Assistant Amer Director of DarulUloom Institute.

The South Florida Muslim Federation is meeting with various media outlets throughout South Florida to share our concerns and ask for equal coverage of issues and stories that involve the Muslim community.

Media Contact:

Nezar Hamze, Executive Director, The South Florida Muslim Federation

Phone: 954-673-9459, Email: nhamze@soflomuslims.com

The South Florida Muslim Federation is an umbrella of Muslim Organizations based in South Florida. (see www.soflomuslims.com/about).

Below is a list of organizations:

Al-Amin Center

American Islamic Center of Florida

AMANA

Masjid Baitul Mukarram

Basmah

Council of Muslim Student Associations

CAIR Florida