Source: mycentraljersey.com

OLD BRIDGE – The township and the Old Bridge Ahmadiyya Muslim Community established a new Thanksgiving tradition Saturday with their second annual Old Bridge Service Awards to two outstanding community leaders, Rose Welsh, executive director of the community food bank, and Ruth Mathieu, president of the Old Bridge Community Emergency Response Team.

The ceremony and dinner were conducted the Senior Center in the Old Bridge Municipa Complex. Tariq Sharif, director of public affairs for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, was master of ceremonies, while Mayor Owen Henry and some members of the township council participated in the ceremony.

Sharif opened the event by acknowleding the families and friends of the victims of the terrorist attack in Paris the week before, expressing support for them and denouncing terrorism as having no part in Islam. He added that he and members of the Ahmadiyya community had met earlier in the day with the French consul in New Jersey to share this same message of support and peace. He also described his own family, and how is father, a second-generation American, had served in the U.S. Marines and National Guard, and how a deep love for the United States had been passed down from father to son.

Peace is a key value in Islam as the Admadiyya community understands their religion, he explained, adding how these awards help to foster that quality in the community. Acknowledging the great contributions of the police and fire departments, as well as many other professional responders and caregivers, he said, “We are committed to peace and loyalty to this country.”

The awards for community service, which the Admadiyya Muslims and the Mayor’s office began last year, are one of many ways that this love for the community is fostered.

Fiteen years of answering a promise to God

Rahim Latif read a poem about Thanksgiving to set the mood, and Lianah Santa Ana sang the National Anthem. Then the first award was given to Welsh, a Christian, who began volunteering at the food bank 15 years ago.

Welsh’s service began after she had a stroke, which left her whole right side paralyzed. As she recovered, she promised God that if she pulled through, she would spend her time serving Him by helping others. She said dshe… read more at