On May 5th Mr. Khalil Demir was honored with the Community Service award from Muslim American Society (MAS). Mr. Demir accepts this award with great honor and prestige.
“I can think of many other people who deserve this recognition,” Mr. Demir candidly stated during his acceptance speech. “There is a lot of work that still needs to be done and I remain committed to fulfilling that promise,” he added. Mr. Demir has a lifetime filled with serving others and his community. Growing up in a remote village in Southeastern Turkey he understood poverty at a very young age. Being born to unschooled parents, he taught himself to read and write. His passion and thirst for knowledge did not stop there. He moved to Switzerland to attend the University of Basel. During this time he established a humanitarian organization and organized numerous social events around social and political justice issues, advocating for minority and human rights in Switzerland and Europe.
In 2001, now raising a family in the United States, Mr. Demir founded the Zakat Foundation of America with fellow Muslims driven to improve the lot of the needy worldwide. He currently serves as the Executive Director. Zakat Foundation of America operates in over 40 countries addressing healthcare needs, food distributions and humanitarian aid.
Mr. Demir has a deep rooted history of serving others and his community. We commend him for his accomplishments and dedication to making the world a better place.