Zahid Syed, a Pakistani and the newly appointed Chairman of the Nassau County Human Rights Commission, and Mohammad Saleh, a Bangladeshi pharmacist, both had help to achieve their American Dreams.
A Jewish pharmacist and an Irish union man reached out generous hands, offering guidance or funds to achieve their goals. In return the two give back to their communities what they themselves were given.
Syed and the Irish Samaritan
In August, Zahid Syed of East Meadow was appointed the new Chairman of the Nassau County Human Rights Commission by Nassau County Executive Edward Magano.
“I am the first you can say, the first south Asian or brown person to become chairman of the Human Rights Commission,” said Syed. “So it’s a title for me and it’s history also.”
That’s quite a long way from when Syed arrived in the U.S. after graduating with a degree in economics and politics from Karachi University in 1971.
For several years he worked a variety of jobs until he was hired by the Town of Hempstead Parks Department. When it came time for union elections, Syed ran for secretary/treasurer of his union local and won.
The president of the local, an Irishman named Kevin Lynch, then set about teaching Syed everything he knew about unions and politics. “He is like my grandfather,” said Syed. “When I started in the 90s, our community was very new and people were very reluctant to get involved in the community and politics.” But Lynch inspired Syed to inspire his community.
Saleh and the Jewish Samaritan
Mohammed Saleh, 63, who owns four pharmacies in New York City and lives in Merrick, says he owes his success to a Jewish pharmacist, Eugene Bresnick.
“I would always consider him, after my parents, the one who contributed most to my life,” said Saleh. “I would always salute him and pray for him.” When he was ready to retire, Bresnick wanted to pass on his pharmacy business to his son, but the son didn’t see himself as a pharmacist. So instead, Bresnick sold his pharmacy inventory, which amounted to $75.0000 to Saleh for a mere $30.000.
Over the next six months, Bresnick taught Saleh the business. “Financially he was very lenient with me. I was fortunate that way,” said Saleh. Now Saleh gives back by being an active member of his community. He’s a former president of the Long Island Muslim Society and last month he was awarded their Make a Difference Award for his work with Muslim immigrants.
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