MCC founder Dr. Basheer Ahmed: A Distinguished Professional Journey Dr. Basheer Ahmed brings a wealth of experience to his professional network and has earned recognition for his notable achievements, leadership abilities, credentials, and successes throughout his distinguished career. Born in Hyderabad, India, Dr. Ahmed completed his undergraduate studies at Osmania University in Hyderabad. He earned his medical degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. Pursuing further specialization, Dr. Ahmed attended Glasgow University in Scotland, where he completed postgraduate studies in Psychiatry. Dr. Ahmed is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FRCPsy) in London, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) in Canada, and a distinguished life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Academic and Administrative Roles Dr. Ahmed’s academic career began in St. Louis, Missouri, where he served as an instructor of psychiatry at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. He later became assistant professor of psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and executive director of the Soundview Throgsneck Community Mental Health Center in New York, which was among the largest Community Mental Health Centers in the United States. In 1976, Dr. Ahmed moved to Dayton, Ohio, to assume the role of professor of psychiatry at Wright State University and chief of psychiatry at the Dayton VA Hospital. Two years later, he relocated to Texas, joining the University of Texas Health Science Center – Southwestern Medical School in Dallas as a professor of psychiatry. Since 1985, Dr. Ahmed has maintained a private practice in Fort Worth, Texas. Organizational Leadership and Community Service Dr. Ahmed has served as chairman of the Tarrant County Chapter of the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians. He is the past president of the Islamic Association of Tarrant County, the Islamic Medical Association of North America, and the Board of Regents of the Islamic Medical Association of North America. He is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Islamic Medicine and has served on the Board of Directors of the Multi Cultural Alliance of North Texas, an interfaith organization. Additionally, he is a member of the Muslim Jewish Council of North Texas. Pioneering Charitable Initiatives In 1995, Dr. Ahmed established the first Muslim charitable organization in Texas, the Muslim Community Center for Human Services. The center offers medical, dental, and social services to underserved residents in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, race, or nationality. Dr. Ahmed continues to serve as Chairman Emeritus, and the center remains committed to supporting immigrants and refugees in the region. Advancing Cultural Awareness and Scholarship After chairing four regional conferences of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS) focused on Muslim contributions to world civilization, Dr. Ahmed founded the Institute of Medieval and Post Medieval Studies (IMPMS) in 2009. IMPMS aims to highlight the significant contributions of Muslim medieval scholars to world civilization through written and audiovisual materials and by organizing conferences. Dr. Ahmed currently serves as president emeritus of the organization. Promoting Interfaith Harmony In 2014, Dr. Ahmed established the Institute of Quranic Knowledge and Intra-faith Religious Acceptance (IQRA) to foster harmonious relationships among various Muslim sects and help reduce sectarian hatred and violence. He serves as president emeritus of IQRA. In 2022, he founded “American Muslims for Human Rights.” Continued Commitment to Community Although retired from community activities, Dr. Ahmed accepted the role of Acting Executive Director of the Muslim Community Center for Human Services at the request of the MCC board of directors, serving until a new director is appointed. Publications and Honors Dr. Ahmed has presented papers nationally and internationally and written numerous articles for professional journals. He has recently edited or authored six books, including “My Story as a Muslim Immigrant in America.” Books by Dr. Ahmed •Muslim Contribution to World Civilization •The Islamic Intellectual Heritage and Its Impact on the West •Domestic Violence: Cross Cultural Perspective •My Story as a Muslim Immigrant in America •The Rise and Fall of Muslim Civilizations – Hope for the Future •Why are Americans Obsessed with Guns All of these books are available on Amazon. Dr Ahmed received numerous local and national awards Link Contact Information Dr. Ahmed can be reached at mbahmed08@gmail.com.