Mohammad Zafar (L) and Sakinah Mujahid (R) after receiving the "25 Veterans' Voices Awards"

Two Minnesota Muslims, Sakinah Mujahid and Mohammad Zafar, were among those who were honored at the 25 Veterans' Voices Awards ceremony at the Minnesota Humanities Center on 9/11/2013. The 25 Veterans' Voices Award highlights veterans who have made "exceptional contributions to the community, in business, health care, public safety, education, the arts, government or any other endeavor which merits recognition." It features young veterans who "have not merely returned to civilian life but are thriving and giving back to their Minnesota communities."

Sakinah Mujahid receiving the award from Governor Mark Dayton

Sakinah Mujahid, a US Army veteran who served for 13 years, uses her own experiences and has become a leader in Minnesota's Muslim community. She has worked in social services for six years and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and certificates in Financial Literacy Training and Dispute Circle Training. She is the founder and active participant in a Minnesota advocacy organization for Muslim women—Sisters Need a Place—that assists Muslim women and children by finding secure housing and employment opportunities. Mujahid's work with the Muslim community is not only inspirational, but also dispels stereotypes of Muslim women.

Mohammad Zafar with his family

Mohammad Zafar, a US Marine Corp veteran, exemplifies a veteran who is giving back to his local community by working to promote a better understanding of the Muslim community and building bridges between Muslims and other Minnesota communities. In addition to teaching a Health & Wellness class to Somali youth and adults in Eden Prairie, he created a running event. Through Zafar's event, Running 30 Miles in Ramadan, he motivated Muslims to run one mile each day during the 30 days of Ramadan. Zafar, who lives in Oakdale, serves and interacts daily with returning veterans, assisting them with the Minnesota GI bill through his job at Metro State.