A short, thin middle aged man- you may probably take him for just another man in the street. But no. He is not an ordinary man. He is not a man to be ignored. He is a man to be noticed. Inside the seemingly frail frame of the man is a powerhouse of energy. Besides his morning until late afternoon work, he is to be found at most social events. And then his job requires a lot of traveling. This is Ahmed Shakir, P.E.

Shakir told me he has always been a hard working person. It was his love of work that brought him from India to the USA in 1969. While many come to this country to make money and to enjoy life, Shakir chose to get education. He received his B.S. and M.S. in structural engineering from the University of Texas.

As a student he was active in international, Indian, and Muslim student associations because of his deep interest in social, community, and political activities. This initial commitment stemmed from his belief that everyone should dedicate some of their time to improving and serving their community.

Over the past thirty years, Ahmed has been extensively involved in the union and labor activities. Consider his accomplishments.

 

He is the first South Asian elected as Secretary of Civil Service Technical Guild which represents 7000 Engineers, Architects, Scientists, Etc. for five consecutive terms, since 1998.

• He is the first South Asian to serve as Vice President on the Board of Directors of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance of U.S.A.
• He was on the Board of Directors of the Eastern Queens Democratic Party and a chair for the union and their political office.
• He is a founding Vice President of the American Engineering Alliance which was established in 1996.
• He is elected six consecutive terms as DC 37 Delegate.

 

As Treasurer of FIA since 2009, Ahmed has been bringing new sponsors for FIA and helps FIA to connect with Senators, Congressmen and Political leaders at City and at the State level.

Among his peers and colleagues, Ahmed has come to be seen as a man who promotes the idea and practice of tolerance in every facet of life. He believes that people should work together regardless of nationality, religion, or race, because peace and prosperity can only be achieved through non-violence, patience and service to the needy. Ahmed’s message to our community in USA is: come together and let us take a leadership role in our adopted country. This country gave us all the opportunity to make our dream come true. We should make every effort to support the various south Asian and Asian organizations to be successful and serve our community here and in India.

 

 

Ahmed Shakir has been at pains to strike a balance between the various calls- family, work, community. He belongs to Bohra community, which has a small presence in the USA. Now Bohras in India are a prosperous trading community. They are known to be charitable and helping not only their own community but contributing to any humanitarian cause. Shakir who has been involved in the affairs of Bohra community in New York is also very close to the Bohra spiritual leaders. He has not only been a confidant of his spiritual masters but has also been honored for his valuable contribution to community. He is currently Hon. Secretary, Public Relations of the Dawoodi Bohra community in New York.

For his work and services, Shakir has been recognized and honored at various levels. Some of the awards he won are Hero of Labor Award, Congressional Achievement Award, World Business Forum Lifetime Achievement Award, Excellence in Services Award from the Islamic Community, Friends of Labor award conferred on him by the Civil Services Technical Guild. He has been honored by a number of Organizations and associations. The Indo American Society of Engineers and Architects (SIAEA) honored him for his services to the profession in November 2014. Recipient of many commendations, Shakir has received a number of proclamations and citations from the City to the Congress.

A jewel of the Indian American community, Shakir is a simple person imbued with a spirit to serve.

Ahmed Shakir is married to Dr. Khadija and they live in Manhasset Hills, New York.