MACON, Ga. — The month of July marks many important American celebrations, like Independence Day.
Macon-Bibb will now celebrate Muslim-American Heritage Month, too. The month is meant to advocate for more awareness of the Muslim community to encourage a greater understanding, according to Voice of Muslims (VOM).
Dr. Muhammad Awais is a physician at Piedmont-Macon. He moved to the city from Pakistan 13 years ago. Since falling in love with the town, he says Macon is his home now.
"Even now when I interview my residents, they ask, 'Why are you still here?' I think it's because of the community," he said. "That's my reflex answer."
Dr. Awais says the southern hospitality in Central Georgia has always welcomed and supported both Muslim and non-Muslim communities, especially in the face of adversity.
When the mosque on Vineville Avenue was vandalized in 2015, Imam Atif Abassi from the Islamic Center of Macon says he was comforted by the way the town came together for Macon Muslims.
"Comfort for us in the sense that, yes, we are not alone," Abassi said. "Other faith communities also with us, in a time of difficulty we were kinda, you know, one. This is what we observed and we were so happy for that, as well."
Dr. Awais says because he's felt welcomed and supported in his community, it's motivated him to accept VOM's proposal to advocate for the proclamation.
The Atlanta-based group is working to make Muslim-American Heritage Month recognized not just on the local level, but spread across the state and nationwide.
"The main purpose of getting this month recognized is to increase awareness and knowledge about Muslims and the Muslim contributions to the world and the rest of civilization," Dr. Awais said
As the director of the Piedmont Macon residency program, Dr. Awais says he feels blessed and privileged by his staff and students' trust in him and his work ethic.
"Of course, they are proving what Piedmont has taught them," he said. "But they also have some part of my training in their lifestyles, in their practice styles, in their professional styles. I think that's something huge."
According to the Association of Religious Data Archives, there are nearly 11,000 Muslims combined in the Macon and Warner Robins metro areas.
It also says more than 130,000 Muslims live in Georgia, making it the state's seventh-largest denomination.
Voices of Muslims is holding its first gala in Atlanta Saturday, July 29 at the Georgia State University State Ballroom.