Parental Guidance
Bowie Couple Receive National Parents Day Award
Although there are no doctorates in good parenting one Bowie family seems to be in position to give lessons on the subject.
Mr. Shukoor and Mrs. Nabeela Ahmed were honored as one of five couples to receive National Parents of the Year Award 2018 to mark the occasion of the 23rd National Parents’ Day on July 29.
Mr. Shukoor and Mrs. Nabeela Ahmed (center) with members of the Universal Peace Federation and other sponsors of National Parents Day. .
The award is given for exemplifying parental love, service, and dedication to their family and their local community.
In 1994, former President Bill Clinton signed in law the bipartisan backed “Parents’ Day Resolution” establishing the fourth Sunday of July as a perennial day of commemoration. On this day each year, Americans recognize outstanding parents, celebrate the teamwork in raising children, and support the role of parental guidance in building a strong, stable society. Throughout the nation in almost every state, community leaders organize Parents’ Day events to honor parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Shukoor worked hard to raise their children as devout Muslims and instill in them the values of hard work, quality education, and service to their community, all whilst pursuing the American dream.
Mr. Ahmed arrived as an immigrant to the U.S. with only $500 in his pocket, eventually building his own company, V-Empower, Inc., which was ranked in 2007 as the #1 Fastest Growing Company in Maryland be Deloitte. Throughout that time, he consistently gave back to his community through volunteer work with organizations such as Lutheran Social Services, Winter Haven Homeless Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, State Democracy Foundation, and the Ayesha & Ali Padder Foundation. Also feeling the need to bring fresh ideas to local state government, Mr. Ahmed has also been active in local political campaigns, including running for the Maryland House of Delegates three times.
“Parents play a crucial role in shaping our lives and the life of our nation,” former U.S. president Bill Clinton said in his Parents’ Day 2000 Proclamation. “We owe our parents — whether biological or adoptive, stepparents or foster parents — a profound debt of gratitude for their sacrificial efforts, unconditional love and constant devotion.”
