FBI Press Release
Atlanta Field Office
Gregory Jones, Special Agent in Charge

Contact: SA Stephen Emmett
Desk: (404) 679-6451
Cell:  (404) 392-2506

For Immediate Release
Friday, February 13, 2007

Atlanta – Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta,

extends his invitation to the local media stations/press as he presents

Dr. Mohammad O. Tomeh, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Al-Farooz Mosque of Atlanta, with the Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2006.

The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2007, at the Atlanta FBI Field Office, located at 2636 Century Parkway, Suite 400, Atlanta, Georgia , to commence at 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Tomeh came to the United States from Syria in 1967 and has devoted much of his career to the study of pediatric infectious diseases. He attended medical school in Damascus, Syria, graduating in 1967, and served his pediatric residency at the Cleveland Clinic and Tulane University Medical School from 1968 to 1970.

As Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Al-Farooz Mosque of Atlanta, Dr. Tomeh has spearheaded a seven million dollar building project that, when completed, will be the largest mosque in the southeastern United States with more than 1,500 congregants. Under Dr. Tomeh’s leadership, the new mosque will grow to 40,000 square feet and will include two educational facilities.

The Al-Farooz Masjid was established in 1980 as a religious institution devoted to the service of the international Muslim community of greater Atlanta and the southeastern United States. Since that time, it has served the community at large by promoting goodwill and understanding about Islam and represents a vibrant community from all walks of life that strives to serve Islam.

In his capacity as Chairman, Dr. Tomeh is active in the Atlanta community and he personally has demonstrated leadership in promoting a greater understanding of issues within the community. He has established strong outreach protocols with the various Atlanta area law enforcement agencies, including the FBI. His participation in regular town hall meetings, as well as his interaction with the FBI, have greatly assisted in promoting understanding and sensitivity as they relate to the Muslim community in Atlanta.