47. Dr. Faroque Khan

More than 30 years ago, a group of concerned Muslim Americans on Long Island gathered in Dr. Faroque Khan’s home to lay out the blueprint for what would eventually become the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, a peaceful place of worship where congregants now number in the thousands and where local officials and other religious leaders meet for frequent discussions. Khan has grabbed the mantle as unofficial spokesman for the Muslim-American community on LI ever since he retired as Chairman of Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center. He has become a soothing voice for a community that has been discriminated against since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. He has also spoken out to defend them on a number of occasions, including two years ago when Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) first held his controversial Muslim Radicalization hearings, and most recently in the wake of the Boston bombings. Khan remains a tireless advocate for inter-faith respect and understanding.