Muslim heads IFC

Long-time Chico resident Ali Sarsour became the first Muslim to head the Interfaith Council of the Chico Area, when the group elected him president on Oct. 10. Sarsour, who came to Chico as a student in 1970, is of Palestinian origin.

A Chico State grad, he was active in student government. He later served on the city’s Affirmative Action Committee and Parking Place Commission. He is now vice-chairman of the Human Resources Commission.

Following 9/11, Sarsour was extremely involved in fostering good relations between local Muslims and others. The Chico Peace and Justice Center gave him its Peace Endeavor award in 2002, and that same year the CN&R selected him as one of its five “local heroes.”

His recipe for solving problems: “Have a potluck together!”