LAST FEBRUARY, A new community center dedicated to uplifting statistically masked yet increasingly impoverished and marginalized communities opened in Long Island, a place traditionally thought of as where people on the economic upswing moved. What’s interesting is the center’s mission: to socially uplift and unify the ‘common human soul’ of Long Island’s communities of the needful.
The moral-cultural values mix that the center’s mission articulates perfectly reflects what is unique about the charity behind it. Zakat Foundation of America is a fast-emerging U.S.-based, Muslim-founded and directed, global humanitarian organization of growing consequence and innovative impact in the charitable world. 

At its regular April meeting, the CEO Club of New York hosted the renowned figure of the cigar world, Murat Özgener, owner of Özgener Family Cigars. Based in Nashville, TN, Özgener Family Cigars had sold one of its well-known cigar brands in the US, CAO International, to Scandinavian Tobaccoational in 2007. Founded by Cano Özgener with his children Murat and Aylin, CAO quickly became one of the well-known cigar brands in the US. Murat Özgener, who returned to the cigar world last year with the Bosphorus brand, met with cigar enthusiasts at the event held at Lefkes restaurant.

In a market saturated with tradition, TriaExodus is bringing a breath of fresh air to the cigar industry. Founded in New Jersey, TriaExodus specializes in creating personalized cigars and bespoke cigar boxes, offering a unique blend of luxury and individuality that promises to resonate with discerning cigar enthusiasts. At the heart of TriaExodus is a commitment to craftsmanship and customization. The company sources its cigars from renowned factories in the Dominican Republic, where skilled artisans hand-roll each piece to perfection. These premium cigars are then shipped to New Jersey, where TriaExodus adds the final touch—custom-designed packaging and cigar bands tailored to the tastes and preferences of each customer.

Over 10,000 people attended a three-day festival celebrating Turkish culture in the US city of Chicago, drawn by traditional cuisine, art and theatrical performances. “The response to our invitation was much more than our expectations. We are very pleased,” said Halil Demir, one of the founders of the committee for the event, which ended Sunday. “In fact, we were able to bring so many people. We surpassed 10,000 people,” said Demir, adding they estimated that the number of visitors on the last day of the festival numbered in the thousands. Demir, who is also the executive director of the charitable group that spearheaded the festival, the Zakat Foundation, said it was a “fantastic feeling that people responded to our call in that very short time.”