Arab American Chamber of Commerce Honors Mr. Halil Demir for his Humanitarian Leadership
The American Arab Chamber of Commerce honored Mr. Halil Demir, Executive Director and Founder of the Zakat Foundation of America, alongside a distinguished group of community leaders, media personalities, local mayors, and noted members of local governments at a ceremony held in Orland Park with Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge, Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander Basta, and Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek of Bridgeview.
The American Arab Chamber of Commerce of Chicago honored 80 individuals for their contributions to the community during its annual “Best of the Best” dinner at the Orland Civic Center Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025
This recognition celebrates Mr. Demir’s continuous efforts and dedication to humanitarian work and for providing aid to vulnerable people and to those in need both in the United States and abroad.
The Zakat Foundation programs has helped scores of poor communities across United States and millions of people in over 50 countries worldwide without discrimination based on race, religion, color and national origin.
“I am truly honored to have received this award and I am thankful for the Arab American Chamber Commerce for recognize the work Zakat Foundation has done to help the poor and needy in many cities in the United States such as our great city Chicago, and all over the world” said Mr. Demir.
“The Zakat foundation has been doing a lot of great work for the poor and needy people in America of all religions and races. And we take this opportunity to recognize its founder and one of our community most influential leaders Mr. Halil Demir for his lifelong dedication to help those who need help. “Said Ray Hanania the spokesperson for the Arab American Chamber of Commerce.
The Arab American Chamber of Commerce commended Mr. Demir for his dedication to fostering values of generosity and social justice through relief and development initiatives that have made a tangible impact on the lives of countless individuals in need across the globe.
Demir has dedicated his life to giving voice to the unheard, delivering hope to the distressed, and imploring for peace in some of the world’s most challenging places.
Demir’s authenticity is grounded in his own life story. Born in a remote village in Southeastern Turkey, he experienced poverty firsthand. He taught himself to read at an early age, and his thirst for knowledge led him to Switzerland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He then went to the United States, where he obtained master’s degrees in Nonprofit Management and History, and he participated in Harvard University’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Executive Education Program. Along the way, Demir became fluent in six languages. As he worked to support his family, he also became an impassioned advocate for social justice, tolerance, decency, and human rights.
For more information the the Zakat Foundation visit www.zakat.org
For more information on the America Arab Chamber of Commerce, visit AACCUSA.org
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Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].
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