Dr. Maher Hathout wins LA Human Relations Commission’s Award

Dr. Maher Hathout was awarded the LA County Human Relations Commission John Allen Buggs award on October 5th at the Biltmore Hotel. The event occurred after a contentious battle over whether Dr. Hathout was a moderating force for good human relations which the John Allen Buggs award recognizes. Rabbi Leonard Beerman, Rabbi Steve Jacobs, Rev. George Regas, Rev. Ed Bacon, Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, and Fr. Ernesto Medina were among his supporters. NCRR joined community leaders, including the Progressive Jewish Alliance in support of the nomination.

At the awards luncheon, Dr. Hathout, the first Muslim to receive this award, received several standing ovations for his rich, decades-long track record in building coalitions and forging dialogues among diverse segments of the County’s religious and ethnic communities. Last year, NCRR was awarded the John Anson Ford Human Relations award by the County Board of Supervisor’s First District (under Gloria Molina) for its’ broad civil rights work.