When Catholic Charities called Dr. Basheer Ahmed in the early 1990s, asking for help relocating Muslim Bosnian refugees, he quickly realized something larger was missing across Texas. “There was no Muslim social service organization or charitable organization helping people,” Ahmed said. T hat phone call led Ahmed, now 90 years old, to found the Muslim Community Center for Human Services, a North Texas nonprofit that has since grown into a network of free and low-cost medical, dental and social service programs serving thousands each year. “Being a psychiatrist, I had been doing some consultation work for Catholic Charities,” Ahmed recalled. The organization was helping relocate Muslim Bosnian refugees to North Texas and needed guidance on cultural and religious needs, including mosques and halal food. Ahmed, a Muslim immigrant from India, said the request stayed with him. “They said, ‘Dr. Ahmed, what should we do?’” he said. “And I became very concerned that in the entire Texas, in fact, there was no Muslim social service organization or charitable organization helping people.” In 1995, Ahmed gathered a group of supporters and founded the Muslim Community Center for Human Services, known as MCC. The organization, based in Richland Hills, began modestly. “So, I acted as a receptionist also initially,” Ahmed said. “We didn’t have money.” Ahmed soon realized many patients also struggled to access medical care because of language barriers, cultural differences and long wait times. “They had to wait a long time. There were language barriers, cultural barriers,” he said. What started as culturally sensitive social services expanded into medical care, mental health support, domestic violence assistance and dental services. Ahmed said community support helped the organization grow. One example that stands out to him involved retiring dentist Sam Roach, who donated equipment to MCC’s dental clinic before volunteering there himself. “[A] Christian donating office to a Muslim organization shows how humanity works,” Ahmed said. A Life Shaped by Service Ahmed has held many leadership roles throughout his life, including serving as president of the Islamic Association of North America in 1979. “In 1979, when there was Iranian hostages, he called us,” Ahmed said of former President Jimmy Carter. Ahmed said Carter sought input from Muslim leaders during the hostage crisis. Still, Ahmed said service remains the role that matters most to him. “I always feel that every human being should think about why God created you, what purpose you are serving,” he said. “I realized that serving humanity is my purpose of life.” Adeela Malik, MCC’s director of clinical services, said the organization continues adapting to financial challenges while trying to meet growing demand. “This was operating right until COVID,” Malik said of the dental clinic. “When COVID hit, we had to shut it down because of a lack of funds.” Malik said MCC now connects patients with partner dentists who provide care for free or at reduced cost through their own practices. “That’s one of our goals, to collect enough funds and reopen it,” Malik said. “Because I’m telling you, there is a lot of demand. People are willing to travel two hours for their dental.” MCC services are free, though patients may be charged a $25 administrative fee if they can afford it. One patient, who asked not to be identified, said he discovered MCC after searching online while struggling with serious health issues and no insurance. “When you lose 70 pounds in three months, and we thought like something serious was going on,” he said. The patient said he initially believed the clinic only treated Muslim patients. “To be honest, first I thought they’re only treating like Muslim community, but I was very wrong,” he said. Doctors diagnosed him with untreated diabetes, and he said ongoing visits have helped him manage the condition. “I’m glad I found them because they’re, I will say, saved my life,” he said. The patient also shared a message for Ahmed. “I wanna say thank you from the bottom of my heart for having such a kind heart,” he said. Ahmed said the organization’s mission remains rooted in expanding care to anyone in need. “This is the best medical service in the world we provide here in America,” Ahmed said. “I can tell you that. But unfortunately, the sad part is it’s not for everybody. And my desire is that I wish we can do this to every person. We can.” Even after decades of work, Ahmed said serving others continues to guide him. “I feel at least a peace in mind that I am doing that for satisfying my own faith and my purpose for living in this world,” he said. The Muslim Community Center for Human Services operates through donated time and funding. ...read more read less