By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
DALLAS — Around 1,000 physicians, healthcare professionals, civic leaders, and community members gathered Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency Dallas for the Dallas Muslim Medical Alliance’s Annual Gala 2026, an evening focused on healthcare, civic engagement, community service, and the growing visibility of Muslim professionals across North Texas.
The event featured keynote remarks from Cenk Uygur, a comedy performance by Sammy Obeid, and appearances from medical leaders, nonprofit representatives, and public officials.
Organizers described DMMA as a nonprofit organization representing more than 1,000 physicians, dentists, and healthcare professionals throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
Focus on Service and Education
During opening remarks, Dr. Rahman Mohammed described the gala as a celebration of “healthcare, service, and purpose” while outlining DMMA’s broader mission of “education, engagement, and empowerment.”
Mohammed reflected on DMMA’s growth from a smaller professional network into a broader community-focused institution supporting mentorship, scholarships, healthcare outreach, and humanitarian programs.
“The best thing we can give the next generation is education,” Mohammed told attendees while discussing efforts aimed at helping younger students pursue careers in medicine, healthcare, and public service.
Throughout the evening, speakers emphasized healthcare service, education, mentorship, humanitarian outreach, and civic engagement.
Attendees included physicians, business leaders, local activists, elected officials, candidates, and younger healthcare professionals from across North Texas, including Pakistani American racing driver Arshia Akhtar, who describes herself as the “first and only FIA-certified female auto racer” from Pakistan.
Cenk Addresses Political Climate
Cenk Uygur’s keynote speech shifted the tone of the evening toward politics, civic participation, and growing concerns over polarization and anti-immigrant rhetoric in the United States.
Speaking to the crowd, Cenk reflected on his own immigrant background while encouraging attendees to remain engaged in public life and politics.
“I came to this country when I was 8 years old,” Cenk told attendees.
Throughout the speech, he criticized rhetoric that portrays immigrants and Muslim Americans as outsiders and argued that many communities are growing tired of being treated as though they do not belong in the country.
“We’re all tired of folks coming in here telling us we don’t belong,” Cenk said during one of the louder applause moments of the evening.
“There’s nobody in this room who loves America any less than anyone else,” he later added.
Cenk also spoke about the role minority communities have played throughout American history in pushing for equality and civil rights.
“Our African American brothers and sisters fought for equal rights,” he said while discussing broader civil rights movements in the United States. “Women fought for equality.”
At another point in the speech, Cenk praised Muslim physicians and humanitarian workers who have provided medical assistance during international crises, including doctors who traveled overseas to assist civilians affected by the war in Gaza.
He later encouraged attendees not to disengage from politics or civic life despite growing political hostility and social division.
“When you get down, you get depressed, and it feels like all the power goes away,” Cenk said. “We can’t go away.”
Several comments about inclusion, civic engagement, and discrimination drew extended applause from the audience.
Event Reflects Growing Civic Engagement
The event took place during a period of heightened political tension surrounding Muslim communities both nationally and in Texas, including debates over immigration, religious identity, Muslim-focused developments, and accusations involving “Sharia law” or extremism from some political figures and activist groups.
Against that backdrop, Saturday’s gala carried a more personal tone for many in attendance.
Beyond the speeches and formal presentations, the evening served as a reminder that many of the people often discussed in political debates are physicians, healthcare workers, business owners, students, parents, and community leaders deeply involved in civic and professional life across North Texas.
Many attendees spent the evening reconnecting with colleagues and friends while celebrating professional achievements and supporting healthcare and humanitarian initiatives.
While much of the event focused on healthcare, mentorship, education, and humanitarian work, the gala also reflected a desire among many attendees to be seen through their contributions to the community rather than political rhetoric or stereotypes.
DMMA Highlights Community Contributions
Following the event, Dr. Mohammed said organizations like DMMA play an important role in highlighting the accomplishments, service, and contributions Muslim healthcare professionals continue to make across North Texas.
“Muslim physicians across North Texas are saving lives, leading hospitals, mentoring future generations, and serving communities every single day,” Dr. Mohammed told TX3DNews. “DMMA gives visibility to contributions and helps replace stereotypes with human connection, compassion, and excellence.”
He added that the organization’s work through healthcare, education, philanthropy, and civic engagement is helping “build a stronger and more united North Texas,” a theme that resonated throughout the evening as attendees gathered to celebrate professional achievement, community service, mentorship, and civic involvement across North Texas.
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