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Public Testimony

Public testimony: Dr. Marcus Lambert, SUNY Downstate professor, supports project

New York City Council · Jul 1, 2026 · starts 1:57:45 · 1 min 56 sec

Dr. Marcus Lambert, a masjid member for 20 years and SUNY Downstate professor, testifies in support. He describes the masjid's public health impact including cancer screenings, hypertension and diabetes events, and emphasizes the need for structures to sustain collaborative efforts between medical institutions, community organizations, and faith-based institutions.

Farah N. Louis

We'll hear now from Marcus Lambert.

Farah N. Louis

Marcus Lambert.

Farah N. Louis

Last call for Marcus Lambert.

Farah N. Louis

All right.

Farah N. Louis

Unknown caller 8552.

Farah N. Louis

You could press star six to unmute yourself.

Farah N. Louis

I'm sorry.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

Can you hear me?

Farah N. Louis

Oh, Marcus.

Farah N. Louis

Hi.

Farah N. Louis

How are you?

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

Yes.

Farah N. Louis

You may begin your testimony.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

Okay.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

Thank you, Councilwoman Fairlewis.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

This is Dr.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

Marcus Lambert.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

I have been a member of Masjid Abdul-Muksi Khalifa for about 20 years now.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

I'm actually a transplant to New York.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

My wife is originally born and raised in East New York.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

And since then, I've joined as a professor.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

At SUNY Downstate, which we've had a couple interactions with you, Dr.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

Lewis.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

So thank you for you.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

I mean, Councilwoman Lewis, thank you for your support for our community.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

And I just want to really speak to the public health impact that our masjid has really had on the community.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

We've hosted a number of events throughout the years in terms of wellness, in terms of screenings, making sure that our community members are screened for things like

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

colorectal cancer and prostate cancer, hypertension, and so forth, diabetes.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

And it would be a shame, a tragedy, to sort of see that our institution doesn't have another 100-year legacy in this sort of impact in public health in this way.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

And I, for one,

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

will be working my hardest to ensure that these sort of collaborative efforts between our medical institutions, our community-based organizations, and our faith-based institutions continue.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

And we need structures to make that happen.

Member of the Public - Dr. Marcus Lambert

So thank you for your time.

Farah N. Louis

Thank you so much, Marcus.