BROADCASTS.com

b'With the\\xa0increase in instances of Islamophobia\\xa0and certain presidential candidates calling for "a ban on all Muslim travel to the U.S.," it is long past time to get to know our neighbors. \\xa0For the next several weeks I am presenting a series, "Meet Your Muslim Neighbor." \\xa0 Ali Houdroge is one of the founding members of the\\xa0Islamic Center of Portland\\xa0at the corner of Denney Road and Hall Boulevard in Beaverton. \\xa0 Mr. Houdroge was born in Lebanon\\xa0and attended Portland Community College and Portland State University. \\xa0He worked as an electrical engineer with the army corps of engineers for 31 years until his retirement. \\xa0 He has been managing the affairs of the Islamic Center since its inception in 1993, which serves a diverse Muslim Shia community from Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and India.'