Realtors® Are Good Neighbors: Ahmed Islam

In 2024, Ahmed Islam started the Community + Business Owners group at the Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley, bringing together local Muslim business owners and offering them a supportive and engaging community. 

“I moved to Allentown at the end of 2021, and I noticed that our local business community didn’t have the support it truly deserves,” Islam, a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors®, explains. “Wanting to make a difference, I put together a presentation and shared it with the president of MALV in 2024. From that conversation, the Community + Business Owners group at MALV was born. It was created to bring people together, uplift one another and build a stronger, more connected community.” 

“Community + Business is a dedicated initiative focused on fostering business growth and strengthening connections within the Lehigh Valley Muslim community. Our mission is to share ideas, build unity and create a lasting impact by providing a platform where entrepreneurs, professionals and aspiring business owners can connect, collaborate and support one another.” 

The Community + Business group regularly invites subject matter experts to speak on topics such as business growth, wealth-building strategies, tax law, commercial lending and more. They also aim to launch a comprehensive business directory to further strengthen connections and opportunities within their community, as well as establish a mentorship program. 

“I’m trying to build a strong network by connecting our community to business owners and professionals within the Lehigh Valley, encouraging a teamwork approach where the community supports local businesses,” Islam says. “Additionally, we would like to organize workshops, seminars and training programs for our community in the future.” 

“Through our efforts, we hope to harness the untapped potential within our community and create a vibrant ecosystem of connected, successful and supportive professionals.” 

Islam didn’t form the Community + Business group alone, though. He credits his coach, Joseph Scott McArdle, with pushing him to go for it two years ago, encouraging him to be a good neighbor to his local Muslim community. 

“Being a good neighbor makes you the main point of contact for your sphere of influence,” he adds. “As your network expands, you become the go-to person for everything related to people’s everyday needs and, of course, real estate!” 

Islam was also a nominee for the Bucks County Association of Realtors® Good Neighbor Award in 2025. He explains that as a Realtor®, he interacts with a variety of different people each and every day, including some that most others don’t have a chance to connect with. This helps him build connections in his local community, showing him further opportunities to be a good neighbor. 

What advice does Islam have for others who want to make a change? 

“I’d say go for it!” he encourages. “Start something, even if it’s just a small step. Don’t pay attention to those negative voices in your head or listen to the naysayers who’ll always tell you it’s a bad idea.”