"It’s really a very honorable award and very important award for the Muslim-American community," Tomeh said. "We are first U.S. citizens and then Muslim."

The Community Leadership Award was created in 1990 to honor people for efforts to fight drugs and gangs. Recently, it has been broadened to also recognize people who help in the fight against terrorism.

"I gained the respect and understanding of him as he voiced some concerns ... that enabled me and my staff to be culturally sensitive," aid Gregory Jones, the special agent in charge of the Atlanta office.

Tomeh moved to the U.S. from Syria in 1967 after earning a medical degree. He spent most of his career studying infectious diseases in children.

As chairman of the board of al-Farooq, Tomeh helped raise millions to expand the mosque, which will become the largest in the Southeast.

Tomeh said in an interview that he meets with FBI officials once every month or two. He said he explains Muslim customs and, at times, has reassured the FBI his mosque is a religious institution that is not involved in politics.