DEARBORN — An energetic group of college students hopes to add an extra spark to their efforts as Arab American youth activists when they bring Norman Finkelstein — a well-known scholar on Israeli-Palestinian conflict who causes a stir every time he speaks in the Detroit area — to keynote their annual “Empowering the Youth” dinner on March 20.

Arab Student Union activists from the University of Michigan-Dearborn prepare to put in work at Vista Maria, a child welfare agency and shelter for girls in Dearborn Heights, during a volunteering efforts on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 19, 2009.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Arab Student Union (ASU) plans to send proceeds from the fourth annual dinner to Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital through the charity Islamic Relief.
ASU President Rashid Baydoun said Finkelstein generates a lot of buzz as a son of Jewish Holocaust survivors who is outspoken, from a scholarly perspective, in favor of Palestinian rights.

“In light of all the current crises in Gaza and the one-sided media coverage… coming from a man who is Jewish and whose parents suffered in the Holocaust, it gives a lot more emphasis,” said Baydoun. “Because he is a scholar and we’re students. It centers our banquet and our mission.”

Baydoun said ASU membership is growing and that the group has more freshmen and sophomore members than ever.

He said members participated in the Michigan Democratic Party’s state convention in February, helping to get some Arab Americans appointed to the party’s youth caucus.

Arab Student Union activists from the University of Michigan-Dearborn put in work at Vista Maria on Martin Luther King Day.  Photos courtesy of  Mariam Baydoun

The group is also known for staging anti-war protests and vigils and taking part in community volunteering efforts.
ASU member Souraya El-Sayed, a sophomore double major studying biochemistry and philosophy, said the group’s political activities, growing influence and ability to bring figures as well known as Finkelstein and media critic Jack Shaheen, who spoke at last year’s dinner, show the group’s effectiveness in “empowering the youth.”

“It validates the fact that our youth is speaking up and it shows that we have power,” she said. “We’re proving ourselves to the community.”

She said the annual dinner has in past years attracted about 500 guests, but “I think we’re gonna have way more this year.”

“The high school students are dying to hear Finkelstein speak,” she said.

Norman Finkelstein

The group is nominated for the university’s 2009 “Outstanding Organization of the Year” award.
The March 20 dinner, 6 p.m. at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center, 6220 Miller Road in Dearborn, is also to feature poetry readings, and, because it coincides with the Arab world celebration of Mother’s Day, something special planned for the moms in attendance.

For more information or to buy tickets, contact Mariam Baydoun at 313.258.5171, Abdullah Hammoud at 313.207.8390 or email arabstudentunion@gmail.com.