DEARBORN — The Dearborn-based Web site Arab Detroit will host its 7th annual educational workshop entitled “Images and Perceptions of Arab Americans: Arab America: Bridging the Gap” on Thursday, December 3, 2009.

Byblos Banquet Hall at 7258 Chase Road in Dearborn will be the site of the event, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and features a variety of presenters and a luncheon.

The goal of the workshop will be to help participants better understand Arab Americans, especially the diversity the community possesses and how it can become one of America’s greatest assets both locally and nationally.

“We have been very fortunate to have individuals who have walked out with a lot of positives and a changed perception in a positive way,” said Siham Awada, a co-coordinator with Arab Detroit.

“Through surveys after the event we have found that people are more apt to read things more objectively and to investigate before they accept what they hear in the media as fact.”

Arab Detroit encourages members of the print and broadcast media, business leaders, human resource directors, diversity program managers, advertising, marketing and communications professionals, educators, municipal and government employees, law enforcement personnel, community leaders and those simply interested in learning more about Arab Americans to attend the event in order to gain a better understanding of the rapidly growing Arab American community in southeast Michigan.

Most of the audience each year is comprised of non-Arabs, and many of them have described the event as an eye-opening experience in the past.

Awada called the event a “labor of love” and said that Arab Detroit usually breaks even on the event in terms of finances.

Presenters for the event include Dr. Clovis Maksoud, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Center for the Global South at American University in Washington, D.C., Dr. Amal Khalil David, Bilingual Program Supervisor of Detroit Public Schools and multicultural specialist in Arabic language and culture, Arab Detroit Founder Warren David, and Simon Shaheen, a New York-based Arab American musician, composer, and virtuoso of the oud and violin musical instruments.

The event includes a workshop, materials, and luncheon and registration is $125 per participant or $35 for students. For more information, visit www.arabdetroit.com.