DEARBORN — Despite the civil rights organization’s financial struggles, the mood was upbeat and celebratory as the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee – Michigan on Dec. 11 honored those in the community who have made a difference.

Arab American of the Year awardee Ashley Ansara speaks before a packed house at the 2009 ADC Fundraising Gala.                         PHOTOS: Nafeh AbuNab

The group held its 13th annual fundraising gala at Greenfield Manor in Dearborn before a packed house of friends, sponsors, and supporters.  
The sell-out crowd and support from ADC partner DTE Energy and various sponsors led ADC Regional Director Imad Hamad to declare the event a “great success.” DTE was given a special award for its continued support.

“It’s very gratifying to see such overwhelming support from the community in one of the most challenging years that we’ve ever had,” he said.

“The fact that just two staff members put together such a well-supported gala is very empowering and gratifying and gives us a great dose of energy to add to our determination to keep going despite the difficulties we’re coping with.”

Fox 2 News reporter Bill Gallagher served as emcee for the evening, using his platform as emcee to thank the ADC for the services they provide.

“ADC to me is invaluable, they always stand up and make themselves accessible and they’ve always been very helpful in fighting the levels of ignorance we all hope can be overcome.”

Gallagher also spoke out about the media’s coverage of the Israeli attacks on Gaza in December and January 2008, calling it “distorted” and lacking in both objective analysis and in showing the plight of Palestinians; he also called Switzerland’s recent decision to ban Islamic minarets “a disgrace” as it relates to freedom of religion.

“We live in a world where fear reigns; we need to foster greater understanding and communication,” he said.

New ADC National Director Sara Najjar-Wilson speaks at the Greenfield Manor during ADC’s 13th Annual Fundraising Gala on Dec. 11.

Later in the evening, new ADC National Director Sara Najjar-Wilson was introduced for the first time in Dearborn.
“I don’t have a magic wand but I’m going to do my best to make things right,” she said.

“We are Americans and we love this country, we’ve served it for many years; we kiss the ground we walk on.

“Many were taught to hate and fear us but we’re going to reverse that in time.”

Jalil (George) Saad received the Community Service Award to kick off the awards portion of the evening. The Detroit businessman was the Salvation Army’s 2003 Territorial Volunteer of the Year recognizing several years of community service, and he has played an instrumental role in numerous youth-specific initiatives.

“The cause is to help each other in every community, not just the Arab community or the Muslim community or the Christian community but every community, and the ADC helps us all defend our rights,” Saad said.

Edward Deeb (right) poses with ADC leaders after receiving ADC’s Building Bridges Award.

Fellow local businessman Edward Deeb took home the Building Bridges Award on the evening. Deeb is the president and chief executive officer of the Michigan Food & Beverage Association and is the head of the Michigan Business and Professional Association. Deeb is involved with numerous local charities including the United Way and Salvation Army. He spoke of the success of one of his projects, the Metro Detroit Youth Day, which has grown from just over 1,000 kids in 1981 to 35,000 in 2009.
Dr. Marwan Abouljoud won the Excellence in Medical Service & Advocacy Award for his work as director of the Henry Ford Transplant Institute.

Publisher of The Arab American News Osama Siblani presents the Excellence in Medical Service & Advocacy Award to Dr. Marwan Abouljoud.

“This award is only more empowering and will only inspire me to do more,” he said, “Thank you ADC for all that you do.”
The University of Detroit Mercy Law Clinics won the Excellence in Legal Advocacy Award and was noted for its diverse, tolerant atmosphere and the accomplishments of its students and graduates.

Finally, the award for Arab American of the Year went to Ashley Ansara, president & CEO of Ansara Holding Corporation. Ansara flew in from Egypt the day before to receive the award.

He announced his desire to build a Kids’ House in Dearborn that would work to preserve Arab Americans’ cultural knowledge and language skills.

“If I have the volunteers for this project, I will be the first one to write the check,” he said.

Following the awards, The Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani appealed to the crowd and sponsors for more financial support for ADC-Michigan while also recounting the story of how the ADC’s national office was founded in 1980.

The organization was started by James Abourezk, the first Arab American U.S. Senator, in a meeting with 60 Arab leaders from across the U.S. Abourezk was motivated to start ADC because of what he deemed to be anti-Arab sentiments in the media and in society and also in response to the “Abscam” scandal of 1978-1980 in which FBI employees posed as Middle Eastern businessmen in videotaped talks with government officials, where they offered money in return for political favors to a non-existent sheikh named Kambir Abdul Rahman.

Actors from the popular Syrian TV show “Bab Al Hara” pose between activists Imad Hamad (L) and Zouhair Alawieh.

“The presence of diverse guests from every living aspect of our society shows that the ADC is truly a common bond to all,” Hamad said. “It was great to look out into the crowd and not see a single empty seat, and we intend to live up to it and to keep ADC strong on behalf of the community.”
Hamad is well-known in Metro Detroit among civic leaders. But he also has a strong presence in Washington, D.C.

Hamad was presented Friday night with a U.S. Senator Congressional Record from Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, adding to the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Record he received in 1999 from Representatives John Conyers, David Bonior, and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. Hamad also has three flags flying over the U.S. Capitol Building in his honor as well from Conyers, Rep. John Dingell, and Sen. Spencer Abraham.

The award means that Hamad’s name is now part of the official historical record of the U.S. Senate.

Here is an excerpt of the letter Levin sent confirming the award.

“Mr. President, I am honored to recognize the efforts of Imad Hamad…who has been a strong advocate for more than three decades in support of the civil rights and civil liberties of Arab Americans in Michigan and across the nation. His efforts have surely had a profound and enduring impact.”

Levin also mentioned Hamad’s recent appointment to the Michigan State Advisory Committee of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission as well-deserved and called him “a moving and effective spokesperson and leader, bridging the many culturally diverse communities of Southeast Michigan.”

Hamad was grateful to receive the award.

“I take it as another badge of honor coming from a prominent and distinguished senator such as Carl Levin,” Hamad said. “I receive it with all humbleness on behalf of all of the staff of the ADC including the interns, volunteers, and friends.

ADC leaders said they remain committed to finishing construction of the American Arab Center for Civil and Human Rights on Chase Road in Dearborn. For additional information or to donate, visit www.adcmichigan.org, call 313.581.1201, or e-mail adcmichigan@adc.org.