DEARBORN — Pending indictments involving local Arab American community leaders dominated discussion during a Building Respect in Diverse Groups to Enhance Sensitivity (BRIDGES) meeting Wednesday in Dearborn.

The meeting brought together about 80 members of the Arab American community and representatives from several government agencies including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. State Department.

Two particular cases were discussed during the meeting, one of them involving community activist Muthanna Al-Hanooti, who has been accused of working for the regime of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. AL-Hanooti’s son spoke during the meeting, describing the turmoil his family has been bearing since the charges were brought against his father. Suhaib Al-Hanooti said his father has worked tirelessly for years to improve the image of the U.S. in the Arab World.

Muthanna Al-Hanooti has been on a monitored tether since he was charged in 2008, which he said prevents him from working and supporting his family.

Another recent case involving local activist Attorney Tim Attalla was also cited. Last May, Attalla was accused of links to a Michigan motorcycle gang facing federal investigation for various crimes.

Community advocate Suehaila Amen spoke on behalf of Attalla, saying that his record of activism in the community and beyond makes his current circumstances even more disturbing.

“Tim has truly been a bridge-builder who has helped advance our community,” she said. “This is a man who has given back so much, to not only the Arab American community but the greater community. These are our leaders that are being targeted… is this the reward they are being given for all they have given to our society?”

Barbara McQuade

“While I cannot comment on specific cases that are pending,” said Barbara McQuade, the recently appointed U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. “I can assure you that my goal is to charge based on conduct and not ethnicity “We are not targeting individuals based on who they are and what community they are active in.”
McQuade has been a participant in the BRIDGES initiative since its inception, but Wednesday’s meeting was her first in her capacity as U.S. Attorney.

The purpose of the BRIDGES initiative is to bring together Arab American community leaders with representatives from numerous government agencies to engage in open dialogue on issues of mutual concern. Through bi-monthly meetings, the group aims to address ongoing issues while strengthening the relationship between the government and the Arab American community.

Margo Schlanger

The meeting hosted Margo Schlanger, newly appointed Officer of the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Schlanger, who has been at her new post for only six weeks, said she looks forward to tackling important issues through her participation with BRIDGES.
“I have a personal commitment to learning from meetings like this and I look forward to working closely with the community here,” she said.

Also discussed during the meeting was the ongoing issue of local Iraqi Christians facing deportation by DHS’s Detention and Removal Office. Several community organizations, including the Chaldean Federation of America, raised concerns about Iraqi Christian immigrants being forced to return to their homeland, which has been unstable and unsafe for Christians in particular for a number of years. Those who spoke asked that special consideration be given to these individuals, since they were likely to be the targets of violence upon returning to Iraq.

Representatives from the DRO offered little information to the concerned community members, stating that the role of their department is strictly to carry out the rulings of the local immigration court, and that the State Department is responsible for declaring a country or region unsafe.

“The significance of BRIDGES is that it allows us to maintain open communication with government officials through active dialogue, and that’s what leads to solving some of the issues our community faces,” stated Imad Hamad, ADC Michigan Regional Director and BRIDGES co-founder. “The cases discussed during the meeting are of great concern to the local community. While BRIDGES tries not to cite specific cases, the community has demanded that we address them, and it is our responsibility to do so.”