DEARBORN — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
of Michigan has obtained a foreclosure extension on a civil and human rights
center it built that was never completed. On June 5 the building was expected
to go into foreclosure, but an extension was granted through July 15.

Imad Hamad, regional director of the ADC-MI, says the
organization is relieved about the time expansion which has provided a sense of
security and safety. “The center is not facing eminent danger,” Hamad
said. 

 It was a
“community hero” who made the extension possible according to Hamad.
He says the ADC plans on honoring the individual with a tribute of recognition
at the appropriate time.  The
American Arab Center for Civil and Human Rights located in Dearborn was a $2
million project. It’s on Chase Road near Ford Road.

A drastic decline in donations resulting from the troubled
economy, and a $500,000 loan ADC Michigan gave ADC’s national headquarters
office have prevented completion of the project. Hamad said the center would
have been finished if it weren’t for the loan.  “I never approved of it,” Hamad said.  Other employees of ADC Michigan also
didn’t approve of the loan, however no one including Hamad had any discretion
over it. The loan was expected to be paid back, but never was because ADC National
is also facing financial difficulties.

ADC-Michigan has received two separate donations from the
state of Qatar. Both went towards funding the project. One was for $1 million,
and another in the amount of $500,000. 
ADC-MI was responsible for coming up with the remaining $300,000 needed.

Both donations from Qatar were a one-time generous
gift.  ADC-Michigan doesn’t receive
grants, or monetary gifts from Arab countries as other organizations may. It
has spent money on the project beyond what Qatar donated. Hamad says windows
cost $35,000, and thousands of dollars have been spent in taxes among other
maintenance costs. 

“It is very painful. You work on a dream. And you get
so close to the dream becoming a reality, and you’re looking at it,” he
said. ADC-MI is limited in resources, and has been avoiding basic needs
including updating its computer system in order to maintain the building
because of its significance.

The income ADC generates from its annual gala is not nearly
enough to cover the remaining costs of the building. The income is used to
cover the operation of its local office.

The ADC-Michigan has received several offers from private
investors to purchase the building, since they put a for sale sign on it.
Officials say they are taking their time studying all offers. “We don’t
want to rush to a decision, and we want to reach a reasonable solution,”
Hamad said.

The Arab Student Union presented ADC-MI with a $2,600 check.
“It took a student organization to come and lend a hand to the ADC. This
should serve as an example to the rest of the community,” Hamad said.
“We dared to try, fail or succeed, it’s still an achievement.”