DEARBORN — The Arab Student Union of Michigan-Dearborn has become one of the most active and energized Arab American organizations in Michigan, and the group will host one of the state’s largest student events of the year on March 23. 

Kucinich (right) visiting war-torn Lebanon following the 2006 bombings by Israel.

The ASU recently helped bring in presidential candidate Ron Paul, and is now preparing to welcome another prominent congressman, Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), as keynote speaker at its 7th Annual Empowering the Youth Banquet on March 23 at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center. 

Mahde Abdallah, the president of the ASU, said that Kucinich was chosen for being a true voice of the people, and for his strong role in the peace movement while speaking out against oppression of Arabs. 

“Congressman Kucinich is one of the last true statesmen serving the people today,” Abdallah said. “He has an unwavering record as he has denounced the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, voted against the PATRIOT Act and NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), and he has been an avid supporter of our community.” 

Kucinich also visited Lebanon in 2007 after the 2006 war against the country by Israel; previously he introduced a resolution calling for a cease-fire as Israeli bombings occurred. He also has visited Syria and has spoke in support of Arab-related causes such as the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund while speaking out on militarization of all kinds and in favor of the working class and worker’s rights in America. 

Several ASU members joined Kucinich to help campaign and canvass for him in Ohio in his bid to win the state’s 9th District against Marcy Kaptur, a race between two popular Democrats that came about due to Republican-led redistricting. Abdallah said that the group worked and met with several Arab Americans in the area as they helped with the Kucinich campaign. Kucinich, an eight-term congressman and two-time presidential candidate from Cleveland, lost the race, but remains one of the most popular political figures in the United States. 

Last year, the ASU held one of its most memorable events in its history when it hosted a tribute to Dearborn’s Amer family, reuniting mother Rehab Amer in a surprise twist with her son Adam (Mohammed Ali) who was wrongfully taken by the state of Michigan. The ASU also commemorated the Amers’ long fight and passage of the state’s Amer Act, which gives preference to relatives, culture and religion in foster cases. This year, the ASU helped bring Nobel Prize winner and Yemeni revolution leader Tawwakul Karman to Dearborn as a co-sponsor, helped with local elections and assisted in the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s creation of an Arab American Studies minor for students. 

The ASU has branches at Wayne State, Lawrence Tech, Detroit-Mercy, and Fordson High School, and may have a new one soon at Star International Academy, which would be the second high school. 

Its missions include increasing the positive awareness of the Arab American heritage while decreasing the harmful stereotyping of the people of the culture as well as working to spread awareness and to become politically active in support of international causes to help end the oppression of Arabs. 

The event begins at 6 p.m. on March 23 and will feature awards to outstanding community members and leaders as well. For more info, call 313.571.5622, 313.247.8316, or please email arabstudentunion@gmail.com.