DEARBORN — The City Council voted last week to grant the American-Arab Chamber of Commerce’s request to continue to use Warren Avenue on the city’s east side for its annual Arab International Festival according to officials. 

Mayor Jack O’Reilly spoke in favor of moving the festival to a closed site in order to cut down on distractions including increasing numbers of aggressive, anti-Islam missionaries calling themselves Christians. But Chamber officials resisted, saying that the goal of the festival is to promote business in the area. The city also received an indemnity allowing Wayne County to take the lead on security and allowing Dearborn to be held harmless for any possible legal fallout from the event. 

The 2012 festival will be held June 15, 16, 17.  Moving the festival was never an option according to the AACC.

“We are pleased that the city has approved the permit for the festival on Warren Avenue,” said Executive Director Fay Beydoun. “The festival celebrates our heritage and cultural diversity while promoting entertainment and promoting the Warren Avenue Business District.”