Attorney Mona Fadlallah pictured with NAACP staff.

LIVONIA — On Sunday, Oct. 7 the NAACP Western Wayne County Branch awarded two Arab Americans for their hard work and commitment to upholding civil rights and social justice at its 2012 Freedom Fund Dinner.

Arab American Civil Rights League Executive Director, Rashid Baydoun received the Great Expectations Award, and Attorney Mona Fadlallah, who specializes in family law, criminal defense and civil rights was honored with the Thurgood Marshal Freedom and Justice Award. 

The reception was at Burton Manor here. Accepting his award Baydoun thanked ACRL Founder and Chairman Nabih Ayad saying Ayad had served as a role model to him. He encouraged audience members to continue reaching out to young people the same way Ayad had once reached out to him. “You paved the way for us, but now you have to keep the door open,” he said. 

For years Baydoun, 26, has led efforts to get young people active in their communities. Both Baydoun and Fadlallah are members of Arab American Political Action Committee. Baydoun is the former president of the Arab Student Union at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and received the “Distinguished Alumni Award” from the ASU earlier this year. Since becoming executive director of the ACRL, Baydoun has been a strong voice speaking out against efforts to stifle civil rights. 

Attorney Nabih Ayad and Rashid Baydoun.

Both Tanya Upthegrove, Outreach Coordinator for the Center of Michigan and Trish Brown, TPEPost Publisher were also honored by the NAACP and received awards. 

Fadlallah currently sits on the ACRL’s board, and is a member of the NAACP and Michigan Women’s Studies Association.  She also volunteers for United Way of Southeast Michigan and participates in Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community Trust, a community based coalition addressing police community concerns. 

Fadlallah received the ADC’s Pro Bono of the Year Award at the eighth annual Judges’ Night Banquet in 2009  for her commitment to pro bono work within the legal profession, and is the former ADC Greater Detroit Chapter President. 

She says America is the greatest country in the world, because of the diversity of its people and the opportunities it has to offer them. 

“Unfortunately, following the tragic attacks of September 11, the cyclic divisive rhetoric used by those, who negate the very spirit of America, led to the reckless cataloging of many Arab Americans, essentially creating an optimal atmosphere for intolerance and inequity.  Consequently, many Americans of Arab descent have had to deal with discriminatory regulations and various forms of intolerance,” Fadlallah said. 

She says there is a sense of urgency for Arab Americans to be actively engaged with civil rights groups or organizations that help foster new forums for discourse and advance movements towards equality and justice.  

“Arab American and all Americans should take notice of the fact that the struggle continues, as workplace discrimination; inequitable policies; threats and acts of violence against Arab Americans continue,” she said.