DEARBORN — The Islamic Center of America raised nearly $200,000 Sunday, Nov. 11 at its semi-annual fundraising dinner.  There were about 900 people at the ceremony, which included an awards presentation. 

The fundraiser comes after the ICA celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in May with a black tie themed gala.  Since the ICA’s inception more than half a century ago the community has maintained commitment to supporting the institution through generous financial contributions. 

ICA Executive Administrator, Kassem Allie says many of the ICA’s donors have been supporting the Center for decades. “We’re now being supported by second and third generation donors,” Allie said. 

He says moving forward the ICA will continue its commitment to serving the community, underprivileged families and expand its mission of providing educational services to students. Allie says the ICA’s Muslim American Youth Academy and Saturday Arabic school both serve close to 1,000 students a week. 

Second from the left, community activist Ahmad Bajjey, a retired Dearborn fireman and Dr. Sally Howell, assistant professor of history at the University of Michigan Dearborn after receiving their awards.

The Imam Chirri Commitment to Excellence Award was presented to community activist Ahmad Bajjey, a retired Dearborn fireman and Dr. Sally Howell, assistant professor of history at the University of Michigan Dearborn.  Imam Mohamad Jawad Chirri was the original spiritual leader and founding member of the ICA. Both Howell and Bajjey have made great contributions to the community.  Howell was a major contributor to the book, ‘Arab Detroit 9/11: Life in the Terror Decade.’  It chronicles challenges Arab Americans in metro Detroit faced following the tragic events of Sep. 11 including  heightened prejudice, government surveillance, and political scapegoating, while still enjoying political, economic and cultural influence. 

Howell has written other books on the history of the Muslim community in Michigan, which is reportedly the highest concentration in the United States. 

During the program Arab Americans who were candidates during the general election were acknowledged for the hard work and dedication they put towards their campaigns including Sam Salamey, newly elected judge for Dearborn’s 19th District Court; Dearborn Heights 20th District Court Judge David Turfe who managed to hold on to his seat; Brian Mosallam, who was elected as Michigan State University Trustee and Crestwood Board of Education candidates Zaineb Hussein and Hamid Soueidan who were not successful in their bids.  

Turfe, Mossallam and Salamey, all spoke at the event thanking the community for their support during their campaigns. 

The following individuals spoke at the event; Master of Ceremony, Ron Amen, ICA board of trustees member; ICA Chairman, Haj Jamal Dakroub; Dr. Majed Fadlallah, Chairman of the ICA Board of Education; Sayyid Hassan Qazwini, ICA religious leader; Haj Hassan Alawieh, Young Muslim Association and Dr. Haj Abdullah Harp, ICA Board of Trustees member.  A number of community leaders were also present including  Mr. Bilal Kabalan, the Consul General of Lebanon to Detroit .