DEARBORN-On Monday evening, hundreds of local Arab American leaders, businessmen and dignitaries gathered at Byblos Banquet Hall to support Wayne County Sherriff Benny Napoleon in his race for mayor of the City of Detroit.
Guests packed the fundraising event, which included a 20-minute video, showcasing the support of local Arab Americans for Napoleon and acknowledging his close ties to the community, along with his effective leadership within the Sheriff’s Department, which he has led since his election in 2009.
Born and raised in Detroit, Napoleon, 56, graduated from Detroit Mercy in 1982 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, before receiving his Juris Doctor Degree from Detroit College of Law, now Michigan State, in 1986. From 1998-2001, Napoleon served as Police Chief of the City of Detroit, under the leadership of Mayor Dennis Archer. From 2004-2009, he served as the Wayne County Assistant Executive, before his run for Wayne County Sheriff. In 2012, he was re-elected for a second term.
Detroit’s dwindling economy and increasing crime rates were a focal point of discussion during the event. In the video presentation, local Arab American business owners discussed the importance of the viability of Detroit’s economy and the impact that it has on its surrounding cities, including within the Arab American community itself, which includes many businesses owners in the City.

Napoleon takes the stage at Byblos Banquet Hall surrounded by local Arab American leaders who are supporting his bid for Detroit City Mayor.

Members of the community who appeared in the video to thank Napoleon for his support to the Arab American and business communities included: Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani, Deputy Director of Homeland Security for Wayne County Samer Jaafar, American-Arab Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Fay Beydoun, Arab-American Civil Rights League Chairman Nabih Ayad, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee-Michigan Regional Director Imad Hamad, Chief Executive Officer of Energy International Corporation Ned Fawaz and Islamic Center of America Religious Leader Imam Sayed Hassan Al Qazwini.
Others who attended the fundraiser included Dearborn City Council candidates Susan Dabaja, Mike Sareini and Tarek Baydoun, 20th District Court Judge David Turfe, Consul General of Lebanon Bilal Kabalan and HYPE Athletics CEO Ali Sayed.
Many of these leaders also acknowledged Napoleon’s close ties with Wayne County Deputy Chief Mike Jaafar, who was appointed by Napoleon in 2010. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department stepped up to the frontline, under Napoleon and Jaafar’s leadership, during several critical occasions, when the Arab American community was under attack.  One of these instances included the 2012 Arab International Festival, where a Christian Evangelist group, known as the Bible Believers, protested against Islam on festival grounds.

Wayne County Deputy Chief Mike Jaafar speaks to the audience about the community’s continued support towards the department.

During the fundraiser, Jaafar gave a speech, thanking the community for supporting the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department through thick and thin, before asking them to support Napoleon’s bid for Detroit Mayor. Jaafar spoke directly to Napoleon, telling him that many believe he would be most fit as the Mayor of Detroit.
“The feedback from all of you tonight is what motivates us to keep moving forward and making a difference. The Sheriff has a phenomenal team and it’s really what motivates us. It never ceases to amaze me how you guys and gals always step up to the plate in good times and in bad,” Jaafar told guests. “Sheriff, there are believers who believe in the work that you do and the leadership that you demonstrate. Whenever we need an answer, you are there.  It is obvious by the overwhelming and unconditional support that you have received in this room that we have filled today,” Jaafar told Napoleon.
Afterwards, Napoleon took the stage to thank guests for supporting his bid for Mayor and spoke directly to Arab American business owners. Napoleon said that the Arab American business community is one of the only communities that didn’t pick up and flee when times got tough.
“This is a very difficult time for the City of Detroit. The issues that we have in this City are so severe…but I want you to continue to throw your businesses into this community. If you look at the community I grew up in, it’s very different from the community of today. Many, many business owners have left our community, but you have stuck with us and have provided great service to our community, and I want you to know I appreciate that. We look forward to growing these businesses in a secure, livable, walk able City of Detroit,” Napoleon told guests, who responded with a round of applause.
Napoleon’s bid for Mayor will not go unchallenged.  Former President and CEO of the Detroit Medical Center, Mike Duggan, is also running and is considered a top candidate, along with Napoleon. Duggan had attempted to rally Arab American support in March at Byblos, but his reception was not as well attended as Napoleon’s.  The two are expected to compete in the upcoming Primary on August 6, along with other candidates, which include State Representative Fred Durhal, Jr., Attorney Kristal Crittendon and Former State Representative Lisa Howze.