Nabih Ayad

DETROIT — Nabih Ayad, an attorney and chairman of the Arab American Civil Rights League,  has been appointed to serve on the Wayne County Airport Authority Board of Directors.

Ayad was appointed to a six-year term by Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. The Wayne County Airport Authority consists of seven independent board members. Four members are appointed by the county executive; two members are appointed by the governor and one member is appointed by the Wayne County Commission. The Wayne County Airport Authority was established in 2002 and is responsible for the management and operation of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Willow Run Airport.

Ayad said one issue he will focus on as a board member is addressing the problems immigrants and the Arab American community face at airports including with security and law enforcement officials.

Over the years Arab and Muslim Americans have complained about being profiled while going through security at the airport.

Many have been prevented from taking flights because they were placed on the U.S. No Fly List.

The ACRL managed to get a 54-year-old paralyzed Arab American man named Jamal Rizk from Dearborn Heights, who had no criminal background off the list. Rizk was prevented from flying to Lebanon for medical treatment.

Ayad’s understanding and experience of dealing with security issues will benefit the community and airport.

 “Metro Detroit has the largest concentration of Arabs and Muslims in the country, and this is certainly a big issue for it,” he said. “I look forward to this endeavor and addressing the needs of people in our community.”

Ayad said the appointment came as a surprise. He was contacted and told that he would be a suitable candidate for the position.