Dave Abdallah is a trusted community leader who can improve Dearborn Heights

Arab Americans are growing in numbers and business power across Metro Detroit. Although many local Arabs are first-generation immigrants, our roots run deep here. Michigan is our home. 

To fortify our presence and safeguard our interests, we should engage in the democratic process by voting.

We encourage our readers to participate in the Nov. 3 municipal elections.

If there is not an election in your city, you can still participate by volunteering for campaigns in neighboring cities.

Qualified Arab Americans are vying for seats on the Dearborn Heights and Hamtramck city councils.

Arab Americans have contributed immensely to the neighborhoods, culture and finances of Dearborn Heights over the past two decades.

Ford Road between Telegraph and Inkster is now an exciting business district, with dozens of bakeries, grocery shops, restaurants, hookah bars and pharmacies, partly thanks to Arab American entrepreneurs. 

Real estate agent Dave Abdallah is running for the Dearborn Heights City Council.

You should show up to the polls and support him on Tuesday to ensure that the community has fair representation on the Council.

Abdallah is a trusted community leader whose experience can help improve services and benefit all residents.

In Hamtramck, the city’s large Yemeni American community is not represented on the City Council. Saad Almasmari, an energetic young activist, is trying to be the sole Arab American voice at City Hall.

The community should support him on Tuesday.

Municipal elections do not coincide with national or state-wide races this year. Turnout is expected to be low. The lines will be short and your vote can make a tangible difference.

City council and mayoral elections may not be as exciting as presidential races, but as the late Tip O’Neill, former speaker of the House of Representatives, said, “all politics is local.”

Changing Washington may be out of our reach. But in our own backyards, neighborhoods, schools and cities, we can have positive political influence. 

Our votes in each election increase the community’s impact on the political landscape of the region.