Linda Sarsour speaking at the dinner – MMCC

LIVONIA — The Michigan Muslim Community Council highlighted the diversity of the state’s Muslims and stressed the importance of unity at its 29th annual banquet.

Muslims of multiple sects and ethnicities, interfaith leaders and community activists attended the sold-out event at Burton Manor, on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Linda Sarsour, director of the Arab American Association of New York, delivered the keynote speech at the event.

Sarsour urged Muslim Americans to empower each other, saying that other ethnic and religious groups have faced challenges in the past but overcame them with courage.

“So, never tell your children to ‘be careful,'” she said. “Tell them that their faith tells them to speak the truth, stand up and be courageous, because we need that strength in generations to come.”

The MMCC thanked Sarsour for addressing the banquet.

“Linda Sarsour was a great success in bringing together many people who are improving our communities,” the organization said in a statement.

Shaykh Mohamed Almasmari of the Muslim Unity Center said, according to Islam’s teachings, Moses had an army that could have defeated the Pharaoh but opted to leave Egypt instead of fighting.

“Success is not to be victorious,” Almasmari said. “Success is to invest in human beings.”

The MMCC presented the Fairness in Media Award to Carol Cain, host of Michigan Matters on CBS Detroit; the Interfaith Partner Award to Jim Tuman, director of Jimmy’s Kids, a charity that takes care of disadvantaged children and the Sayed Salman Community Service Award to Islamic Relief USA, a national Islamic nonprofit.

MMCC chairperson Muzammil Ahmed said the yearly banquet is an opportunity to celebrate the great assets of the community and that more than 700 people attended the event.

“The MMCC’s main purpose is to unify the diverse Muslim community in this area and help them promote the best Muslim and American values to make Michigan a better place,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed, a physician, said the MMCC is non-sectarian and includes Muslims of different traditions, ethnic backgrounds and national origins. 

The MMCC organizes the Michigan Muslim Capitol Day in Lansing, where Muslim activists meet state legislators. In January, the MMCC and Islamic Relief USA donated $100,000 to aid with the Detroit water crisis and prevent shutoffs for residents. 

Ahmed said the organization also holds seminars to train activists and youth directors.