Osama Siblani, Dibbie Dingell and Mayor Jack O’Reilly.

DEARBORN — The Dingells have had an unbreakable bond with the Arab and Muslim community here in Dearborn.

And that notion was displayed at U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell’s (D- Dearborn) fundraising event on Wednesday, March 30 at Byblos Banquets.

Titled “Arab Americans for Debbie Dingell”, the event, which included community members and city officials, is an effort to get an early start on funding for her re-election campaign. Dingell represents the 12th Congressional District.

Dingell’s husband, John, who was also her predecessor in Congress, was an honorary guest. John Dingell retired at the end of 2014 after becoming the longest serving congressman in history.

The Dingells have earned a solid reputation in the Arab and Muslim communities for representing their constituents in Washington D.C. 

Last week, the former congressman tweeted a message defending Dearborn’s Muslim community, following comments by Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz that called for surveillance in Muslim neighborhoods. 

John Dingell, who in the last year underwent a heart surgery, reflected on the long- standing relationship he and his wife have had with the Arab American community.

John Dingell.

“Certainly I have no friends finer or dearer or more precious than my friends in the Arab American community,” he said. “People great of heart and good of spirit. They are dear and wonderful and patriotic to their country. I am so proud of the way you have received Debbie and I.” 

As for Debbie Dingell, in the last year, the representative has been involved in numerous efforts pertaining to the Muslim community, including spearheading a discriminatory Visa Waiver Program policy change and publicly supporting the Iran nuclear agreement. 

The Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani told the crowd that Rep. Dingell has aggressively defended the Muslim community during times when no one else would. 

“Debbie has been there for us on every occasion,” Siblani said. “Regardless of how hard the situation was, she stood with us firmly against the rise of Islamophobia. She visited our mosques and organizations, frequently. She spoke out against the hate mongers and stood with us at the doors of City Hall when we rejected accusations that were leveled against our community.”

Debbie Dingell with Imam Qazwini.

Rep. Dingell took the podium at the end of the event to thank the crowd for contributing to her campaign. She noted that it’s been a while since she’s seen her husband in such positive spirits.

“If you would’ve seen the look on John Dingell’s face when he came in here,” she said. “John Dingell wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for many of you in this room. The smile you brought to his eyes tonight and the feeling of family that we both have when we are with you means more to us than you would ever know.” 

In an emotional speech, Rep. Dingell pledged that she would stand firmly behind the Muslim community, warning that the hate rhetoric in the presidential elections will only get worse. 

“I don’t think any of us thought that we would see the year that we are now witnessing,” Dingell said. “It’s not one presidential candidate; it’s two candidates, targeting a community simply based on faith and nationality. I certainly didn’t think we would see that in our lifetime.”

Dingell added that the city of Dearborn has to live in fear of attacks by both ISIS and Americans who have misconceptions of the community. She condemned the Visa Waiver Program that restricted the travel of Iraqi and Syrian nationals to the U.S. 

She has since attempted to amend the
policy.

“I never thought we would pass a bill in congress that would target people because of their nationality,” Dingell said. “It’s wrong and I’m not afraid to stand up for what’s right. We cannot let people divide us by fear.”