DEARBORN — Huma Abedin, vice chair for the Hillary for America campaign, met with Arab and Muslim American leaders on Aug. 11, to discuss issues that matter to the community.

Community representatives included heads of organizations, small business owners, doctors, lawyers and other professions. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) and the retired dean of Congress, John Dingell, were also present at the discussion at Habib’s Cuisine.

Abedin was joined by Farooq Mitha, national director of Muslim Outreach for Hillary for America.

Abedin praised the Muslim and Arab American communities for their political engagement. She highlighted the contrasts between Clinton and Trump.

She said the Republican nominee uses divisive and inflammatory rhetoric against Muslims to divide our country, while Clinton embraces the values and contributions immigrants make to our country.

Abedin praised the patriotism and heroism of Muslims across the country, including the Khan family, a Muslim Gold Star family whose son, Captain Humayun Khan, was killed in Iraq while protecting his fellow service members.

Abedin also discussed ways to strengthen communities, including making college more affordable, ensuring small businesses have the resources and support needed to succeed and building an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.

Abedin answered individual questions from the audience.