ACC President and CEO Haifa Fakhoury with Keynote Speaker Huwaida Arraf.

DETROIT — At the Arab American and Chaldean Council’s (ACC) 37th annual Civic and Humanitarian Awards Gala, keynote speaker and honoree Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian American human rights activist and co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, delivered an emotional speech urging local residents to assist in any way they can in the Syrian refugee plight. 

Arraf, who has personally traveled to the region to assist families in need, described the struggle of thousands of families who attempted to flee Syria but were eventually lost at sea. These families attempted to flee the region at the hands of schemers looking to make a quick buck. 

“It is a terrifying journey that they make,” she said. “One that I cannot fathom. It is cold. You have crying children and you don’t know if your boat is going to make it. And many people do not make it.”

The ACC is a non-profit human service organization that provides services to Middle Eastern and mainstream communities in Southeast Michigan. The gala, which had a powerful emphasis on the Syrian refugee crisis, took place Saturday, September 17 at the Detroit Marriot at the Renaissance Center.

Guests included national and state political leaders; members of the judiciary and individuals from corporate, educational institutions and foundations. Funds raised for the event through sponsorships, contributions and ticket sales will benefit ACC’s educational and refugee initiatives.

The Master of Ceremonies was WXYZ reporter Nima Shaffe, an Iranian-American.

Arraf cited data stating that around this time in 2015, 2,788 Syrian refugees had perished at sea. This year, the numbers are even worse. The International Organization of Migration is reporting that 3,212 Syrians have already gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea. 

“That is shameful,” Arraf said. “We know what’s happening. We know that these refugees are forced to get on these boats that cannot carry them. They are forced to pay their life savings to smugglers who put them on these boats that are overcrowded, in the middle of the night, and push them into the sea.” 

Arraf noted that there should be concentrated efforts from neighboring countries to assist refugees through ferries, but such efforts have not yet materialized. She also questioned the next step for the refugee families if they were to make it safely.

Arraf said that while Germany, Turkey and Jordan have taken in millions of Syrian refugees, the Arab gulf states have completely neglected to assist. She also noted that the U.S. has made mediocre efforts, at best.

“Thirty-one governors have stated that they will not allow Syrian refugees into their states,” she said. “This is what we are doing to people that are not just refugees. They are people just like you and me. They have been thrown into this situation. They have been forced into a situation that I hope none of us have to make, where you either stay in your country and risk dying…or you take to the sea that you know is deadly, but maybe you have a chance to make it.”

Arraf was honored with a humanitarian award, one she dedicated to all the survivors of war and the volunteers who have stepped up to provide them with aid.

Other award recipients included Troy Mayor Dane Slater, who was given the City Leadership Award for establishing a welcoming environment for immigrants. Troy now stands as the city with the most foreign-born residents per capita, even surpassing Dearborn.

“We used to be a destination city because of our residents and businesses and our education and safe city,” Slater said. “But today, we are a destination city because of our diversity. And I couldn’t be more proud to be asked to be the leader of our city and welcome everyone to our city.”

Other honorees included Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Mike Zimmer, who received the State Leadership Award, and Faye Nelson, chairwoman of the DTE Energy Foundation, who received the Community Leadership Award. Also honored were Sue Brueckman, chief of staff for Huntington Bank and Plastipak CEO William C. Young. 

ACC President and CEO Haifa Fakhouri  thanked guests and sponsors at the end of the ceremony.

“I want to thank you all, but I would like to thank our keynote speaker for what she said about the Syrian kids,” Fakhouri said. “We are saddened to see more and more refugees coming to our state here, but we are a human agency and we welcome all of them.”