AAPAC members and community leaders gather at the podium.

DEARBORN — ‘Community’ was the focal point of the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC)’s 19th annual banquet dinner on Wednesday, October 26 at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center. 

Hundreds of community leaders, elected officials, and professionals gathered to support, celebrate and recognize the candidates AAPAC endorsed as well as the leaders it recognized and awarded.

The ‘Community Comes First’ message was highlighted by AAPAC President Mona Fadlallah, who gave a speech explaining the rigorous process members of the organization endured to endorse the best and most qualified candidates for local, county and state races–all for the sake of the community. 

“We volunteer our time and do all this for the community that we are a part of,” Fadlallah said. “At times it’s not a simple task to select candidates, given the numerous issues that are of concern to community members. But AAPAC’s objective is and always has been to advance the interest of the community.”

Keynote Speaker Lt. Governor Brian Calley.

Since its establishment in 1998, AAPAC has consisted of Arab American professionals and civic leaders who organize and encourage the political activities of Arab Americans regardless of party affiliation. Every election cycle, the organization endorses candidates based on their history and his or her stand on issues important to the Arab American community.  It also encourages voter turnout at the polls.

Dearborn School Board Trustee and AAPAC co-chair of the endorsement committee Mariam Bazzi, took the podium to explain that AAPAC was unable to make an endorsement in all the races because the candidates may have not garnered two-thirds of the membership support, or the candidates may have not asked for an endorsement. 

She encouraged voters to still cast a vote regardless, but to research the candidates before they make a decision.

“For the races we have not endorsed or the ones that have more seats open than endorsed individuals, we encourage voters to do their research,” Bazzi said. “Look at the material and make sure you are picking is the most qualified person for that seat.”

For this year’s election, AAPAC also made a presidential endorsement. The organization voted to endorse Hillary Clinton for president.

City Councilman Mike Sareini accepts his award.

AAPAC Member Fayrouz Saad, Director of Immigrant Affairs for the City of Detroit, introduced guest speaker Ambassador Ed Gabriel. Saad said that she had initially reached out to the ambassador when she discovered he was an advisor for national outreach on Clinton’s campaign, and she has been working vigorously with him to ensure a large community turnout to the polls.

During his speech, Gabriel said that he has worked with Clinton and believes she is fit to be president, highlighting that he’s traveled with her throughout the Middle East and witnessed her in action. 

“I can tell you, we are very lucky to have someone as confident and so ready for this job as Hillary Clinton,” Gabriel said. “If we are really going to make progress in the Middle East and bring people at home together with domestic affairs, it comes down to a real basic need for people to have trust and confidence in a leader.” 

The Keynote Speaker of the event, Lt. Governor Brian Calley, addressed the community in a speech that highlighted Michigan’s economical turnaround.

Calley said that 475,000 new private sector jobs have been created in the state, which in turn has caused a noticeable income growth.

“We’ve been on this comeback for the last several years,” Calley said. “The statistics that we follow approach much better places that comes close to our potential.”

State Senator Dave Knezek with his parents after receiving an award from AAPAC.

However, Calley said that there are certain groups in the state’s population that never seem to benefit from a thriving economy. Calley called for the state to assist three groups in particular­––people with disabilities, former substance abuse addicts, and former convicted felons who have served their time and are ready for a new start. 

“There are certain parts of our population that don’t seem to benefit from that,” Calley said. “We’ve got to be careful to ensure that we don’t leave people behind, and that we take extra care to create the type of environment where everybody can be successful.” 

During the ceremony, a moment of silence was given to the late State Rep of the 11th District Julie Plawecki, who passed away in June from a heart attack. 

AAPAC awarded six individuals and organizations for their public service and dedication to the community.

First up was City Councilman Mike Sareini, who received an award for his trailblazing efforts on the council and his unwavering community service. On the council he often addresses the concerns of the Arab community and advocates on behalf of policies that are fair, balanced and just. He continues to do this despite being outnumbered by the majority of the council on these issues in the decision making process.

State Senator Dave Knezek of Michigan’s 5th District, was also recognized for his dedication and outreach to the Muslim and Arab community. Knezek, who grew up in Dearborn Heights and attended Crestwood High School, voluntarily fasted for the thirty days of Ramadan this year to show solidarity to the community and dispel misconceptions about the faith. He has shown through his service, first as a State Representative and then as a Senator, that he is willing and ready to fight for the matters that mean most to his constituents.

Mike Jaafar, Chief of Operations at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, was also recognized with a community service award. He has spent two decades in law enforcement, first as a Detroit Police officer in the 90s and then he moved over to Wayne County, where he became Deputy Chief prior to his promotion this year. He was recognized for his continued efforts, which have gone above and beyond in helping provide safety and security to the community whenever the need arises.

Westland Mayor Bill Wild was recognized for defending Dearborn’s Muslim community when it was being misrepresented on TV. ABC’s “Designated Survivor” depicted the city as a population of radicalized Muslims. Wild published an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press debunking the misconception about the community.

The AANews publisher Osama Siblani told the crowd that Wild was the only elected official to speak out about the program. 

“He was the only politician that stood against ‘Designated Survivor’,” Siblani said. “It depicted Arabs and Muslims in a very bad way. We wish the governor would’ve done it. We wish the Mayor of Dearborn would’ve done it, or even other officials in this city. But I wanted to thank Bill, on behalf of this community.”  

The League of Women Voters (LWV), Dearborn – Dearborn Heights was also recognized for their efforts in informing residents about local election races from a non-partisan standpoint. There to accept the award was President Betsy Cushman.

WDIV, Channel 4, was also honored and accepted an award during the reception and prior to the program beginning. It was recognized for its “Arab in America” news series which helped introduce the public to the everyday life of Arab Americans and hopefully dispel myths and stereotypes along the way. Anchorwoman Sandra Ali accepted the award on behalf of the station.

AAPAC’s endorsement newsletter, printed in both English and Arabic, has already been distributed to thousands of households. On November 8, the organization will also have volunteers handing out its slate to voters. 

For more information about the organization visit //www.aapac.org.