DEARBORN — An extraordinary number of events and conferences related to Arab Americans are scheduled in the Detroit area at the end of October and beginning of November.

The Arab American Institute’s National Leadership Conference, set for Oct. 25-28, at the Doubletree hotel in Dearborn, is expected to feature presidential candidates Ron Paul and Bill Richardson.

The weekend is also to include a series of workshops and training sessions on civic engagement, fundraising and getting out the vote.

Other lawmakers and presidential candidates are also expected to attend or send representatives.

Coinciding with the AAI conference will be the National Network for Arab American Communities 6th Annual Conference, also in Dearborn.

Events will include training and networking opportunities, and will culminate with a performance by the Um Koulthum National Orchestra of Egypt at the Detroit Opera House.

The performance is also a part of the Arab American National Museum’s 4th Annual Gala, also coinciding with the conferences, on Oct. 27.

Another Oct. 25-28 series of events is the 2nd Annual Engaging the Other Conference, at the Dearborn Inn Marriott.

Intended to explore the concept of “the other” to promote dialogue about images of “us and them,” the event will feature more than 65 professors, journalists, mystics, attorneys and other experts presenting of a diverse array of lectures and exhibits.

The conference is sponsored by the Common Bond Institute.

At the University of Michigan-Dearborn on Oct. 25, 2007, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Arab Detroit will host “Images and Perceptions of Arab Americans.”

The event is a cultural education workshop featuring well-known actress Kathy Najimy, media critic Jack Shaheen, and Columbia University professor George Saliba as main speakers.

Also on Oct. 25, representatives of the U.S. State Department—ambassadors and other senior-level members—are scheduled to come to Dearborn for Diversity Career Networking Night at the Doubletree Hotel.

From 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., representatives will speak to those seeking foreign service opportunities in Management Affairs, Consular Affairs, Economic Affairs, Political Affairs, or Public Diplomacy.

The effort is aimed at recruiting Arab Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and other people of color.

A free Arab American Health Fair is scheduled for Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

at the Fairlane Henry Ford Health System in Dearborn.

Hosted by the National Arab American Medical Society (NAAMA), the event will provide blood sugar, cholesterol, bone density, blood pressure and vision screenings.

Information on diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, cataracts, breast cancer, mammograms and prostate cancer will also be available.

The 3rd Annual Arab Film Festival in the AANM Auditorium is scheduled for November 2-4, featuring movies from Arab America and the Arab World.

Titles include “West Bank Story,” “Driving to Zigzigland,” “Heavy Metal Drummer,” “Le Grand Voyage,” “Make a Wish/Itmanna, Ahlaam,” “These Girls/El-Banate Dol, Dunia,” “Thank You” and “Under the Ceiling.”

The festival will also include participatory panel discussions.

The Arab American Political Action Committee’s 10th Annual Banquet is scheduled for November 2, at 6:30 pm, at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center. Several local and national leaders are expected to attend and accept public service awards.

Past AAPAC banquets have included various national and state senators and congressmen as speakers.

Last year’s event attracted an audience of more than 600.

For more information on any of these events, see The Arab American News’ Events Calendar on main page.