Organization honored as it honors others

DEARBORN — At its annual fund-raising gala Dec. 7, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee’s Michigan chapter received as many honors from government officials as it presented to activists and leaders. As it offered awards to six different people, the group accepted six certificates and proclamations, including Michigan’s Official State Seal presented by Governor Jennifer Granholm, in recognition of its efforts as an influential human and civil rights organization. About 1500 people attended the event at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. Clovis Maksoud, former chief representative of the League of Arab States to the United Nations, was recipient of ADC’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“We are in a moment in history when Arabs and Americans need to become much closer,” Maksoud said. “We live in America in order to enable the American people to know us better. The dynamics of Arab American relations will serve not only the U.S. and not only the Arab world, but it will serve humankind.” Executive director of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP, Heaster Wheeler, received the Guardian of Justice Award. After reciting the famous Rev. Martin Niemöller quote “First they came for the Jews…,” Wheeler spoke about common ground in the different struggles that Arab, Hispanic and African Americans face. “What’s good for Arab Americans is good for all Americans. We need all of you to speak out… We fight until we win.” An international singer-songwriter was also honored at the event with an Excellence in the Arts Award. Chantal Chamandy, a Canadian of Lebanese and Greek descent who was born in Egypt, recently performed in Egypt with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra. The show is set to be broadcast on PBS in March 2008. She sent a video message to the event. Other awardees included domestic violence victims advocate Dr. Hoda Amine, Arab Women Goodwill Ambassador for the U.N. Kawthar Abdulla Al Jouan and CVS Corporation, recognized for the company’s commitment to diversity. The event raised about $300,000 for ADC’s operating expenses and for the planned opening of the American Arab Center for Civil and Human Rights in late 2008. ADC Regional Director Imad Hamad said that funding for the center seems secure, but that he worries about a lack of money to sustain the organization’s daily operations. National ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said at the fundraiser that corporations, businesses and unions have offered their support for ADC and the center, and that “now we need the Arab Americans to step up to the plate.”