Bahrain’s ambassador to the U.S. Houda Nonoo, is expected in Detroit on Saturday, Oct. 17 to help the Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC) celebrate 30 years of service at its annual Civic and Humanitarian Awards Gala, 6 p.m. at the Detroit Marriott in the Renaissance Center.

Bahrain’s ambassador to the U.S. Houda Nonoo

“Ambassador Nonoo has worked to improve working conditions in factories, raise awareness of the rights of women and children, campaigned for family and domestic law, and raised awareness of the plight of domestic workers,” the group said in a release about the event.
“Through leadership, growth, responsibility, and commitment over the past three decades, ACC has grown to be the premier non-profit human service organization providing services to the Middle Eastern and mainstream communities in Southeast Michigan.”

ACC spokespeople said proceeds from the gala will benefit the group’s specialized refugee programs and services.

“Michigan has experienced a tremendous influx of refugees due to situations in the Middle East,” said ACC Program Advocate Kim Salem.

She said ACC is experiencing an overwhelming demand for refugee services.

Chuck Gaidica of WDIV Channel 4 News is to MC the event and awards are to be presented to six honorees, chosen based on “their leadership and dedication to rebuilding communities throughout Michigan.

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, Attorney General Mike Cox, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, businessman Manuel Moroun and ACC board member Walid Khalife are each to be awarded.

ACC is a non-profit human service organization with goals of “providing better opportunities to enable newcomers to adjust to their new environment,” serve as a “bridge of understanding” and to “maximize the skills, resources and expertise” of Southeast Michigan Middle Eastern and mainstream communities.

Visit www.myacc.org for more information.

For tickets to the gala call 248.559.1990.

ADC director appointed senior policy adviser at DHS

WASHINGTON — Kareem Shora, ADC National Executive Director, has been appointed a senior policy adviser at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Shora, who has been with ADC for 10 years, will be leaving as of October 23.

Kareem Shora

ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, “Without question, in the past decade Kareem helped our dedicated national board, staff, and grassroots chapters build ADC into one of the most effective and respected civil rights organizations in the country. Especially following 9/11, Kareem’s strategic leadership approach and ability at building partnerships and coalitions both with other organizations and communities as well as with federal agencies, gave ADC an edge in standing up as a strong and consistent voice for civil and human rights. Personally, I will miss his wise counsel, calm demeanor, and sense of dedication and responsibility. Thank you Kareem for your outstanding leadership and commitment to ADC and the community. Kareem’s appointment as Senior Policy Adviser with DHS is yet another feather in ADC’s cap of ever-growing achievements and success.”
Kareem Shora said, “I am honored to have served the noble cause of such a great organization as ADC. Every day for the past ten years, I saw the increased effectiveness of ADC thanks to its dedicated team of staff, board members, and volunteer grassroots leaders. It is an organization that each American should be proud of as it stands up for the very definitions which have made this country so great. While we have achieved many victories during my tenure with ADC, we continue to face many more challenges that require our collective support for ADC and its great work. Although I am leaving ADC, I will maintain my involvement with the organization in my personal capacity and hope to use the knowledge and experience I gained over the past decade in my new role with the Department of Homeland Security.”

Arab American to head Rockefeller Fund Program

DEARBORN – Taleb Salhab, director of the National Network for Arab American Communities at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), has stepped down from his position to take a new job in New York City.

Taleb Salhab

Salhab will head the Rockefeller Brothers Fund Program and his duties will include managing its development and direction as well as refining its goals and strategies.
ACCESS said in a press release that it is sorry to see Salhab go but added that it is grateful for his 15 years of service.

“Taleb’s leadership has been instrumental in expanding NNAAC from nine groups to 21 members in 11 states,” said ACCESS Executive Director Hassan Jaber. “He has helped those organizations empower their communities and build a foundation for a stronger future, not only within the Arab community, but within the U.S.”

Arab engineers to hold annual dinner

The Arab American Engineers & Architects Association will hold its 2009 Annual Banquet on Friday, November 6, 2009 at Farmington Hills Manor in Farmington Hills.

The featured speaker for evening, which begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and includes dinner and entertainment, will be Dr. Mumtaz Usmen, the Interim Dean of the Wayne State College of Engineering.

Tickets for members and guests are $50 per person while student tickets are $25 each. Checks should be addressed to AAEA and sponsors can call 248.844.5404 for info.

RSVP’s should be e-mailed to ssaif@sda-eng.com or faxed to 248.844.5404 with “Attention Sermed K. Saif, PE” as the heading.

Farmington Hills Manor is located at 23666 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills.