DEARBORN — “Building Islam in Detroit: Foundations / Forms / Futures,” an academic exhibition that has toured the world, is being put on display by the Center for Arab American Studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

The exhibit opened Nov. 13.

“Building Islam in Detroit charts the growth of mosques and Muslim communities in greater Detroit over the last century,” said Sally Howell, one of the exhibit’s curators. “The exhibit presents the historical richness, diversity and influence of Islam in Detroit. Shaped by experiences of discrimination and opportunity, struggle and accomplishment, the building projects on display are the groundwork of a Muslim American future.”

The exhibit is on display through Dec. 11 at the Alfred Berkowitz Gallery on the third floor of the university’s Mardigian Library, 4901 Evergreen Road in Dearborn.

The project began in May 2004. A team of UM researchers visited over 50 mosques and Islamic associations, photographing and interviewing their founders and elders.

The records tell the history of Muslim arrival and settlement in Detroit, Howell said.

“Mosques are also works of art, where sacred words, images, and sounds combine to produce spaces of unusual beauty,” she said. “Most important of all, mosques are places where Muslims come together to worship and to strengthen their community through communal prayer.”

Visit www.umich.edu/~biid/ for more on the exhibit. Call 313.593.3592 for more information.

Author to speak on Palestine, Israel, U.S. empire

DETROIT — Richard Becker, author of the new book “Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire,” is coming to the Midwest as part of his national speaking tour.

Becker is a noted writer and commentator on Middle East affairs and has visited the Middle East on numerous occasions for conferences, fact-finding delegations and humanitarian relief missions. He is the Western Regional Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism).

“Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire,” provides a sharp analysis of historic and current events in the struggle for Palestine—from the division of the Middle East by Western powers and the Zionist settler movement, to the founding of Israel and its regional role as a watchdog for U.S. interests, to present-day conflicts and the prospects for a just resolution.

Becker will appear on Nov. 17 in Ann Arbor at 7:30 p.m. in room 1427 at Mason Hall at the University of Michigan.

He will appear Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. in the Law Classroom Building, room 1550 at Wayne State University in Detroit.

Another book signing will be at the ACCESS Community Center on Schaefer Rd. in Dearborn at 7 p.m.

For details and additional event listings, please email books@pslweb.org.

Amen named department head in Dearborn Heights

DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Dearborn Heights Mayor Dan Paletko has appointed Ron Amen, who is Arab American, as the city’s new Community & Economic Development Department director.

Ron Amen

Amen will replace former CEDD director Hassane Jamal, who has filed a lawsuit against Paletko and the city for allegedly discriminating against him as an Arab American in relieving him of his duties as a department head.
Paletko has adamantly denied the accusations, calling them hurtful and politically motivated.

Amen, of Livonia, currently serves as director of operations for the Arab American National Museum.

“I have been impressed with his active involvement in the community and his ability to get along with others,” said Paletko about Amen. “As a region and as a city, there are big challenges ahead of us and I believe Mr. Amen will be a good team member who will be able to offer innovative programming to make our commercial and residential areas stronger and more vibrant.

“Also, his previous position as an Executive Assistant to Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano will be helpful as the City of Dearborn Heights partners with Wayne County on various programs.

“As Mayor I was glad he agreed to join our team and I believe the City of Dearborn Heights will be better because of his efforts.”

County leaders to speak at chamber event

DEARBORN — The American Arab Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to hold its 17th annual Building Economic Bridges banquet on Friday, Nov. 20. 6 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton, 300 Town Center Drive in Dearborn.

HAP CEO Bill Aluin

HAP CEO Bill Aluin will keynote the event. Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Macomb County Board of Commissioners Chairman Paul Gieleghen are to discuss regional economic development at the event, chamber spokespeople said.
“Building Economic Bridges” awards are to be presented to DTE Energy and Detroit Contracting.

For more information, call 313.945.1700.

 

Michigan physicians celebrate three decades of service

By Nick  Meyer

DEARBORN — The National Arab American Medical Association held its Three Decades Celebration on November 7 at the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, honoring its past presidents and achievements before a full crowd of sponsors and dignitaries.

The historic event was so well-received that 150-200 guests had to be turned away from the doors and sponsors filled almost all of the available tables to support the organization, which brought in Ismael Ahmed, the director of the Michigan Department of Human Services and a co-founder of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, to be its keynote speaker.

NAAMA President Wassim Younes, who has been a member since 2003, talked about the state of the organization.

“Really, this organization has built one of the strongest Arab American medical networks in the country,” he said. “It extends from house professionals to physicians and recently even to other areas such as dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health.”

Younes also welcomed an important new member of the NAAMA team at the dinner.

“On behalf of NAAMA and as chapter president I welcome our new executive director Renee Ahee to the organization,” he said.

Younes said the group plans to host another event at a bigger venue next year as they continue to celebrate their upcoming 30th anniversary.

NAAMA’s main areas of focus continue to be professional and educational, charitable and humanitarian, and cultural enhancement for members and their families.

It is that family spirit of NAAMA that Younes believes sets it apart.

“I think NAAMA really is unique in allowing the families also to get to know each other very well on a personal level,” he said.

NAAMA has chapters in every state and its national office is located in Birmingham, Michigan. For more information, visit www.naamami.com.