DEARBORN – The American Lebanese Center (ALC) honored compelling leaders for building bridges between communities for over 20 years during its first-ever awards dinner on May 30 at the Byblos Banquet Center in Dearborn.“It’s an opportunity to recognize people who have spent so much time and effort to improve the community. The least we can do is take time to recognize their efforts and hard work. We hope it serves as an example for others to lead in what they have done for the past 20 years,” ALC member Khalil Hashem said.ALC vice president Dr. Belal Abdallah said awardees are building bridges between Arab Americans from all Middle East countries and non-Arabs. “The community has expanded and is able to get along with other people in the community because of some of these leaders,” Abdallah said.Awardees are The Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani, Haji Mariam Bazzi, a local teacher, ADC Michigan Regional Director Imad Hamad , Haj Hussein Makled, co-founder of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn,  Harold Samhat, a prominent local businessman,  and Haj Mohamed Turfa, founder of Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn. A special tribute was also given in memory of the late political activist and former Wayne County Deputy Chief Jimmy Khalil on the evening.Keynote Speaker Dr. Clovis Maksoud, a professor of international relations at American University in Washington D.C. and an advisory member of the United Nations Development Program, criticized U.S. President Barack Obama for his handling of the settlement crisis in relation to Israel’s continued illegal building in the West Bank of Palestine.Maksoud said it needs to be examined in a legal and legitimate manner.  “It is not sufficient with due respect that the president of the United States asks for the freezing of settlements. Freezing of settlements acknowledges that there has been a right to settle. What is important is that we have to dismantle settlements so that the viable Palestine with its state capital in East Jerusalem can be achieved,” he said.Maksoud said that the WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant)  culture was dominant during the early twenties and thirties, but immigrant settlement in the U.S over decades has given rise to a new prevailing culture that includes much more diversity.  Maksoud said the Lebanese and Arab community should be proud of being part of the prevailing multicultural atmosphere.Michigan Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, U.S. Congressman John Conyers of Michigan, and Natalie Mosher, a candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives’ 11th Congressional district were among the distinguised guests who attended.Dillon told guests to take chances, believe in themselves and embrace diversity together.  Dillon believes there’s hope for Michigan’s future. “If we start reaching out to each other, we can turn it around,” he said.