DEARBORN — The Yemeni American Benevolent Association (YABA) celebrated 41 years of service at its annual dinner on Saturday September 25 at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn. Guests included a number of community leaders and governmental officials who could attest to YABA’s spirit of service.

The association was established in 1969 in the south of Dearborn with an aim to provide social, cultural, educational and human services for their community. But their services do not end with the Yemeni or Arabic community, as Mayor O’Reilly stated.

“We are one community and as one community we have to support one another and Y.A.B.A. is an example of the community coming together to  support its own,” said Mayor O’Reilly. “What I appreciate is while The Yemeni American Benevolent Association really does try to provide direct service to the community that is it’s primary service, it is engaged and active as a member of our greater community. They bring your voice to the table.”

The dinner featured speakers such as  Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly and Fouad A. Ashkar, Manager of Ethnic Marketing for DTE Energy, and a keynote address by State Representative Rashida Tlaib.

“I’m a proud second-generation Yemeni American,” said Omar Almasmari, son of the owner of FRD Pharmacy in Dearborn,” and this association makes me proud of what I am today.”

President of YABA Fahd Saleh said it was his dream come true to be able to serve his community, and with new board members, all of whom are younger than the organization itself, they have a lot to accomplish to continue their legacy of service to the community.

“We will continue to service our community by building bridges and forming solid relationship with other in our community and organizations,” said Saleh. “We need to focus on what’s good for our community as a whole, and this wont happen unless we come together and have solid relationships.”

Saleh has continued this history of service, as U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan’s office presented President Fahd Saleh with a certificate of congressional recognition for YABA and their 41 years of service to the community.

Keynote Speaker State House Representative Rashida Tlaib, recounted YABA’s executive direction Ali Baleed Almaklani’s reaction to her running for State Representative.

“You get people asking ‘Do you think you can win?” then you get folks like Ali Baleed who said ‘I’m proud of you…that is the essence of Ali Baleed.” She credits him and YABA with connecting her to the Yemeni community in Southwest Detroit.

YABA presented awards to those whose work in the community stood out.  Ronald Haddad, Dearborn Chief of Police, Ahmed Mohamed Gawali, Former YABA President, Ramiah Ali Qasem, YABA board member, Adel Alsoofi, YABA Executive member, and Mohsen Ali Saeed, a YABA member, all received awards from the organization.

“I encourage other organizations and community leaders to engage the new board and work with us to better our community,” said Executive Direction Ali Baleed Almaklani. “This is an exciting year for YABA and I am confident the changes made within the organization will help shape the future of YABA.”