State Rep.?George Darany (D-Dearborn) presented a plaque of House Resolution No. 50 extending Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr greetings to Muslims in Michigan and across the world at the annual iftar. PHOTOS:?Nafeh AbuNab/American Elite Studios

DEARBORN – Mayor Jack O’Reilly hosted an iftar at Byblos Banquets as about 400 local community members, religious, and political leaders joined in the traditional Ramadan fast-breaking dinner on Tuesday, August 9. 

Lebanese American Heritage Club President Sam Salamey officially announced that the dinner is now an annual tradition in the city before welcoming guests. 

Salamey said that the city has come a long way from a time when the Arab and Muslim population of the city was not treated well in the mid-80’s to the current climate of tolerance and respect exhibited by city officials. O’Reilly also spoke on the issue.

“The past is important because it informs us but it shouldn’t control us,” he said. “What we have to do is look forward as a community, it’s important for us to recognize that.

“We don’t want everyone to do the same thing, as humans that’s not how we behave but we want to respect our neighbors and that’s what this is all about.”

He noted that Muslims within the city have attended Christmas sing-a-longs and Easter egg hunts as gestures of mutual respect similar to the iftar event.

“It’s not so much about religion but about community and how we respect each other and how we feel about each other,” he said. 

“Ramadan is a time of reflection, purification and good deeds, a time that is similar in my religion to Lent where we all reflect on God’s generosity.” 

O’Reilly was also invited to the White House’s annual iftar but decided to stay in order to host his own event and also to help receive more than 500 journalists at the Asian American Journalists Association’s 2011 convention opening reception at the Arab American National Museum on Wednesday, Aug. 10. 

 Among the dignitaries in attendance were U.S. Congressman John Conyers (D-Detroit), U.S. Congressman John Dingell (D-Dearborn), his wife Debbie, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Dearborn Schools Superintendent Brian Whiston, School Board President James Schoolmaster, Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad and more. 

Michigan House Resolution No. 50, which officially extends warmest wishes to Muslims in Michigan and across the world for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr was also presented at the event. The resolution was adopted on March 23 and offered by 13 state reps including George Darany (D-Dearborn), Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), Bob Constan (D-Dearborn Heights) and more. 

O’Reilly thanked former state rep. Gino Polidori (D-Dearborn) for starting the tradition of passing the resolution each year as well.