DEARBORN — The Arab Student Union (ASU) of the University of Michigan-Dearborn held their 8th Annual Empowering the Youth Banquet at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center on Friday March 22 with keynote speaker Reverend David Alexander Bullock. 

Also in attendance among the 600 guests were Congressman John Dingell, Dearborn Board Trustee Hussein Berry, 19th District Court Judge Sam Salamey, U.S. State Representative Rashida Tlaib, and Dearborn City Council candidates  Tarek Baydoun and Susan Dabaja.

Bullock, a human and civil rights leader, is the pastor of the Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church of Highland Park. Recently he was elected chair of the new 13th Congressional District of the Michigan Democratic Party. During his time on stage, Bullock drew parallels between struggles faced by both African Americans and Arab Americans in U.S. history.

“I think about the struggles that we face in the United States of America. The fact of the matter is, if we look deep enough into our history and our heritage, we will find a history and heritage of struggle. We did not make it because there were no odds, we made it in spite of the odds. We made it because we were strong enough to overcome the obstacles, whether it be African American history, or Arab American history…we all can find a narrative of struggle,” Bullock told the crowd. 

ASU members gather for a photo with keynote speaker Bullock (fourth from left, kneeling) and Democratic activist William Isaac Robinson (second from left, kneeling). PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab

The program also focused on the 10 year anniversary of the U.S. invasion in Iraq. Off Campus Advisor and Former ASU President Rashid Baydoun gave a memorable speech regarding the illegal U.S. invasion into Iraq and how the country has been left to deteriorate post-war. 

“There has been no political contrition for the war’s false necessity, myopic approach, or inept management. We kept context out of the discussion, refused to exert wisdom over rhetoric, stripped the conflict down to catchphrases, and finally just stopped talking about it,” Rashid Baydoun stated.   

Later on in the evening, ASU also recognized local leaders during an award ceremony. Attorney Tarek Baydoun, who was a former president of the organization, received the Empowering the Youth award. During his time as president of ASU in 2004, the organization received the Outstanding Organization of the Year award by the university.

Judge Salamey also took the stage to accept the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award. Salamey’s victory last year was a milestone for the Arab American community, when he became the first elected Arab American judge in Dearborn. 

“I’m truly humbled and greatly honored for this kind recognition…no matter how hard one can work, and no matter how successful one individual is…true success can only be achieved through the collaborative efforts of so many. When that collective success is achieved, everyone can feels that he or she is successful, and that is the true success of communities and nature,” Salamey stated. 

Rachid Elabed received the Community Service Award. Elabed, the Civic Engagement & Field Coordinator of ACCESS and the NNAAC, has helped mobilize the youth in previous years through community service, civic engagement and advocacy. Other recipients during the ceremony included; Dr. Mahir Elder, who received the PrintXpress Patron of the Year Award, Ms. Hiam Gosaynie, who received the Scholar of the Year Award, UMD Advisor Jon Larson, who received the Building Bridges Award, and Bullock, who came back on stage to accept his Champion of Justice Award.

Zahra M. Dabaja, who became ASU president in January,  says she was very pleased with the event, continuing a yearly tradition for the organization.

“Overall, I think it was a great turnout. I am very happy for what ASU has done, as they have forever changed and transformed how the youth is perceived in the community. We stand down on any stereotypes and represent the Arab community in a positive way. I want to thank the community for their attendance and continued support,” Dabaja said.