DEARBORN — On Wednesday, March 26, community leaders and government officials gathered at the Lebanese American Heritage Club to hold the first public BRIDGES meeting of 2014.
Building Respect in Diverse Groups to Enhance Sensitivity (BRIDGES) was formed shortly after 9/11, in an effort to gather government agencies and local leaders to address backlash against the Arab American and Middle Eastern communities in southeast Michigan.
Currently serving as co-chair of BRIDGES on behalf of the government is Supervisory Federal Air Marshal Patricia Fantazian.
Last year, however, the organization had to make some internal changes after longtime Community Co-Chair Imad Hamad stepped down from his position. Hamad was the former director of the American Arab Anti Discriminaition Committee (ADC). In February, Attorney and Arab American Political Action Committee Vice President Ali Hammoud was selected to fill the vacant seat, after 13 steering committee members met and voted on the position in accordance with newly adopted bylaws. The group also adopted a new rule which would see newly elected co-chairs every year .
Dr. Yahya Basha of BASHA Diagnostics was named co-chair-elect of the group and filled in for Hammoud during the meeting on Wednesday. Hammoud and his wife welcomed a newborn the evening before the meeting, making it difficult for him to attend his first meeting as co-char.
Over 21 organizations, including the Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL), Council on American Islamic Relation of Michigan, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ADC, sent representatives to briefly discuss current issues concerning the local community.
Attorney Nabih Ayad, ACRL’s director, brought up concerns regarding Arab Americans who are put on “no fly” and “watch lists” by the U.S. government without explanation. His organization has started a hotline, 1-844-CANT-FLY, for Arab-Americans to call in and make reports if they feel they are victims of discrimination.
Newly appointed ADC-MI Director Fatina Abdrabboh also introduced herself to the organization, stating that ADC has been serving Arab Americans on a national basis for decades and that she wanted to direct focus to important issues in the community once again.
The group also welcomed FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Abbate, who attended his first BRIDGES meeting since he took charge of the FBI’s Detroit Office in October 2013. Also in attendance was Bushra Alawie, the community outreach specialist for the FBI.
Former BRIDGES co-chair Barbra McQuade stated that her involvement with the group has been benificial.
“We want to serve you, we want to understand how to do our jobs effectively and with sensitivity. I can tell you, being here has absolutely impacted how I do my job. I try to listen and understand your concerns, knowing that I’m going to be back here to be held accountable,” McQuade said.
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