Beydoun.

DEARBORN — Abdul El-Sayed, Detroit’s health department director, is the son of an Egyptian immigrant who settled in Michigan in 1978. He used to buy meat from the father of Fayrouz Saad, the director of Detroit’s Immigrant Affairs department. Mallak Beydoun, director of Constituent Affairs for the city, was Saad’s classmate at Fordson High School. 

The three Arab Americans, separated by fewer than six degrees, were recently appointed to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration. They were honored Monday, Nov. 16 at a reception organized by ACCESS at the Arab American National Museum. 

“We want to share with you our pride and your pride,” ACCESS Executive Director Hassan Jaber told attendees.

In remarks to the audience, the appointees mentioned their efforts to impact and improve the city of Detroit. But El-Sayed said they can also address how Arabs and Muslims are viewed on a global scale.

In response to situations like the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut that can lead the public to label a particular group or religion as culprits, El-Sayed said, “the question that we have to ask ourselves is: What are we as individuals doing in this particular place to counteract that?” 

He added that Detroit gives them a “unique opportunity” to take action. Citing the area’s concentration of Arab Americans, El-Sayed said reshaping the narrative about their demographic is a task for everyone. 

Fayrouz Saad thanked the community for its support of her and the other appointees, which she said sets a good example.

“There’s so many others besides us who are working in these types of positions, across the city, across the state, across the country,” Saad said. “And it’s really important just to continue to develop our young talent.” 

Saad said her family and the community have continually motivated her, though she pursued a nontraditional career path.

“If you’re not a doctor, lawyer or engineer, no one knows what the hell you’re doing,” she joked. 

Saad outlined the goals of her office, which include bringing immigrant communities to Detroit and integrating those already in the city through economic development programs. 

That work is also a personal passion, as Saad’s family has owned a business in Eastern Market for 40 years. 

Saad said she spoke to the mayor about the success of immigrant communities and entrepreneurs in Metro Detroit. She urged him to harness that prosperity and bring it to the city.

“He listened to me and then hired me to do it,” Saad said. 

Population growth in the city is also among Saad’s priorities and refugee resettlement is one method to achieve that goal. 

“I know this weekend kind of seemed to set everything off,” Saad said, referencing the terrorist attacks last week that started a wave of anti-refugee sentiment. “But nevertheless, we’re continuing…to make Detroit a welcoming city and a welcoming environment for immigrants and refugees from all over the world.” 

Beydoun echoed Saad’s comments, saying that standing by principles leads to progress. 

“A win is a community win,” she said. “There’s no sides or egos or political agendas.”

Beydoun urged community members to support those serving in elected and other political positions. 

“Because when Fayrouz and Abdul decided to come home to help Mayor Duggan revitalize the city of Detroit, we must support them,” she said. “Because now, more than ever, we need to be a community that sticks together.”