DEARBORN — The University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Arab Student Union held its ninth annual “Empowering the Youth” banquet Friday, Mar. 20 at Bint Jebail Cultural Center.

“I am incredibly proud of the Arab Student Union from all three chapters: University of Michigan-Dearborn, Fordson High School, and Wayne State University,” said ASU President Fareed Shalhout. “It was amazing to see 700 community members come together on a Friday night to acknowledge women leaders in our community who inspire the youth.”

The banquet featured a special tribute to Riad Shatila, the founder of Shatila Bakery, who passed away last year. 

Shatila’s family.

Two of Shatila’s daughters, Tanya and Nada spoke about the legacy he left behind, in addition to his contributions to the community. Shatila’s wife Zeinat was also present. 

“The tribute to the late Mr. Riad Shatila moved the audience by his family’s speech. His legacy will forever remain in the community,” said Shalhout.

The event centered around the evening’s three female speakers, Wayne County Circuit Judge Charlene Elder, State Representative Rashida Tlaib and Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja. 

The women discussed their experiences in becoming community leaders. Elder was appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2005 to serve as a judge for the Wayne County Third Circuit Court. She addressed the females in the crowd as she spoke about her achievement of becoming a judge, all while she was a wife and mother. 

Elder.

“It is not that our men are not talented, or that their not multitasking and doing all kinds of wonderful things, but I do think our struggle is a little harder as women,” Elder said. “We are often conflicted between our families and our careers and the ability to give both of those things 100 percent. As women and especially as Arab women, we are devoted daughters, wives, mothers, and sisters. We embrace those titles more than any other title in the world.”

Elder advised the crowd, “Be proud of where you came from, it’s your heritage and your roots. The Arab American community has so much to offer the world today.”

Tlaib.

State Rep. Rashida Tlaib was elected into the Michigan House of Representatives in 2008, making her the first female Muslim elected to the Michigan Legislature. 

Reflecting on the progress Arab Americans have made over the decades, Tlaib said, “Our Arab American community has come a long, long way.” She recalled when Ismael Ahmed, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Associate Provost of Metropolitan Impact at UM-D, had a hard time getting funding as the co-founder of ACCESS, one of the largest human service organizations in the state serving Arab Americans and the greater community. 

She encouraged the audience to never take no for an answer and to be ambitious. “I’m asking all of you to not wait your turn, and be courageous,” said Tlaib.

Dabaja.

Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja spoke about the importance of having a supportive family in her speech. She encouraged young females to pursue their endeavors in whatever they are passionate about. 

“What I want to tell our young females, if you are interested in pursuing a career or some sort of profession that you are very passionate about, there is nothing that should stop you. Not marriage, not the thoughts of having a family, or having a young family, you can do both,” said Dabaja. She encouraged Arab American women to have confidence, contentment and pride in what they accomplish.

ASU honored all three women with “Women Empowerment” awards, Hussein M. Dabaja with an “Empowering the Youth” award, and Mariam E. Charara with a “Community Service” award.

Myssa Saleh, a senior at Wayne State University, said “The keynote speakers all embodied what women power is all about. As for Susan’s speech, I felt like she gave such insight, that yes you can be a strong influential woman both in office and at home.”

Vice President of ASU, Zeinab Bazzi applauded the group for the outcome of the event. “We wanted a theme that would empower the crowd, and with the lineup of speakers I think we did just that. We are always grateful for the continued support of our surrounding communities because year after year, they show up in numbers and help us celebrate in showcasing the achievements,” she said.