DEARBORN – The Council on American-Islamic Relations-Michigan (CAIR-MI) celebrated its 10th anniversary at its annual banquet on Sunday, March 28, attracting about 1,000 people to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn, including renowned civil and human rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson as keynote speaker.

Civil and human rights activist Jesse Jackson speaks at CAIR-MI’s 10th annual banquet March 28 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn.

While Jackson expressed his support for contemporary Muslim issues in Detroit, such as the fight against profiling and support for an independent investigation into the death of Detroit imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah, he also talked about the importance of addressing other societal problems to make the world a more enlightened and tolerant place in general.
“Our quest as Americans is equal protection under the law – you can’t just fight for Islamic issues,” Jackson said in his speech

“A room can’t be saved if the house is on fire. But if you help work to put out the fire of the whole house, you’ll be able to save your room.”

Jackson, who founded the national RainbowPUSH Coalition (People United to Save Humanity), has also been vocal about uniting to stop home foreclosures, especially in the Detroit area, which he has visited multiple times in the past year to speak on the issue. He also spoke about the importance of the government funding education and stopping the proliferation of prisons, which often make money by filling their spaces with inmates.

Jackson said that it’s important to “change the frame” of society while acknowledging that the change can often be slow. But in the case of the civil rights movement for African Americans for example, staying the course eventually paid off.

CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid said he was happy to see Jackson address those broader issues to the predominantly Muslim crowd.

He also spoke about Abdullah with a personal plea to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who spoke at an Advocates and Leaders for Police and Community Trust banquet in November 2009 here, to investigate his death.

CAIR, whose stated mission is to”enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding,” also managed to raise more than $185,000 for its operations on the day thanks to the generous support of the crowd.

Michigan Congressman John Conyers, Jr. receives the Civil Rights Award from CAIR-MI officials. PHOTOS: Nafeh AbuNab/American Elite Studios

U.S. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan was presented with the Civil Rights Award; Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality President Ron Scott received the Peace and Justice Award; and Detroit Free Press Editorial Writer Jeff Gerritt was given the Excellence in Media Award.
Conyers has worked to combat hate crimes and racial profiling during his 40+ years in Congress while working to protect whistle blowers who report FBI wrongdoing. Conyers also has been supportive of CAIR’s quest for an independent investigation in the Abdullah death.

Scott’s organization works diligently to fight against police brutality and build communities of peace and justice where trust is present between officers and citizens.

Gerritt has written about issues involving urban decay, prisons, criminal justice, and transportation. He was also instrumental in calling for a patient and thorough investigation of the Abdullah case.

For more information on CAIR and its services, visit www.cairmichigan.org.