DEARBORN — The Yemeni American Benevolent Association (YABA) celebrated 42 years of service at its annual dinner on Saturday, October 1st at the Bint Jebail Cultural Center in Dearborn. Guests included a number of community leaders and governmental officials who were there to show their support for the organization.

Among those in attendance was City of Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly, who gave a noteworthy speech about YABA’s ongoing success

“It’s very important when people come together as volunteers and decide that they are going to create the opportunity to give voice to different constituents in the community,”  O’Reilly stated in his speech. “YABA makes the environment for Yemenis in Dearborn a better one.”

Before O’Reilly had taken the stage, the dinner kicked off with opening remarks by Bassam Salem Ali, the English secretary of YABA, followed by remarks made by the current president of the organization, Fahd Saleh. 

“In the past two years, YABA has achieved many accomplishments, creating programs and field trips centered on our youth,” Saleh said in his speech. “Investing in our young students is important for our community growth,” he added.  

The association, which was established in 1969 in the south of Dearborn, aims to provide social, cultural, educational and human services for their community. The organization has also focused on promoting empowerment of people, environmental protection, and respect for cultural diversity. YABA awarded seven scholarships to deserving students at the event. 

The organization has perhaps best been known for their weekend Arabic school, where parents can register their children for just $20 per child to learn Arabic and Islamic studies on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 

Saleh himself was once a student at YABA’s weekend school only 13 years ago, and he expressed the importance of youth involvement.

“It is important to keep our children off the streets,” Saleh stated.  “Higher education will open many doors for these young men and women allowing them to pass on these teachings in the future.”

YABA then proceeded by awarding recipients who they felt made an impact on the community within the last year. Among these recipients was Representative John Conyers Jr. of the 14th Congressional District, which covers Highland Park and Hamtramck, an area heavily populated with  Yemeni-Americans.  

Other recipients included Dr. Dahan Alnajjar, who worked as a researcher at the Yemeni Center for Research and Studies; Rachid Elabed who is the civic engagement and field coordinator with ACCESS; and Fattum Mutahr who is the program development director for YABA. 

The event received gold sponsorships from DTE Energy and Dr. Sami Dabaja of FDR Pharmacy, who also gave remarks during the dinner. Also helping out with the event was ACCESS, Hamzeh Pharmacy and PharMor Pharmacy, all of whom contributed with Silver sponsorships.