American-Arab Center for Civil and Human Rights going up in Dearborn

The name of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's new building in Dearborn might read the "American-Arab Center for Civil and Human Rights" but its leaders hope it will reach beyond that.

"This is a one-of-a-kind entity for the Arab-American community in Dearborn," says Imad Hamad, director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. "But we see this as a place for all Americans."

Construction on the 10,000-square-foot building at Ford and Chase roads is set to begin within the next month and finish up by the end of next summer. The two-story structure will feature office space, a reception area, an auditorium and meeting space for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. It will feature design elements rich in Arabian history.

The $5 million project was made possible by $1.5 million in gifts from prominent leaders in Qatar.

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee is the largest civil rights group for Arab-Americans. More Arabs call Metro Detroit home than anywhere else in the world outside of the Middle East. For information, call (313) 581-1201.

Source: Imad Hamad, regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Writer: Jon Zemke

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