2021 General Elections are Over: Time to Reconcile, Work Together and Move Forward

No doubt that this year’s general elections that was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 was one most important and most contested in a number of cities across the state of Michigan, notably in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Hamtramck for Arab and Muslim Americans.

By Imad Hamad

Imad Hamad, Executive Director of the American Human Rights Council (AHRC)

No doubt that this year’s general elections that was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 was one most important and most contested in a number of cities across the state of Michigan, notably in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Hamtramck for Arab and Muslim Americans.

These three cities have growing Arab and Muslim American populations. Citizens of the three cities elected three Arab Americans as mayors, setting a historical precedent showcasing the rich diversity and inclusion that made these cities unique.

The outcome of these elections shows the beauty of American democracy and affirms once again that every citizen is granted the equal opportunity to be part of the American political process.

For an immigrant community, attaining public and official posts is a reality and is no longer just a dream. Three Arab Americans won the mayoral race they ran in: Abdullah Hammoud in Dearborn, Dr. Amer Ghalib in Hamtramck and Bill Bazzi in Dearborn Heights. Their victories constitute a milestone for the Arab American community.

Abdullah Hammoud, elected Mayor of Dearborn Nov. 2, 2021. Photo courtesy of Abdullah Hammoud Facebook Page — Abdullah Hammoud, elected Mayor of Dearborn Nov. 2, 2021.

Winning is the step towards a new chapter and a new era in these cities. Elections are over now. No doubt that the election of three Arab American mayors is historic and a cause for celebration. It’s not just a dream that came through, it shows that Arab Americans are integral part of the American fabric. They have the qualifications that inspired the confidence of voters.

What counts now is to focus on the cities’ affairs and help unite and reconcile. These cities face tough challenges that require all citizens’ cooperation to address and overcome. The challenge for the winners now is to rally their constituency to effect real change.

Running to public office is not an easy task. Regardless of winning or losing, are to be commended and their efforts should be appreciated. Those candidates, elected or not, participated in a process that presented voters with choices. We congratulate those who won and salute those who didn’t. There will be future elections and other chances to run.

It is time to reconcile, unite and join hands together in order to help better shape our common future. It’s no longer about the candidates, it’s about addressing the real issues and pressing changes facing these cities such as infrastructure, water and taxes.

It is not only the mayors that determine the future of a city. Those who earned the public confidence in the city council, city charter and other posts are equally important. Leading the city is not limited to one entity. The city is a collective responsibility that requires team work to move forward and advance.

To all those who voted we say thank you. The midterm elections of 2022 are not far off. We call on all to sustain the engagement and the enthusiasm.

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rayhanania

Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News

RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

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