American Middle East

The American Middle East Christians Congress Board of Directors, the Advisory Board, guests, and members at large celebrated Christmas at Sahara Restaurant on December 21, 2003.

On January 23, 2004, Dr. Dass, Mr. David Enwya, and Ms. Asoma Karama, representing AMECC, attended the monthly BRIDGES meeting, which was held at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Eastern District of Michigan, and was co-chaired by Mr. Jeffrey Collins, United States attorney. BRIDGES is a unique community project that is sponsored by Mr. Jeffrey Collins and many American Middle East organizations to discuss issues related to the American Middle East communities and the United States government, especially with the department of homeland security, and its federal branches. The main discussion was related to the Computer Assisted Passenger Screening System I/II. Information was delivered by James Douglas, the acting federal security director at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. In addition, there were issues discussed related to immigration and border crossing.

The American Middle East Christians Congress participated in the World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation [the Interfaith Holy Day of Peace among the Religions of the World] on January 31, 2004 at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It was hosted by Rev. Rodney Reinhart, founder, and Rev. Edward Mullins, Rector of Christ Church Cranbrook. AMECC was represented by Dr. Ramsay Dass, David Enwya, Asoma Karana, Najma Ghazar, Nazar Boghossian, Namir Isso, and Basim Dawood. Also, there was representation from various religious and community organizations, such as Christians, Muslims, Jews, Bahais, Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists. This program was very well attended and will be televised nationally and internationally. It was dedicated to making peace among all the religions in the world. We want to thank Rev. Rodney Reinhart for incorporating AMECC as part of the program at such a short notice. Dr. Dass was invited to be a participant in the program.

On February 2, 2004, Dr. Dass, president of the American Middle East Christians Congress (AMECC) met with Daniel H. Krichbaum, Ph.D., the executive director, and Steve Spreitzer, Interfaith coordinator from the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ,) and discussed issues related to the NCCJ and AMECC.

The American Middle East Christians Congress celebrated Valentine’s Day with a festive party on February 14, 2004 at the Macedonian Cultural Center. It was very well attended by members of various American Middle East communities. The cultural committee’s, chaired by Ms. Asoma Karama and members Linda Ishkanian, Nazar Boghossian, Najma Ghazar, Namir Isso, Basim Dawood, David Enwya, and Nadhir Zoma, efforts in this event was very appreciative and made this event very successful.

Mr. Steve Spreitzer, Interfaith coordinator from the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ,) addressed the AMECC Board of Directors on February 16, 2004. The AMECC Board of Directors unanimously voted to participate in future programs of NCCJ and continue to further cooperation between the two organizations.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2004, Dr. Ramsay Dass and Mr. Louis Zoghby attended the Investiture of Honorable Judge David J. Allen to the Wayne County Circuit Court Bench at the Plymouth United Church of Christ. It was very well attended by Governor Jennifer Granholm, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, the Detroit City Council, and a large number of judges and community leaders. We congratulate Honorable Judge Allen on his appointment as he and his two brothers Jim and John, who are lawyers, are prominent members of the Middle East Christian community and have contributed, along with their parents, to the society. Honorable Judge David Allen; John Allen, esq.; and Jim Allen, esq., received certificates of appreciation and recognition from AMECC on November 1, 2003 at the annual convention.

The American Middle East Christians Congress, through its weekly radio program on Middle East radio, its website, and monthly newsletter, communicate to the public.

Upcoming Events and Projects:

Inter-community dinner

Health-o-Rama projects

Free standing health clinic to service the uninsured

Social Services to the needy