Arab-American Council wants to make difference

The Arab-American Heritage Council (AAHC) was founded in 1980 by a few concerned Arab-Americans with the aim of helping Arab-American through immigration and to learn English. Since April 2009, it has been headed by Executive Director Mona Sahouri, who hopes to make the council a presence in downtown Flint.

The aims of the AAHC, Sahouri said, are to help Arab-Americans feel as if they belong in the wider community, and to promote the "true image" of Arabs.

According to Sahouri, there are roughly 15,000 Arab-Americans in Genesee County.

The AAHC works with local organizations on special events.

The AAHC worked with the Flint Institute of Arts to show three Arabic language films In 2009. The AAHC is working on plans to show more films from the Arab world and to bring in an Arab stand-up comic this year.

The council hopes to help all people "navigate the system in this area and get connected," Sahouri said. Individuals looking for work or social help contact the AAHC, then Sahouri helps connect them with other organizations in the area that offer assistance, such as United Way, Resource Genesee, Career Alliance and local colleges.

AAHC will hold its annual health fair with the Hispanic Coalition and local health care providers May 8 at the UM-Flint Pavilion . The fair will include a two-mile run or walk, health screenings, testing, healthy cooking demonstrations, information on women's health and children' activities such as face painting and child identification.

"The idea behind this health fair is to take care of the whole family," Sahouri said.

The AAHC will have its first summer camp at Camp Copneconic July 5 to July10. Sahouri says one of her priorities as executive director is to attract young people to the organization.

"When you bring in kids you bring in their parents," she said.

The AAHC provides presentations on Arab culture to local colleges and businesses. There are no taboo questions, Sahouri said. The most common question she is asked is "Are all Arabs Muslim?" People are often surprised when she explains many Arabs are not. It is her responsibility, she said, to show Arabs are nothing like the Muslim extremist image the media portrays.

"I don't blame the average American for believing stereotypes about Arabs," said Sahouri. "I blame the Arab-Americans who do not get involved and show people differently."

The AAHC sponsored a dialogue between African Americans and Arab-Americans in December 2009 and January 2010 to discuss recent shootings in Arab-owned stores.

"We cannot afford this situation deteriorating," Sahouri said.

Both groups laid out their problems and returned for the second session with solutions. Arab-American store owners and African Americans discussed sponsoring sports activities for local kids, putting adequate lighting in front of stores and cleaning up around stores to discourage unwanted activity.

"The most important thing is we started a dialogue, which is vital to a healthy community. We need people to understand your community is larger than your race," Sahouri said.

Through a grant from the C.S. Mott Foundation last year the council was able to hire an immigration and language director, Alex Isaac. The AAHC offers classes in both English and Arabic as second languages, from beginner to advanced. Translation services are available to make sure people have the information they need. Isaac tutors immigrants for the citizenship exam. These programs are open to all ethnicities, and Sahouri hopes they serve as a "helping bridge between cultures."

All programs are available at minimum cost, Sahouri said. Scholarships are available to those in need and can be applied for through the council.

The council is "very sustainable," Sahouri said. The AAHC has fundraisers, including an annual Valentine's Day dance, banquets and holiday parties.

The  council publishes a quarterly newsletter, Everything Arab, for its members.

The council is at 416 N. Saginaw, Suite 220. Call 235 2722, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.aahcflint.org for more information.