09/18/09: Dearborn, Dearborn Heights mayors hold separate Ramadan dinners

Dearborn, Dearborn Heights mayors hold separate Ramadan dinners

Friday, 09.18.2009, 08:20pm- Arab American News

DEARBORN — In an event that coincided with an official iftar gathering at the State Department in Washington hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mayor Jack O'Reilly hosted his own dinner celebrating Ramadan at Byblos Banquet Hall Tuesday.

Dearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly addresses a crowd after iftar Tuesday at Byblos Banquet Hall. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab

The mayor spoke about taking opportunities to gather elected officials and

the diverse community he serves during rich cultural occasions like Ramadan.

"This is an incredible community," he said. "Were a community that is coming together in some very special ways."

Osama Siblani, who is publisher of The Arab American News, praised the mayor for "caring about all neiborhoods and all businesses in the city."

"This is a great tradition that we are establishing here," he said about holding official iftar events during Ramadan, referring to those hosted by O'Reilly, the State Department, and the following Wednesday dinners hosted by the Dearborn Heights mayor and the CIA.

-Khalil AlHajal

DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Community and religious leaders gathered at Al Shallal Restaurant on Warren Road in Dearborn Heights on Wednesday for Mayor Dan Paletko's Second annual Iftar dinner.

Dearborn Heights Mayor Dan Paletko, center, poses with Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi and other constituents at Al Shallal restaurant Wednesday.

The mayor was joined by guests such as Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights and his wife Jennifer, Dearborn community leader Michael Berry, and Dearborn Edsel Ford Principal Hassane Jaafar.

"We did this to show support for the community and what they've done for the city," Paletko said.

"We would like to wish everyone in the Islamic community a spiritually successful Ramadan and we are honored that so many community leaders decided to come out."

-Nick Meyer