Loading ...Look at What Michigan's Arab Americans are Doing During the Pandemic
By: Terry Ahwal/Arab America Contributing Writer
The small, invisible, and mysterious Coronavirus pandemic has and continues to rule the world. Some world leaders knew about the virus but delayed preparing for and warning the public about this deadly enemy. Today, this malignant and malicious Covid19 virus is affecting every aspect of our lives.
Most of us are scared and bewildered with our new norm. We all know someone or heard of someone suffering from the virus. Most of us retreated to our homes and adhered to the new rules set by our federal, state, and local officials. Fearful, we are embracing ourselves for what’s coming.
When most of us are glued to the T.V. or Radio to hear about breaking news, a segment of our Michigan community heeded the call of duty and stepped into the front line to help save and protect us. Hundreds, if not thousands of them, are Arab Americans who took to the challenge, put their lives in danger to save us, and ensure positive recovery.
Without a doubt, every hospital in the USA, small or large, cannot operate without the dedicated medical personnel who hail from the Arab-American community. Medical professionals like Doctors Christopher Harb, Jamie Taweel, Harb Harb, Jessica Haddad, Nabil Khoury, Mike Ghannam, Fawaz, Sonia Ajluni, and hundred others rose to the challenge.
They continue to put their lives in danger to treat the covid19 victims. Many nurses in our community like May Salaita, not only trying to save the patients, but they are also the lifeline between the patients and their families. They are the superheroes who are pushing themselves to the limit with little protection to heal everyone who comes to their ways.
Nour Shamu and her team make and distribute thousands of masks to hospitals in the Detroit Area, WXYZ
Arab-Americans contributions to this crisis do not stop with medical personnel; our first responders are part of the fabric of this society and thus are contributing their part in these crises. Arab-and Chaldean American businesses have kept us fed by keeping their restaurants, and grocery stores open, Many like Jason Ghannam and Sam Yono have donated foods generously to first responders and those who are less fortunate during these crises.
Individually and collectively, the Arab-American community served in leading roles in responding to the catastrophe. The community and its leaders continue their efforts to provide essential services to everyone who needs them. Some, like the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine, raised money to distribute them to non-profit agencies to help defeat the spread of the virus.
From government officials such as the Health and a Human Service Secretary Alex Azar and also Dearborn (MI) Chief of Police Ronald Haddad to scores of medical professionals have joined others to ensure this crisis ends with limited tragedies. We can find Arab Americans at the helm selflessly servicing their communities, at large.
Many like Assistant Principal Christina Azrak dedicate themselves to educate our children despite the hardship they are facing during this epidemic. Wayne County Commissioners Sam Beydoun and Al Haidous are working their magic trying to find needed supplies to Wayne County residents. They are promoting guidelines in Arabic and English to reach all members of the community; in addition, they are soliciting help from business people so that no one is left behind during this crisis.
Another dedicated Arab American who is working around the clock is Mohammed Enayah of Michigan. He is heading a remarkable initiative with the company he works for, Amcor. Enayah is leading his team which is converting and designing bottles of sanitizers and soaps that are donated to needy institutions in large numbers–hundreds of thousands.
Our non-profit agencies, like Access, ACC, ICD, Zaman, CAIR and numerous others in Michigan have increased their efforts to respond to this extraordinary emergency while still carrying their mission of service to others. Although churches and mosques are closed during this period, their leaders are tending to the demands of their flocks. They are providing them counseling and services online. They are in constant contact with the least among us to ensure that they are fed, safe, and healthy.
No one knows what will come of this crisis. Still, at this moment, many in the Arab-American community will be remembered as first responders heroes who dealt with this calamity with selflessness and honor. As we learn a new way of living because of the virus, we will remember many in our community who heroically stood shoulder to shoulder with others to save humanity against this formidable deadly virus.
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