State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) speaks to the Arab American Heritage Month resolution on the House floor on April 24, 2024, at the Capitol in Lansing.
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 24, 2024 — State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) introduced legislation recently to establish a Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs (CMEAA). The commission would advise the governor’s office and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity on issues affecting Michigan’s Middle Eastern American community, including economic development, education, and civil rights.
“Our state is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Middle Eastern American communities in the country,” Farhat said. “This commission will provide a platform for their voices and allow their lived experiences to inform the betterment of our state.”
The CMEAA would also serve as a bridge between state government and Middle Eastern American residents, facilitating dialogue and ensuring policies reflect the community’s diverse perspectives and priorities.
“This legislation will help strengthen the bonds between Michigan’s Middle Eastern American communities and our state government,” Farhat added.
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