ARABCON 2025 PROGRAM

All events take place at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center unless otherwise noted

Thursday, September 25

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. — ArabCon Welcome Reception

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library 

 

ArabCon 2025 opens with a vibrant evening celebrating heritage, resilience, and the collective power of community. Join us for a powerful kickoff that honors the generations who paved the way, uplifts the changemakers leading today, and ignites the vision of those shaping our future.  Set against the backdrop of Dearborn – home to one of the largest Arab-American communities in the country – this welcome reception offers an inspiring start to a transformative weekend.

 

Remarks by: 

  • The Hon. Abdullah Hammoud, Mayor, City of Dearborn
  • Dr. Safa Rifka, National Chairman, ADC
  • Abed Ayoub, National Executive Director, ADC
  • Machhadie “Micho” Assi, President, Muslim Americans in Public Service (MI) 

 

Recognition of the Government of Spain, presented to:

Agustín Rebollo, Political Counselor, Embassy of Spain

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library 


ArabCon 2025 invites you to a powerful screening of Encampments, a documentary capturing the courageous wave of student-led protests demanding an end to genocide in Gaza and the divestment of university funds from companies complicit in occupation and war. The film offers a gripping, on-the-ground perspective of the encampments that swept across campuses — highlighting voices of defiance, solidarity, and moral clarity in the face of institutional repression.

A conversation with:

  • Hamza Ali, Executive Producer, Watermelon Pictures
  • Ben Becker, Executive Producer, BreakThrough News
  • Mahmoud Khalil, 2025 Columbia University Alumnus 

Moderator: Valentina Pereda, National Communications Director, ADC

Friday, September 26

All events take place at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center unless otherwise noted

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. — ArabCon Welcome

ArabCon 2025 officially opens with remarks that ground us in purpose and set the stage for the days ahead. This moment brings together civic leaders, medical advocates, and national organizers to reflect on where we’ve been—and where we’re going. From health equity to human rights, their voices will frame the urgent themes and shared vision that will guide this year’s gathering.

 

Remarks by: 

  • Rep. Alabas Farhat, State Representative, Michigan
  • Mo Baydoun, Mayoral Candidate, Dearborn Heights

Eman Ali, Principal, Salina; Founder, UHF

As Zionist attacks on Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and allied communities intensify in the U.S., the promise of equal justice has given way to selective enforcement. This panel centers U.S. law: how deference to the executive, immunity doctrines, and uneven prosecution have eroded the integrity of our courts and democratic oversight—effectively absolving officials and corporations implicated in genocide and gross violations of the very laws meant to protect us.

 

A conversation with:

  • Amy Greer, PhD, Esq., Attorney, Dratel & Lewis
  • Amir Makled, Esq., Attorney, Hall Makled Law
  • Edward Mitchell, Deputy Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
  • Jenin Younes – National Legal Director, ADC

Moderator: Amer Zahr, Comedian, Professor, Attorney

 

Across the United States, the institutionalization of the IHRA definition of antisemitism has moved through school boards, districts, and state legislatures, chilling instruction on Palestine and other critical history. These measures are being used to censor materials, restrict classroom debate, and punish educators who want to teach the truth. Well-funded Zionist networks pressure districts to adopt curricula that sanitize or erase Israel’s human rights abuses, narrowing what students are allowed to learn and what teachers are allowed to say. This conversation brings together teachers, advocates, and administrators who are on the front lines of defending academic freedom and students’ right to a complete, honest education. 

A conversation with:

  • Dr. Samia Shoman, Educator; Editor, Teach Palestine
  • Aida Salah, Educator; Delegate, NEA
  • Dr. Marwan Issa, Associate Director, Global Educational Excellence; Founder, SchoolWide Solutions
  • Sim Kern, Journalist and Author 

Moderator: Colette Cavanagh, National Education Director, ADC

In this special live-recorded session of the SUMUD Podcast, creator and host, Dr. Ed Hasan, sits down with acclaimed singer and songwriter, Dana Salah, for an intimate conversation on art, identity, and resilience. Born and raised in Amman with Palestinian roots, Salah’s signature Fala7i Pop blends Arabic folklore with global sounds. Salah was a nominated as Best Indie Artist of the year by Billboard Arabia for her charted viral singles “Weino” and “Ya Tal3een”. Together, Dr. Hasan and Salah explore how her music carries the weight of heritage while breaking new ground in global culture. 

A conversation with:

  • Dana Salah, Singer, Songwriter, Producer
  • Ed Hasan, Author, Professor, Host of SUMUD

Ali Awad, CEO Lawyer, and Hamzah Nasser of Haraz Coffee join Abed Ayoub, ADC’s National Executive Director and host of ArabCon, for a timely conversation on the importance of economic empowerment in these times. Their discussion will explore how access to resources and opportunity fuels resilience — from helping small businesses thrive, to creating jobs, to supporting families in building financial security. Together, they will highlight how communities can turn challenge into strength, and why investing in economic growth today lays the foundation for long-term stability and shared prosperity.

 A conversation with:

  • Ali Awad, CEO Lawyer
  • Hamzah Nasser, CEO, Haraz Coffee House

Moderator: Abed Ayoub, National Executive Director, ADC

Throughout history, artists and cultural visionaries have consistently led the charge against injustice, amplifying voices often silenced by power. Whether through film, music, or visual storytelling, creatives have courageously taken stands, frequently serving as the earliest voices calling out oppression. Together, our panelists will explore how artists sparked global consciousness around the genocide in Gaza, energized the demand for a Free Palestine, and continue to inspire movements for justice in the Middle East, the United States, and beyond.

 A conversation with:

  • Céline Semaan, Founder and Executive Director, Slow Factory
  • Hamza Ali, Founder and Creative Director, Watermelon Pictures
  • Ahmed Al-Kadri, Comedian
  • Farid Nassar aka FredWreck, Music Producer 

Moderator: Tamir Khalil, Filmmaker, Creative Curator

As the walls of censorship and intimidation close in, there remain voices too bold to silence. This conversation brings together three of today’s most trusted leaders who have stood at the frontlines of truth-telling when the cost of speaking out was high. Unfiltered and unapologetic, they confront erasure, call out hypocrisy, and embody the power of refusing to bend to those who would rather see them silent. They remind us that truth is not just a principle—it is a weapon against oppression, a shield for the silenced, and a force that reshapes history.

A conversation with:

  • Linda Sarsour, Author & Executive Director, MPower Change
  • Hazami Barmada, Social Innovator, Strategist & Host, Finding Humanity Podcast
  • Medea Benjamin, Co-Founder, CODE PINK

End of Friday daytime programming

Master of Ceremony: Said Durrah, Comedian and Philanthropist 

 

Awards Presentation

  • Art for Liberation Award – Presented to Céline Semaan on behalf of Slow Factory 
  • The Ali Brothers Excellence in Film Award – Presented to Hamza Ali on behalf of Watermelon Pictures 
  • Advocate of the Year Award – Presented to Hazami Barmada
  • Media Impact Award – Presented to Hussein Hachem 
  • Distinguished Public Service Award – Presented to Rep. Abraham Aiyash 
  • Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Presented to Hamzah Nasser 

 

We’re Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends Live at ArabCon 

In a time when truth is under fire and satire cuts deeper than ever, journalist Mehdi Hasan sits down with internationally acclaimed comedian and former heart surgeon Bassem Youssef for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation. From political absurdities to cultural contradictions, this special live taping dives into what it means to speak truth to power — with humor as the sharpest weapon. Smart, unapologetic, and unfiltered, this is not your average panel — and they’re definitely not kidding.

 

A conversation with: 

  • Bassem Youssef, Comedian, TV Host, “Jon Stewart of the Arab World”
  • Mehdi Hasan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Zeteo

 

Layali performances 

This unforgettable showcase features renowned artists, as well as special award presentations honoring Arab creatives and changemakers who are redefining the narrative. From stirring spoken word to electrifying music and unforgettable moments on stage, Layali is where the Arab experience takes center stage—bold, beautiful, and unapologetically alive.

 

Performances by:

  • Dana Salah, Singer, Songwriter and Producer
  • Eddy Mack, Hip Hop Artist and Producer
    • Wessam Aljundi aka Batata, Hip Hop Artist and Comedian 
  • Ziad Rahbani Tribute by:
  • Michael Ibrahim, Co-Founder & Music Director, National Arab Orchestra (NAO)

Usama Baalbaki, Co-Founder & Chairman, National Arab Orchestra (NAO)

Saturday, September 27

All events take place at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center unless otherwise noted

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — TYT & ArabCon Present: The Great Political Realignment

As the genocide in Gaza continues to spark global outrage, it has also triggered a historic rupture in U.S. politics. Longstanding bipartisan consensus on unconditional support for Israel is fracturing across ideological lines. Progressive Democrat, Rep. Ro Khanna, joins TYT’s Cenk Uygur to confront the profound political realignment now underway. What does this shift mean for U.S. foreign policy, the future of both parties, and the emergence of new coalitions? 

A conversation with:

  • Rep. Ro Khanna, Member of Congress, California’s 17th District
  • Cenk Uygur, CEO and Founder, The Young Turks

Since the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, a wave of legislation has emerged across the United States—aimed not at addressing the humanitarian crisis, but at criminalizing protest, silencing speech, and shielding U.S. complicity from public scrutiny. This panel will examine how lawmakers, rather than responding to the moral clarity of their constituents, have instead launched a legislative assault on civil liberties, campus activism, and Palestinian advocacy. What does this disconnect reveal about American democracy? And how can movements push back against policies that prioritize foreign interests over public will?

A conversation with:

  • Tariq Habash, Co-Founder and Director, A New Policy
  • Josh Reubner, Author and Policy Director, Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU)
  • Zahra Billoo, Executive Director, CAIR San Francisco Bay Area

Moderator: Manar Waheed, Civil Rights Attorney, Strategist

As global outrage over Israel’s actions in Gaza grows, major tech platforms have increasingly moved to suppress pro-Palestine voices, shadowban dissent, and shape public perception through opaque algorithms and content moderation policies. This panel explores how social media and tech giants have become gatekeepers of political discourse—limiting what we see, hear, and say—particularly when it challenges U.S. foreign policy or criticizes Israel. What are the implications for digital rights, movement organizing, and the future of public debate in an age of algorithmic control, and how do we resist?

A conversation with:

  • Tom Hall, Developer and Founder, Tech for Palestine
  • Issam Hijazi, Founder, UpScrolled

Moderator: Haris Tarin, Vice President of Policy and Programming, MPAC

From South African apartheid, Russia’s war on Ukraine, to the genocides of Sudan and Palestine, and beyond, major sports organizations have repeatedly chosen complicity over conscience. Rather than standing with the people, governing bodies like FIFA, UEFA, and the International Olympic Committee have often shielded governments from accountability, using sports as a stage to sanitize abuses and project “normalcy.”

This conversation will examine how global sports institutions, driven by money and political pressure, prioritize relationships with governments and special interests over the will of the fans who power the game. It will explore the history of sports as a tool of propaganda, highlight the ongoing whitewashing of human rights violations, and consider how athletes, fans, and movements can challenge this cycle of complicity.

A conversation with:

  • Isma’il Kushkush, Journalist 

Khaled Beydoun, Author and Law Professor

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is no stranger to public service—or to challenging the status quo. Now running for U.S. Senate in Michigan, he represents a new generation of Arab-American leadership rooted in bold ideas and deep community connection. In this candid conversation, Dr. El-Sayed reflects on his journey in politics, the obstacles Arab-American candidates continue to face, and his vision for a more just and representative America.

A conversation with:

  • Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Candidate for U.S. Senate, Michigan

Moderator: Suehaila Amen, National Organizing Director, ADC

Explore the profound psychological impacts of Zionism with experts Dr. Lara Sheehi, Dr. Sawssan Ahmed, and Dr. Karen Suyemoto. This candid discussion addresses multiple dimensions of psychological warfare—from generational trauma rooted in Israel’s violent occupation of Palestine, to the McCarthyite persecution faced by medical professionals in the West who speak out against the genocide in Gaza. Hear firsthand experiences from those who have witnessed the genocide directly and from those confronting institutional backlash and persecution due to their rejection of it, illuminating the essential role psychology plays in understanding and resisting Zionist narratives.
 
A conversation with:
  • Dr. Lara Sheehi, Dr. Lara Sheehi, Professor, Doha Institute; Co-author, Psychoanalysis Under Occupation
  • Dr. Karen Suyemoto, Professor of Clinical Psychology, UMass Boston
 
Moderator: Dr. Sawssan Ahmed, Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor, California State University

How do organizers put their bodies on the line and inspire others to follow? How can influence translate into real-world power? This panel brings together some of today’s most impactful and consequential movement leaders to examine the strategies, sacrifices, and breakthroughs that define organizing in our time.

The discussion will explore what it means to sustain momentum under pressure and mass distractions, and the lessons learned from movements that have changed the political and cultural landscape with the lasting vision, discipline, and courage required to organize at scale.

A conversation with:

  • Mahmoud Khalil, 2025 Columbia University Alumnus
    • Chris Smalls, National Labor Leader
    • Dr. Mohammed Tahir, Chief of Surgery, FAJR Global
    • Salma Hamamy, 2025 University of Michigan Alumna 
  • Moderator: Rep. Abraham Aiyash (former), District 9, Michigan House of Representatives

End of Saturday daytime programming

Location: Bint Jebail Cultural Center

Join us for a landmark evening as we commemorate 45 years of the Arab American community’s most enduring institution. The ADC 45th Anniversary Dinner is a tribute to the visionaries, advocates, and cultural changemakers who have shaped our story—and a celebration of the path ahead. Through powerful storytelling, award recognitions, and an inspiring keynote, we’ll reflect on a legacy of civil rights leadership and recommit to building a future rooted in dignity, justice, and collective power.

Emcee: Rhana Natour, Journalist & Filmmaker 

Remarks by: 

  • Dr. Safa Rifka, National Chairman, ADC
  • Abed Ayoub, National Executive Director, ADC
  • Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II
  • Mahmoud Khalil, 2025 Columbia University Alumnus 
  • Linda Sarsour, Author, Activist, Executive of MPower Change

 

Awards Presentation:

  • Hala Salam Maksoud Lifetime Achievement Award – Presented to Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi
  • Humanitarian of the Year Award – Presented to Hani Almadhoun
  • Rachel Corrie Award- Presented to Medea Benjamin
  • Voice of Courage Award – Presented to Khaled Beydoun 
  • Distinguished Public Health Service Award – Presented to Dr. Mohammed “Mo” Mustafa
  • Distinguished Public Health Service Award – Presented to Dr. Mohammed Tahir
  • Ralph Johns Award – Presented to Amy Greer

Sunday, September 28

All events take place at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center unless otherwise noted

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — Welcome Remarks

This extraordinary conversation brings together two voices from opposite ends of the Gaza genocide. Hani Almadhoun is a Palestinian American who has lost more than 200 family members in the genocide, including his brother and co-founder, Mahmoud Almadhoun. Opposite him sits Anthony Aguilar, a former Green Beret and military contractor who became a whistleblower after raising alarms on human rights violations committed by the IDF while serving with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Together, Hani and Anthony confront the reality of loss, complicity, and accountability. Hani speaks from the lived pain of an obliterated family and community, while Anthony reflects on why he entered Gaza as a contractor, what he witnessed firsthand, and the moral reckoning that led him to speak out. This dialogue does not offer easy answers—it forces us to grapple with uncomfortable truths, the human cost of war, and the urgent question of where we go from here.

A conversation with:

  • Hani Almadhoun, Co-Founder, Gaza Soup Kitchen
  • Anthony Aguilar, Former Green Beret; Whistleblower, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation  
  • Moderator: Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director, UNRWA USA

Independent journalists are piercing through the fog of propaganda and state-sanctioned silence– safeguarding the integrity of history itself. 

As Western media and Zionist forces work to censor on-the-ground realities in Gaza, courageous independent journalists are forcing the truth into view. In the age of the internet, their testimony and uncensored reporting make it harder to erase facts—and ensure history is written from evidence, not narratives manipulated by the powerful.

Independent journalists are piercing through the fog of propaganda and state-sanctioned silence– safeguarding the integrity of history itself. 

A conversation with:

  • Rania Khalek, Journalist and Host, Dispatches on BreakThrough News

Eugene Puryear, Author and Host, BreakThrough News

Through his poetry, Gaza lives in eternity– carrying the soul of a people into spaces where no checkpoint or blockade can reach. His work turns memory into permanence, ensuring Gaza’s voice resounds across generations.

Mosab Abu Toha’s Pulitzer-winning words transcend borders, censorship, and even the limits of physical destruction. His poetry belongs to eternity—carrying memory, identity, and resilience into spaces where walls and sieges cannot reach. This reading is an invitation into a world where poetry does not just endure—it transcends, reminding us that words themselves are a form of freedom.

Through his poetry, Gaza lives in eternity– carrying the soul of a people into spaces where no checkpoint or blockade can reach. His work turns memory into permanence, ensuring Gaza’s voice resounds across generations.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the urgent need for a coordinated response and sustained global engagement has never been more critical. This session explores the wide-reaching impact of the siege on Palestinian life. 

 

From overwhelmed hospitals and collapsing infrastructure to rising rates of malnutrition and psychological trauma, speakers will examine what’s being done—and what’s being impeded—to support Gaza’s civilians, particularly women and children. Beyond the statistics, this conversation aims to humanize the crisis and highlight how international solidarity, strategic advocacy, and humanitarian action can overcome the barriers.

 

A conversation with:

  • Abdelhamid Siyam, Journalist & UN Official 
  • Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi, Founding Director and Senior Scholar, Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Studies Program, San Francisco State University

Moderator: Said Arikat, Washington Bureau Chief, Al Quds

End of ArabCon 2025

CONTACT US Arabcon@adc.org

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