DEARBORN — Henry Ford Community College’s Arab Cultural Studies Program will present “The Many Faces of Arab Women” conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Andrew A. Mazzara Administrative Services and Conference Center, at 5101 Evergreen.
For registration details, go to www.hfcc.edu/programs/ACSP or www.hfcc.edu, or contact conference coordinator Mary Assel at (313) 317-1556 or [email protected].
According to Assel, co-director of HFCC’s English Language Institute, the program is multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary where both men and women can examine the roles of Arab women in the Middle East and the United States. The conference will focus on the historical, cultural and diverse background of Arab women, as well as dispel common misconceptions about Arab women.
The keynote speaker is May Seikaly, Wayne State University associate professor, who will discuss “Challenges Facing Arab Women in the 21st Centrury.” Guest speaker Susan Chernard, Gateway Community College assistant professor, will speak on “A Saudi-born Woman’s Pursuit of Democracy.” Rima Fakih, Miss Michigan USA, will make a special appearance at the conference.
Jumana Judeh, president and CEO of Judeh and Associates, a Dearborn real estate consulting and appraisal firm, will conduct a breakout session on “Career Choices and Views on Family Economics.” Zana Macki, president of Zana Macki Communications and former regional coordinator of the American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee, will discuss “Media Myths and Perceptions.” Hoda Amine, director of the Arab Domestic Violence Intervention Program, will conduct a session on Arab women’s social relationships.
Other breakout sessions topics include: the impact of Islam on Arab women’s lives, women’s rights and Islamic jurisprudence, the woman’s role in the family, and changing attitudes toward female education.