Members of the El-Bakaurat Ed-Dirziyat Society realized that the association would become inactive in the future if the problem of the Arabic language in the bylaws was not overcome. An attempt was made to change the language to English, but the proposal was rejected. Subsequently, the Michigan Youth Club of El-Bakaurat Ed-Dirziyat was formed. Eventually, the society organized a club for Druze youth across the country and held a large annual conference that began in 1946 and continued until 2006, to foster communication among the Druze in the United States.
The First Al-Bayan Festival 1947
In 1946, all Druze communities in Michigan discussed the necessity of forming a permanent organization to unite the Druze in the United States and to meet once a year under one roof.
In 1946, a group of men, all members of branches of the El-Bakaurat Ed-Dirziyat Society (El-Bakaurat Ed-Dirziyat), played a significant role in organizing a conference in Charleston, West Virginia.
"Al-Bayan" was one of the oldest Arabic newspapers in the United States and was in dire need of funding, as well as support from the members of the El-Bakaurat Ed-Dirziyat Society to continue its publication. Mr. Mahmoud Sadek from Washington D.C., and a group of men belonging to various branches of the El-Bakaurat Ed-Dirziyat Society, began a tour throughout the United States where there were Druze gatherings.
This group also included: Sam Rafey from Hopewell, Virginia, Salim Abou Rafeh; Fayz Rasheed from Richmond, Virginia; Brahim Shoukier from Munday, Texas; Saeid Waheed from Lubbock, Texas; and Jimmie Silman, who had just moved to Saginaw, Michigan from Texas; Samia Shoucair Salam from Washington D.C. and her two daughters Nadine and Alpha Salem; and Wadad Silman, wife of Jimmie Silman Sr., and their daughter Pauline Silman. In addition to their support for the Arabic newspaper Al-Bayan, this group wanted to hold a conference that would bring all Druze in the United States under one roof.
In addition to promoting the Arabic newspaper Al-Bayan, the first conference was planned with the goal of helping U.S.-born Druze get to know each other. While touring the United States, the group suggested that every member of the El-Bakaurat Ed-Dirziyat Society take their wives and children to the first Mihrajan (festival) of Al-Bayan. Subsequently, on October 15, 1946, at the home of Zakia and Sleiman Joseph in Charleston, West Virginia, general support was found for the idea of holding an annual conference among members of the community.
This was done in the name of the "Al-Bayan Foundation," its shareholders, subscribers, supporters, and friends. Thus, the American Druze Society was founded in 1946, and its first conference was held in Charleston, West Virginia, on July 22, 23, and 24, 1947, under the name "The First Al-Bayan Festival 1947."
Charleston, West Virginia Conference
The first conference was planned with the goal of fostering communication among U.S.-born Druze and helping them get to know one another. During the group's tour in the United States to support "Al-Bayan" newspaper, they suggested that every member of the El-Bakaurat Ed-Dirziyat Society take their wives and children to the first Al-Bayan Festival. On October 15, 1946, at the home of Zakia and Sleiman Joseph in Charleston, West Virginia, it was agreed to hold an annual conference among the community members under the name "Al-Bayan," with the support of its shareholders, subscribers, supporters, and friends.
"Al-Bayan" newspaper is an Arabic newspaper published in Washington D.C. There was a strong movement to support the continued publication of Al-Bayan, as it was the only source of communication among all members of the Druze community. It operated according to its constitution, which aimed to strengthen relations between our country and our country of origin. The Druze community was determined to find support to continue publishing Al-Bayan. The group of supporters decided that a meeting of all Druze in the United States should be held to support this goal, in addition to fostering brotherhood among the members.
A group of men decided they would go to several states as missionaries and invite the Druze in those states to Charleston, West Virginia, where this first major event would be held. These ambassadors included: James Silman, Sr. from Saginaw, Michigan; Faze Basheer from Richmond, Virginia; Brahim Shoukier from Lubbock, Texas; Sam Rafey from Hopewell, Virginia; and Mahmoud Sadek from Washington D.C. They went to the homes of many people in each state, inviting the Druze community to gather in Charleston the following year to attend the Druze conference. In the meantime, Al-Bayan carried the message of the upcoming conference to the Druze across the United States.
Members of the immigrant Druze community realized they needed to establish a way to stir interest in more communication among all Druze in the United States – to help the younger generation get to know each other and gather a large number of Druze once a year in different locations in this country.
Thus, the need for fraternity was met, and the American Druze Society celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996. The strong bond between the Druze and their interest in fraternity remained as prevalent abroad in North America as it was in the homeland.
Charleston, West Virginia Program 1947
The year 1947 and Charleston, West Virginia are the date and place where the American Druze Society was founded. In 1947, the AL BAYAN Corporation held the first Al-Bayan festival from July 21-23, 1947, at Kanawha Forest in Charleston, West Virginia.
This was recorded in the first issue of the commemorative magazine, stating: "We take this opportunity to welcome you all with great joy to this first Al-Bayan Festival. It is a truly historic occasion that brings the Al-Bayan family together for the first time..."
"Al-Bayan, as you all know, is one of the oldest newspapers in the United States. It was founded by Sheikh Sleiman Badoor in 1910. Throughout these years, it has provided invaluable services in the field of culture, education, social affairs, and the general welfare of Arabic-speaking Americans. It has always been at the forefront of supporting every movement that was in the interest of our beloved land that we have relied upon, the United States of America." The first conference program was as follows:
Monday, July 21: Arabic concert from 12 PM to 7 PM at the Boat Club. Karwan Al-Wadi and his band will entertain the audience.
Tuesday, July 22: Arabic dance (Dabke) and various social and musical activities from 12 PM to 7 PM at the Boat Club.
Wednesday, July 23: Afternoon meetings at the Boat Club, and a dinner at 8 PM at the Daniel Boone Hotel. Details of all social and musical activities will be announced daily.
Julie Mlin Makarem remembers that on Tuesday evening, after the Arabic band left the Boat Club, all the adults went to the homes of local residents to spend the rest of the evening. The younger Druze gathered in the cars of West Virginia locals: Norman Shaar, Rufus Cannon, Romeis Joseph (Merry), and others. The locals stopped at a place where watermelons were being sold. Each car was loaded with watermelons in the trunk. Then the group set off to a park to spend the rest of the night. There was no time for sleep at this first conference. When the Druze conference ended, everyone who attended vowed to keep in touch with each other, and of course, attend the second conference to be held in Washington D.C. Thus, the American Druze Society was founded.
Mr. George (Mahmoud) Sadek was the president instead of Mr. Amin Joseph Merhi. Mr. Amin Joseph Merhi was recorded as president in the 1994 book "Our Heritage." However, Mr. George (Mahmoud) Sadek was the president, Mr. Nafeh Qatar Sr. was the senior vice president, Mr. Richard Rasheed was the society's secretary, and Mr. Hani Abu Musleh (Massy) was the spokesperson. Mickey Sanjeed was the committee chairman.
