The American Druze Society held its 1996 annual convention in Detroit, Michigan, and here are the convention minutes:
The 50th Annual Convention of the American Druze Society was held at the Westin Hotel, Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan, from June 25 to June 30. The president of the society was Fawzi Makarem and the vice president was Abdel Majeed Ghrayzi. Board members: Ramona Alie, Riad Al-Awar, Dr. David Najjar, Ramzi Kaid Bey, Julie Makarem, Haitham Ballout, Hani Ishti, Sami Merhi, Ziad Alamuddin. National Treasurer: Sahar Makassa.
Riad Al-Awar was the 1996 convention chairman.
Convention committee members: Khalil Harfoush, Labiba Harfoush, Amin Mosleh, Susan Mosleh, Moatasem Abu Hamdan, Madeleine Al-Awar, Fadi Hamada, Omar Abu Hamdan, Wajdi Abu Shaqra, Leila Hatoum, Nawal Shehayeb, Samir Makarem, and Lama Makarem.
Kamal Shehayeb was the chairman of the Golden Jubilee Committee.
The members of the Golden Jubilee Committee were Maya Jaber, Shakib Jaber, Fadi Hamada, Khalil Harfoush, Nawal Obeid, Ajaj Andari, Ramona Alie, Julie Makarem, and Dr. Rima Makassa.
In an attempt to strengthen the financial resources of the American Druze Society (ADS), President Makarem worked hard to register the ADS in the Combined Federal Campaign to raise funds for the ADS. It was the beginning of the flow of funds from completely different sources.
The 50th convention was very successful in terms of diverse cultural and recreational activities and guests. Dr. Wahba Al-Sayegh presented the fifth CORA book, which deals with the "fundamental beliefs" of the Druze faith. Dr. Al-Sayegh provided the members of the American Druze Society with a way to study the Druze faith, because without the CORA books, the knowledge we have now about our faith would not have been possible nor easily accessible.
Mr. Fawzi Abed, from Lebanon, gave a lecture on the importance of education in Lebanon. Mr. Fayez Salah El-Din, from Lebanon, represented the Druze Foundation for Social Welfare. The Druze Foundation for Social Welfare is an organization that looks after the needs of the Druze community in Lebanon. Mr. Salah El-Din gave an interesting and informative lecture in which he spoke about the foundation's work for the year. Mr. Nabih Al-Saadi, from As-Suwayda, Syria, gave an interesting lecture on the principles that form the "Druze identity." Dr. Marwan Abu Shaqra, General Manager of Ain Wazein Hospital, represented the Health Foundation of the Druze community. From Syria, Mr. Hazaa Abu Fakhr and Mr. Muhammad Tarabieh represented the Syrian Druze Orphanage.
Dr. Naji Al-Jardi introduced the speakers who presented an interesting seminar on the history of the American Druze Society from 1908 to the present. Mrs. Julie Makarem wrote the History of the Druze in America for the period (1908 – 1946) and for the period (1947 – 1970), and Mr. Ajaj Andari wrote the History of the Druze in America for the period (1971 – 1996).
Presentations were made by: Mrs. Julie Makarem (1908 – 1946), Mrs. Ramona Alie gave an oral description of her experiences at the convention from (1947 to 1970), and Mr. Ajaj Andari (1971 to 1996).
The guest of honor at the President's dinner was Sheikh Makarem Alamuddin, who came from Lebanon to join the participants in celebrating the 50th annual convention. The mistress of ceremonies was Mrs. Ramona Alie. Other guest speakers included Mr. Fayez Salah El-Din from the Druze Foundation for Social Welfare in Lebanon, Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna representing the Al-Irfan Foundation in Lebanon, Sheikh Salman Abdel-Khaleq representing the Al-Iman Hospital in Lebanon, and Mr. Hazaa Abu Fakhr, Director of the Druze Foundation for Social Welfare in As-Suwayda.
The master of ceremonies was Dr. Anis Obeid. Jimmy Hilal sang the national anthem. This was followed by a piano performance by the famous pianist Mr. Walid Hourani. The children sang under the supervision of Mrs. Nawal Obeid. The children who came from all over the United States were Natalie Bou Khzam, Ghida Hamad, Zeina Hatem, Nabil Harfoush, Ashraf and Ayman Malaeb, Leila and Fouad Makassa, and Nada and Sarah Shehayeb. Mr. Moatasem Abu Hamdan read a letter from Mansour Pasha Al-Atrash from Syria, expressing his sincere best wishes to the Druze community in America on its fiftieth anniversary celebration.
Unbeknownst to the recipients, seniors (aged 70 and over) who were attending the convention were awarded bronze medals. About thirty-two sheikhs received the award. Dr. Fouad and Leila Makassa, Mrs. Anis Assaf, Mrs. Afifi Al-Masri, Mrs. Salima Azzam, Uncle Jack and Lily Hamada, Mr. George Rafi, Mrs. Doris Bouchard, Mrs. Adele Williams Abu Al-Hassan, Mrs. Dorothy Hallawi, Dr. Richard Baz, Dr. Abdullah Najjar, Mr. Kamal Najjar, Mrs. Lillian Seifa, Mrs. Hisson Bou Murra, Mrs. Belle Taylor, Mrs. Florence Najjar, Mr. Amin Abu Khzam,
Mrs. Zabdan Radwan Jawhari, Mr. Anis Halima, Mr. Joseph Hamada, Mrs. Sally Hamada, Mr. Hussein Al-Awar, Mr. Suleiman Al-Awar, Mrs. Hajar Hamada, Mr. Amin Fares Al-Awar, Mr. Adel Najjar, Mrs. Helen Abu Ismail, Mrs. Amal Abu Hamdan, Mrs. Widad Radwan, and Mrs. Najla Moulin.
Ambassador Riad Tabara, Ambassador of Lebanon to the United States, was the guest of honor. Ambassador Riad Tabara said: You deserve praise for achieving higher education among your people. You have flourished abroad and become successful in all fields. You deserve praise for forming this American Druze Society, which you have kept alive here in these United States for fifty years. You should be praised for your good works for your people at home, and you should be praised for your good name in America.
Mr. Kamal Shehayeb, Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Convention, announced the opening ceremony of the photography exhibition. The photo exhibition showcases the story of the Druze in America over the past hundred years. The ribbon was cut by Mrs. Salima Azzam and Uncle Jack Hamada.
