On Friday, July 15, 2016 at 10:00a.m., The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA), the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Muslim Unity Center of Bloomfield Hills hosted a U.S. Citizenship Ceremony for 64 new citizens representing 30 different countries. The ceremony was held at the Muslim Unity Center in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for the first time in that area. Over 250 people including Consul General Mr. Juan Manuel Solana Morales, Mexico, Consul General, Mr. Douglas George, CANADA, Consul General Mrs. Elena Zarkovska, Macedonia, Michigan State Police, former U.S. Attorney Jeff Collins, Sam Yono of the IVC in Detroit, Oakland County Clerk/ Register of Deeds Lisa Brown, Kevin Hrit, District Director Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Jeremy Kaplan | Constituent Outreach Coordinator – Oakland, Congresswoman Brenda L. Lawrence, Mr. Khaled Turaani, CEO for Life & Relief & Development and the new citizens attended the ceremony amidst great feeling of joy and pride.
Mr. Ron Savage, renowned and esteemed TV News Anchor and Reporter of MY Fox TV, Chanel 2 in Detroit, served as the master of the ceremony adding to the rich diversity of the audience. The West Bloomfield Police Honor Guard made the presentation of the Colors.
The Honorable Patricia Morris of the Eastern District Court of Michigan presided over the ceremony and conducted the oath for the new citizens. USCIS officials, Mr. Mick Dedvukaj, Mike Klinger and Dan Broughton delivered remarks and welcomed the new citizens to the nation. Mr. Tarik Baraka of the Muslim Unity Center welcomed the guests to the center and extended warm congratulations to the new fellow citizens. Attorney Isaac Robinson, AHRC’s Secretary delivered the American Human Rights Council’s (AHRC-USA) remarks highlighting the privilege of citizenship in a nation of immigrants, and the land of the free where justice, liberty and human rights are precious basic rights in America.
Mr. Khodor Farhat, a naturalized citizen and a rising young leader was the ceremony’s guest speaker who delivered very inspiring and motivational remarks highlighting his journey to become a U.S. Citizen and the opportunities he gained as a blind man in America.
AHRC-USA, along with the Muslim Unity Center expresses their appreciation to the USCIS for conducting such a beautiful experience in the Bloomfield Hills area. Once again, AHRC-USA extends its warm congratulations to all new citizens for joining our great American nation. AHRC-USA also commends West Bloom Field Hills Police department for their efforts in making the ceremony safe, and for being part of the program.
“It was very moving and gratifying to witness such a precious occasion as people becoming part of the American dream,” said Imad Hamad. AHRC Executive Director. “These ceremonies show-case America at its best where people rooted to all parts of the world join the American mosaic as one big American family,” continued Hamad.