By Dearborn Department of Public Information Director Mary Laundroche
December 12, 2005

Conference Vice President Dearborn Mayor Michael A. Guido was one of only two speakers at a ground-breaking conference on Muslim relations, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and held in Brussels, Belgium November 16 through 18.

The U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Tom Korologos invited Guido to give a presentation on how Muslim residents can successfully participate in all aspects of a community.

Guido spoke of Dearborn’s successes in maintaining a unified community while welcoming residents from more than 80 nationalities and ethnic backgrounds, including Muslims from the Arab world. Guido shared insights into the benefits and challenges that such diversity can bring to any city.

In addition, Guido highlighted Muslim residents’ achievements in education, business, political involvement and neighborhood life in Dearborn. About 30 percent of Dearborn’s residents are Muslims, with a heritage from the Arab world.

“It was a privilege to share Dearborn’s story,” said Guido. “Our city is a good example that your background is not as important as your willingness to work toward the common good of your community. It also illustrates the benefit in making sure all residents have the same opportunities to contribute to their community.”

Guido spoke November 16, followed by Genk, Belgium Mayor Jef Gabriels, who talked November 17. Like Dearborn, Genk also has a Muslim population and a practice of welcoming immigrants.

At the end of the conference, Guido and Gabriels agreed to pursue a relationship through Sister Cities International because of similarities in business and industry, educational opportunities, tourism and government. Their experience with minority and ethnic integration was also a factor in the sister city initiative.

By being a host of the conference, Korologos was building on the U.S. initiative to reach out to Muslims in western Europe. The conference was planned before the social unrest began in France, but highlighted the need for improving Muslim relations.

With the theme of “Muslim Communities Participating in Society: A Belgian-U.S. Dialogue,” the conference brought together 32 Muslim leaders from the United States and about 70 from Belgium.

Designed to encourage frank dialogue between the Americans and the Belgians, the meeting focused on smaller group discussions rather than lectures.

Several initiatives came out of the conference, including promised exchanges between the American and Belgian groups. The exchanges will focus on empowerment for Muslim women, and special seminars for imams, principals and educators from Muslim schools, and members of the media.