FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2025
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Washington, D.C. | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) announced the second round of distinguished names scheduled to speak at ArabCon 2025, including Michigan Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, and Slow Factory co-founder Céline Semaan, among others.
ArabCon 2025 convenes at a critical moment, calling on Arab Americans and allies from around the nation to transform the lessons of our collective past into decisive action. Under this year’s theme, “We’ve Been Here Before,” attendees will unite through shared struggles and triumphs—defending our rights against censorship, protecting our stories from erasure, and celebrating our community’s resilience, creativity, and enduring contributions to America’s cultural, civic, and economic landscape. ArabCon takes place September 25–28 at the Ford Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan.
Newly announced speakers include:
- Rep. Alabas Farhat, Member of the Michigan House of Representatives, 3rd District.
- Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, Mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, and former Michigan State Representative.
- Aida Salah, San Diego educator and activist focused on educational equity and supporting first-generation college-bound students. Delegate of the National Education Association.
- Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Democratic Senate candidate and physician. Host of the America Dissected podcast and author of Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide.
- Céline Semaan, Lebanese-Canadian researcher, designer, and activist. Co-founder and Executive Director of Slow Factory. Serves on the Progressive International’s Council.
- Dr. Samia Shoman, 20-year education advocate, teacher and administrator in the San Mateo Union High School District.
- Manar Waheed, civil rights attorney formerly at Meta and the ACLU. Served as President Obama’s Deputy Policy Director for Immigration at the White House Domestic Policy Council.
Additional speakers and programming details will be announced soon.
For more information, visit www.arabcon.org.