Akouri, Tawk Top List of Lebanese Officials Meeting with Turkish Leaders in the United States on the Eve of 2011

BIRMINGHAM, MI/USA – Lebanese and Turkish Leaders in the United States met on the eve of 2011 tonight as The Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM) and Honorary Consul General of Turkey, Her Excellency Nurten Ural, hosted a special dinner reception honoring Lebanese American leaders. The dinner party was held at the posh Zazios of Birmingham on historic Woodward Avenue. This evening’s event confirms that TACAM plans to continue work on its most important strategy, that of strengthening the voice of the Turkish American community while collaborating with other ethnic communities in 2011.

In his welcoming speech, TACAM President Feridun Bek stated that TACAM successfully participated in the annual LEBFEST! 2010 Lebanese Festival which was held this past summer in Rochester Hills, Michigan. With this gathering, the association wanted to thank Lebanese-American leaders as well as TACAM event manager Elif Cila and ensure a systematic development of Turkish – Lebanese friendship, political and cultural relations by creating a synergy between the two communities. Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) TABAN director Yenal Küçüker, emphasized the value of such important partnerships and the strength that these partnerships provide for successful advocacy.

Honorary Consul General Ural, remarked on the significance of Lebanese – Turkish American relations and provided brochures printed specifically to highlight these relations. Acting Consul General of Lebanon to Detroit, His Excellency Bachir S. Tawk, indicated that the recent removal of the visa requirements between the two countries would indeed strengthen the relations. President & CEO of the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce (LACC) John Akouri emphasized the natural ties and positive history between the two nations suggested bringing the Lebanese and Turkish communities in America together with more events in 2011. TACAM Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network (TABAN) Committee Chair Ümit Menemenci, presented a TACAM 2011 Leadership plaque to Councilman Akouri for his contributions to the development of Lebanese – Turkish relations.

A special treat of the evening came when Executive Chef Matt Schellig addressed those assembled on the meal they should be prepared to indulge in, and the origins of the cuisine. In addition to Akouri and Tawk, also attending the reception were: LACC Chairman of the Board Louis J. Peters, Jr., General Counsel Jeffrey Lance Abood, Advisory Board Member Abe Karam, Executive Leadership Members Kamal Shouhayib, Frank Mamat and Fadi Achour, as well as Dr. Tony Abood, Sam Attisha, Ed Babbie, Senna Shehadeh, Yasmine Shouhayib, Nicole Mator, Ely Tawk, and Jackie & Suzy Tarzibashi. Community leaders and businessmen who participated the gathering, indicated how delighted they were to see a Lebenase – Turkish collaboration and were looking forward to future events.