"As a governmental organization, the EEOC had made landmark contributions to the many causes that ADC champions," says Imad Hamad, ADC's Michigan Director. "Specifically, in its commitment to reach out to the community and assist the ADC in addressing abuses and alleged acts of discrimination. The EEOC's role within the Arab-American community in the aftermath of September 11 is noteworthy and exemplary."

The ADC emphasized the significant role played by the EEOC's Detroit District Office in reaching out to the large Arab and Muslim community in Dearborn.

Following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the EEOC launched a national enforcement, education, and outreach campaign to address harassment and discrimination against individuals who are or are perceived to be Arab, Muslim, Afghani, Middle Eastern, South Asian or Sikh, as well as those who faced retaliation in the workplace related to the events of 9/11. Among the actions taken by EEOC in the wake of 9/11 were:

• Established a new tracking code in EEOC's national charge data base to closely monitor 9/11 backlash charge filings.
• Processed and resolved more than 900 charges of discrimination related to 9/11, litigated 15 cases, and obtained a total of approximately $3.2 million dollars for aggrieved individuals (between 9/11/01 and 9/11/04).
• Coordinated with sister agencies at the Departments of Justice and Labor to issue a joint statement calling on employers to promote tolerance and guard against discrimination.
• Issued fact sheets, brochures, and Q&A documents in English and Arabic explaining how the federal anti-discrimination laws apply to post-9/11 backlash discrimination and outlining employer responsibilities.
• Translated EEOC brochures into Arabic and made presentations at Mosques, as well as to business, labor and civil rights groups about employee rights and employer responsibilities under the federal employment anti-discrimination laws.