(DETROIT, MI) — A nationwide delegation of Free Patriotic Movement leaders gathered in Detroit on Friday to begin a two-day political workshop and strategy conference to designate additional Tayyar representatives in underrepresented states.
The workshop is organized by local businessman Salim Sessine to shed light on minority Christians in the Middle East and connect with American political leaders and government representatives, including Paul Abbate, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division, who will address the group on Saturday.
“One of our long-term goals is to defend the presence of Christians in the Middle East, and try to educate our American friends and colleagues,” Sessine said. “We want to make sure we have presence throughout the United States.”
Tayyar representatives from New York, Florida, California, and Alabama gathered at the Community House in Birmingham, Mich. on Friday to kick-off political strategy dialogue, which will continue throughout the weekend.
“The purpose of this convention is to stay connected and organize ourselves,” said Norma Haddad, who came from New York to examine predicaments facing Lebanese Christians and potential lobbying solutions in Washington, DC. “We’re united on all political sides to do something for the Christians in Lebanon.”
Millions of Middle Eastern Christians fled the region since WWI, including a high influx of Lebanese Maronites, who left during the Lebanese Civil War.
WATCH Tayyar representatives discuss day one of the political workshop: