The Creation of ACLA
 In Fall 2004, Dania Majid, Ameena Sultan, Michael Fahkri, Faisal Bhabha, and Jerry Khouri began working towards forming an association for Arab Canadian lawyers. The vision was to create an organization that would facilitate and strengthen the network of Arab Canadian lawyers, assist law students and junior lawyers develop their legal skills, and become a much-needed legal resource for the growing Arab community in Canada. Together they assembled the mission, goals, and objectives for the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association.
In early 2005, planning commenced on the Inaugural Event to launch the new organization, attract members, and implement ACLA's initiatives. Professor Reem Bahdi was invited to be an honoured guest and speak about the Palestinian Judicial Education Program and how Canadian judges were assisting their Palestinian counterparts develop their judicial system. Professor Bahdi provided the founding members with valuable guidance and assistance in launching ACLA.
The Inaugural Event was held on June 1, 2005 at the historic Campbell House in Toronto. The Honoured Guests—Chief Justice Allan Lutfy and Justice Douglas Campbell of the Federal Court and Professor Reem Bahdi of Windsor Law School—were joined by approximately 50 members and supporters to officially launch ACLA. |
