LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of Mohammed Abdrabboh to serve as a member of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.

“Mohammed will work with the commission in ensuring that the citizens of Michigan are treated fairly and equally,” Granholm said.  “He has been a longtime advocate and fighter for civil rights, and I have no doubt that he will continue to protect our communities from discrimination.  Our diversity is among our state’s greatest resources – protecting civil rights protects the mosaic of that diversity.”

Abdrabboh, a Dearborn resident, is a practicing attorney and partner with the Dearborn law firm of Ayad & Abdrabboh.  The firm represents clients in the areas of criminal law, immigration, and civil rights.  Since September 11, Abdrabboh has represented hundreds of victims of racial profiling and discrimination throughout the United States. 

Previously, Abdrabboh was a legal researcher, spokesperson, and consultant to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights-Geneva and for Al-Haq-Law in the Service of Man in Ramallah, West Bank.  He also spent a summer in Jerusalem in 2000, teaching master’s degree students a course in American law at Al-Quds University Law School.

Abdrabboh is a member of the Michigan Task Force Against Hate Crimes, as well as a board member, chairman of the advisory board, and legal counsel to the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.
Abdrabboh earned his law degree from the University of Toledo and holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania. 

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission investigates alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, or physical or mental disabilities and works to secure the equal protection of such civil rights without discrimination.