SEPTEMBER 2022

OPINION
The perils of insurance
while Middle Eastern
The problems of racial
and religious animus
are unfortunately ongoing
challenges for Michiganders
with ancestry from
the Middle East or who adhere
to the Islamic faith.
These challenges exist despite
the density of Arab
and Chaldean Americans
and American Muslims
who reside in Southeastern
Michigan.
Although issues such as
hate crimes against persons within
these demographics are not common
in our region, what is an ongoing
problem is the issue of discrimination
that takes place from the private
sector. To be more specific, there
are growing concerns about unfair
treatment from insurance companies
against Arab and Chaldean Americans,
be they Christians or Muslims.
Discriminatory practices by insurance
companies against racial and
ethnic minorities is not a new phenomenon
in America. Systematic racism
against African Americans as it relates
to increased rates to denial of automobile
and life insurance is a phenomenon
that is as American as cherry pie.
In May of this year, a federal
judge in Michigan denied an appeal
for summary judgment by Michigan
Farm Bureau, which will send to
trial a lawsuit filed by Al Jamoua, a
Chaldean American who claims discrimination
by the insurance company
against Arabs and Chaldeans.
The plaintiff, who is a former agent
of Michigan Farm Bureau, claims
with corroborating evidence that
the insurance company systemically
discriminates against both Arab and
Chaldean agents and customers.
From claims that Jamoua sold too
many policies to “his own people,”
to the company setting purportedly
higher rates for customers in Dearborn,
Oak Park, Sterling Heights
and Warren, areas with large concentrations
of Arabs, Chaldeans and
Muslims, Michigan Farm Bureau has
much to answer for. Hence based
DAWUD WALID
SPECIAL TO
THE CHALDEAN
NEWS
There are growing
concerns about unfair
treatment from
insurance companies
against Arab and
Chaldean Americans.
upon these claims and other
reported facts as well as concerns
voiced to CAIR-MI, it
is highly probable that the
macro issue of insurance
discrimination that negatively
impacts African Americans
also effects Arab and
Chaldean Americans in our
region.
As we are assisting legal
counsel in this case, CAIR-
MI is concerned about insurance
discrimination being a
broader constituent problem. Hence,
we are releasing an online Insured
While Muslim Survey to gauge this issue
and to potentially take further action
against the insurance industry in
Michigan. Whether there is a broader
industry issue or just a problem with
a particular company, we have to play
our part to hold those accountable
who mock our communities and discriminate
against and overcharge us
based upon our ethnicities and religious
backgrounds.
Dawud Walid is currently the executive
director of the Michigan chapter of the
Council on American-Islamic Relations
(CAIR-MI) based in Canton, Michigan
and is a member of the Imams Council
of Michigan.
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SEPTEMBER 2022 CHALDEAN NEWS 7