Name ‘sake’

Community center renamed to honor area commissioner

Abdul "Al" Haidous stands outside the newly renamed
community center in Wayne which is now a
tribute to his 40-years of service to the city.

There have been some changes made at the former HYPE Athletics Center in Wayne which is now called the Abdul “Al' Haidous Community Center.

The name change, officials said, is in recognition of former Haidous' more than four-decades of service to the city as a councilman, mayor and now Wayne County Commission member.

A Democrat, he was first elected in November 2014 to represent the Wayne County Commission 11th District, which covers the cities of Belleville, Romulus and Wayne; Huron, Sumpter and Van Buren townships and part of the city of Westland. Haidous served as the mayor of the city of Wayne from 2001 until he was elected to the county commission. He served on the Wayne City Council from 1993 to 2001 and Board of Zoning Appeals from 1990-93. 

Haidous has served since 2007 as a board member for the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, better known as SMART, and has served as its chairman. He was a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Club of Wayne, an international ambassador for the Shriners Hospital for Children Moslem Temple Hospital Fund Drive, a member of The Salvation Army-Middlebelt Center advisory board and vice president of the Wayne Chamber of Commerce.

During his time as mayor, the city merged Fire and Parks & Recreation department services with the neighboring city of Westland and consolidating public safety dispatch with the cities of Westland and Inkster.

Prior to his career in public service, Haidous and his wife, Mary, owned and operated Al's Friendly Market for 35 years in the city of Wayne. They are the  parents of five children and have 12 grandchildren.

Haidous has been recognized for his service at the local, county and national levels, earning the Wayne Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year award in 1991.

The renaming celebration earlier this month was attended by family, friends, and elected officials from the communities Haidous continues to serve. Guest speakers included Professor Tallal Turfe, Crestwood School Board Member Hassan Beydoun, the Rev. Troy Mohammad, and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans.

Ali Sayed, the CEO of HYPE Athletics said it was an honor to recognize the achievements and successes Haidous has achieved. 

“He's the gem of the community, naming the center after him just made perfect sense.  He's deserving of this and more,” Sayed said.