AAI Bulletin

Arab American Gains Gubernatorial Appointment

Posted on Tuesday June 27, 2006

Hello everyone,

It has been a busy week at AAI. By now you’ve heard the news about what’s happening in Palestine. Today, AAI condemned Israel’s ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip, which already has destroyed a power station and three bridges and resulted in the loss of water and electricity to 1.3 million impoverished Palestinians. You can read the full statement here.

Without further adieu, the news:

Organizing in Ohio

Jeffrey Kassouf, a member of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee, recently organized a meeting to establish a group calling itself the “Progressive Democrats of Cuyahoga County”. At the meeting, 20 Cuyahoga County Democrats committed to join this group, which intends to become both a formal chapter of the and an official caucus of the Cuyahoga County and Ohio Democratic Party.

Jeff’s wife Deneen Kassouf is also active – at a recent meeting of the Westside Democrats, she signed up to volunteer on the campaign of Jennifer Brady, the new candidate for Ohio State Representative (16th District). Brady is replacing City Prosecutor Michael 0’Shea, who withdrew from the race, on the ballot. Deneen is now calling precinct committee people to make them aware of this new candidate, and solicit their support for her election campaign. For more information about both candidates in this race, click here.

Preserving Your Rights at the Polls

Houston AAI member and ACC Director Brigette Zaback and Arab American Dania Dandashly recently met with John Tanner, chief of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Voting Section, in Houston. The meeting was part of Tanner’s Texas tour to discuss potential voting discrimination issues that the Houston and Austin Arab American community could face. A major discriminatory practice discussed was the denial of non-English speaking voters of their right to assistance while casting their ballot if they cannot write, see the ballot, or understand the language in which it is written. Tanner said that the single best method of ensuring that Arab Americans aren’t disenfranchised is to have Arab Americans working at the polls on Election Day.

When you go to vote this fall, be aware of your rights as a voter. For more information about Federal Voting Rights laws visit the Department of Justice’s website.

Arab American Gains Gubernatorial Appointment

AAI member Saba Shami was recently appointed as one of the deputy commissioners of Virginia’s Department of Agriculture. His knowledge of the Arab world and Arabic language and his business expertise, make Saba an asset to Virginia producers and a key facilitator between Virginia producers and Arab consumers abroad. As Director of the Virginia Taskforce for Business Development with the Near East, he is responsible for organizing events which promote international trade with Virginia. Saba worked on Tim Kaine’s gubernatorial campaign in 2004, serving as Chair of New and Ethnic Outreach and later as a member of the Governor’s Transition Team. Previously, he had served as advisor for ethnic affairs to former Governor Mark Warner. Saba has been involved in politics for over two decades. Congratulations, Saba.

Please share your news on events and political activism with AAI’s Community Relations Director Valerie Smith.

Muslim Youth Camp

AAI Charter Member Manzoor Ali was recently quoted in the Iowa City Press Citizen in conjunction with his role as President of Muslim Youth Camps of America (MYCA). AAI National Policy Council Member and his son Jalel Aossey have also been very involved in proposing that land near the Coralville Reservoir in Eastern Iowa which has been under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers be used to develop a youth camp with programs designed for Muslim youth. Since the camp will be open to youth of all faiths, as well as to use by non-profit organizations during the off-season, the Corps of Engineers is now leasing the land free to MYCA “as long as the camp benefits the United States” and achieves “a sufficient level of building or planning” as outlined in the lease. Camp officials will soon be submitting a facility plan to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in order to secure a wastewater permit. Manzoor said: “We are following the schedule according to [the government agencies]. We hope to start the first construction phase in July.” Congratulations to these AAI members on successfully developing plans to use public land for the betterment of the Arab and Muslim communities in particular and the nation at large as well!

Stop Bill on Palestinian Christians

We asked and you answered the call…Recently, we asked you to call your member of Congress to voice your opposition to a proposed bill in the House of Representatives concerning the Palestinian Christian community’s supposed “persecution” by the Palestinian Authority. Over 100 of you made the call and several Congressional offices have called AAI to ask for more information about Palestine. The bill’s introduction has been postponed, so you still have time to make a difference. Click for your representative’s phone number and talking points.

AAI marked United Nations World Refugee Day on June 20 by sending a letter to CNN thanking the cable network for its special coverage of refugees and the Palestinian people. CNN aired a segment about the plight of the Palestinians who were displaced in 1948 and those who are currently suffering under bleak humanitarian conditions. AAI hopes that World Refugee Day will help draw awareness about the enormity of the problem and encourage the world to find lasting solutions for millions of displaced people worldwide.

Regards,
Christine Saah Nazer
Communications Director