AAI Bulletin

Out of the cold and into the new

Posted on Tuesday March 14, 2006

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the seventh edition of our weekly newsletter. As winter marches on, we’re out of the cold and into the new, that’s our motto here at AAI. As we look ahead, we’re excited to share several exciting bits of news:

Welcome Nidal Ibrahim!

The Arab American Institute (AAI) is delighted to announce the hiring of Nidal Ibrahim to serve as our new Executive Director. Ibrahim comes to AAI after leading the Arab American Business Magazine since its launch in February 2000. He will work directly with AAI President Dr. James Zogby and AAI Foundation Executive Director Helen Samhan to implement the organization’s Strategic Plan. Ibrahim’s principal responsibilities will be to manage the operations of the AAI national office and expand the reach of AAI’s political, policy and research programs. His first day will be Monday, March 20. We look forward to working with you!

Making an Impact in Iowa

In Iowa, AAI National Policy Council Member, Newman Abuissa, Chair of the International Affairs subcommittee of the Johnson County Democrats’ Platform Committee, succeeded in seeing resolutions on Iraq and Israel/Palestine passed at the county convention. The following are excerpts from the resolutions:

On Iraq: “We support the withdrawal of the American forces from Iraq as rapidly as possible with incremental transfer of policing and security to Iraqi authority, collaborative international rebuilding of Iraq under Iraqi authority, and treatment of all captured and surrendering combatants as prisoners of war under Geneva Accords protections.

On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “We support a two-state solution based on international law and all relevant UN resolutions to achieve a just and comprehensive solution in a specific timeframe, and the right of return of Palestinians which should be determined by negotiations without the use of force or expulsion. We oppose all forms of violence, especially terrorism directed at civilian populations of both sides; any statements or actions by the US administration or Congress which prejudice the final status of Jerusalem without final negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians; the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian land in 1967 and the Israeli settlements on the Palestinian lands which we believe are the roots of the conflict and a great deterrent to meaningful negotiations; and providing arms to Israel without making a determination of Israel’s compliance with the Arms Export Control Act to avoid all repressive military measures against Palestinian civilians.

These two resolutions were based on a variety of similar resolutions passed at a number of precinct caucuses, of which some were based on AAI position statements. As Chair of the International Affairs subcommittee, Newman was in a position to draft the specific language to be introduced at the county level. He reports that there was discussion of these items during platform committee meetings, but they were not challenged at the county convention itself.

Newman has also been elected a delegate to the district and state conventions, so he will have the opportunity to speak in favor of these resolutions if they are challenged.

Please share your political involvement with us. Please contact Valerie Smith at vsmith@aaiusa.org.

Kahlil Gibran ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Awards

This year’s gala is shaping up to be an inspiring event. The 2006 program will include a tribute to the life and work of Moustapha Akkad who made a lasting contribution to American cinema and a special recognition to Representative John Dingell for his 50 years of service to the U.S. Congress and friendship to the Arab American community. This year’s Gibran recipients include Women for Women International and Habitat for Humanity. Governor John H. Sununu will be AAIF’s honored guest and will receive the 2006 Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service. Be sure you are part of this special event on May 3, 2006, by purchasing your tickets now, before they are sold out.

Watch Your Mailboxes

In early April, you should be receiving our retooled quarterly publication, AAInsider (formerly called Issues), chock-full of news and information about what we’re doing, and you’ll also be introduced to AAI’s staff. Stay tuned.

AAIF Youth Leadership Program

The deadline for the Helen Abbot and the Raymond Jallow scholarships is fast approaching. The two AAIF Youth Leadership Awards honor Arab Americans under age 30 for their public and community service. This year’s application deadline is April 1st; successful candidates will be notified in early May. For more information, please e-mail Rudy Gharib at rgharib@aaiusa.org or visit: http://aaiusa.org/students/for_students.htm.

That’s it for this week.

Regards,
Christine Saah Nazer

PS: Is your AAI membership current? Join here!