AAI Bulletin

Are You Coming to the Gibran Awards Gala?

Posted on Tuesday April 11, 2006

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re having a good week. I want to take this opportunity to remind you that it is people like you who help us mobilize Arab Americans as a national constituency. Now more than ever, it is more important that AAI receives the time, effort and financial support of our community. Thank you for helping us with our mission by passing this newsletter on to your friends and family, and by getting involved in your state. Remember, you CAN make a difference.

And now to the news:

AAI Facilitates Visit by UAE Minister

United Arab Emirates Minister of Economy and Planning, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, will take part in the lighting ceremonies at the tomb of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King in a ceremony this Friday honoring the civil rights leader and his wife. On the heels of the Dubai Ports World deal, Sheikha Al Qasimi is in the U.S. for a series of meetings with American officials in financial and educational institutions, and with political and religious leaders. At AAI’s request, Sen. David Cappiello (R-Danbury) and Rep. William Hamzy (R-Plymouth) invited Sheikha Qasimi to visit Connecticut’s Legislature.

Arab American ‘Citizen Congressman’

We are disappointed to report that Amir Omar (R-30th District) lost to Wilson Aurbach in Tuesday’s primary run-off in Texas. Omar got approximately 40% of the vote Aurbach got 60%. The Dallas Morning News endorsed Omar in an editorial on Sunday that said: “It is Mr. Omar who, we believe, has the charisma and fresh ideas to attract the crossover appeal necessary to be more than a blip in the election returns from this historically Democratic district. We respect his desire to work as a “citizen congressman” — especially on economic development issues that could transform the district.”

Be sure to check out Arab American Candidates in 2006 and please notify Valerie Smith if you know of anyone we may have missed.

Rashid is a Rising Star

Congratulations to former AAI Intern David Rashid, who is now Director of Political Operations for Shannon Jones, candidate for the Republican nomination for the Ohio House of Representatives from the 67th district (a rural district that covers most of Warren county in SW Ohio). Jones is in a tight race with three other candidates, including the grandson and namesake of Corwin Nixon, who held the seat for 30 years before retiring in 1992. David enjoys engaging voters, listening to what is important to them and conveying that information back to the candidate, as well as working for someone who may have the opportunity to have an impact on the lives of the people in the district. Originally from Peoria IL, Rashid is now a junior at Miami University of Ohio. The primary election is on May 2nd.

Movers and Shakers in Michigan

AAI congratulates Charlene Mekled Elder, who has served Dearborn as a magistrate for the 19th District Court, on her appointment to serve Wayne County as a judge of the Third Circuit Court, Family Division. We applaud Judge Elder for her commitment to public service as she becomes the first Arab American woman to sit on the Wayne County Circuit court bench. You can read the official announcement of her appointment by the Governor, here.

Governor Jennifer Granholm will be participating in Judge Elder’s investiture, which takes place in Dearborn today at 4:00 pm in the Fordson High School Auditorium at 13800 Ford Road.

Also in Michigan, AAI Michigan Action Team member Ken Harb has taken advantage of the current Congressional recess to visit his U.S. Representative, Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI 11th). Since McCotter serves on the House International Relations Committee’s sub-committee on the Middle East and South Asia, U.S. Policy toward Israel-Palestine was a major topic of discussion during the meeting. Ken discussed his concerns about local issues with the Congressman as well. The congressional recess lasts through Friday, April 21.

Do you have an issue you’d like to discuss with your representative? Now’s the time: Find your U.S. Representative’s district office contact information by visiting http://capwiz.com/arab/dbq/officials/

Kahlil Gibran ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Awards

The Gibran Awards always attracts a host of prominent guests from political, diplomatic, media and business circles. This year’s May 3 gala at the JW Marriott will be no exception. Among attendees already confirmed are NIH Director Elias Zerhouni, General Wesley Clark, U.S. Senator John E. Sununu, Reps. Nick Rahall and Darrell Issa, and the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Yemen. We are delighted that Malek Akkad will be with us for the video tribute to his late father, Moustapha Akkad. Seats are going fast so reserve yours online. Discounts for non-profits and students are also available through April 15.

That’s it for this week. Please share your news with us by contacting Valerie Smith at vsmith@aaiusa.org.

Regards,
Christine Saah Nazer
Communications Director