AAI Bulletin

The Politics of Exclusion

Posted on Tuesday March 28, 2006

Hello everyone,

This week is shaping up to be a busy one! So without further delay, here’s the news:

New Jersey Update

Last Saturday, the Passaic County’s Democratic Party withdrew their support for the nomination of Freeholder candidate and AAI National Policy Council member Sami Merhi. Arab American leaders had a meeting on Monday with New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine to discuss the Sami Merhi issue and concerns that national Democratic Party leaders have not moved to address Arab-bashing in its ranks. AAI has received calls from concerned Arab Americans across the country, including those in key battleground states where there are large concentrations of Arab Americans such as New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The Passaic County issue has gained national attention, and AAI is following developments closely.

More on the Politics of Exclusion

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) was the first to criticize the DP World deal and has been its most vocal opponent. If that wasn’t bad enough, Sen. Schumer took the shameful debate a step further: On March 20th, the New York Observer reported that when questioned by journalists who suggested that his opposition to the deal was a result of anti-Arab bias, Senator Schumer responded by saying: “Let’s say skinheads had bought a company to take over our port. I think the outcry would have been the same.” The senator’s remark is deplorable and AAI has requested an apology to the Arab American community.

A Royal Welcome in California

NPC member Dr. Raymond Jallow invited several Arab American leaders to join him in a reception honoring the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the U.S., Prince Turki Al-Faisal, for a luncheon conducted by Town Hall of Los Angeles at the Baltimore Hotel. Prince Turki discussed U.S.-Saudi relations and how to encourage tolerance among followers of Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

Green Eggs and Ham – and Hummus?

It was recently reported in The Washington Post that NPC member Marwan Burgan, a staff member in the office of Supervisor Penelope A. Gross (D-Mason), has been bringing a bowl of hummus to the annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser for several years to add Middle Eastern flair to the traditional Irish fare as a way to illustrate the growing diversity in Northern Virginia’s Fairfax County. Good thinking, Marwan: You can always get to people’s minds through their stomachs…

Kahlil Gibran ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Awards

We hope you have marked your calendar for the 2006 Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards Gala on May 3rd. This year’s event will include a tribute to the life and work of Moustapha Akkad who made a lasting contribution to American cinema. Congressman John Dingell will be honored for his 50 years of service to the U.S. Congress and friendship to the Arab American community. This year’s Gibran awardees include Women for Women International and Habitat for Humanity. Governor John H. Sununu will receive the 2006 Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service. The event is only a few weeks away, so purchase your tickets before they sell out.

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

Regards,
Christine Saah Nazer