AAI Bulletin
Political Activism From the Right and the Left
Posted on Tuesday February 28, 2006
Hello everyone,
We have been extremely busy with the Summit on Palestine and the US port security issue. I hope you are closely following developments on both as well. Over the past weeks, we have been working hard to counter the anti-Arab sentiment that has resulted from the port controversy, by providing the facts to the media. Please visit AAI’s website for more information.
Now, let’s get to the news:
Working Together for Palestine
Over 50 community leaders representing more than a dozen prominent Arab American and aid organizations attended the Summit for Palestine in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Feb. 17, to discuss the humanitarian and political consequences of suspending U.S. aid to the Palestinians and what can be done to inform the U.S. government about this issue.
Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs David Welch and the National Security Council’s Senior Director for Near East and North African Affairs Michael Doran met the delegation and answered questions about the U.S. position on aid to the Palestinians. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s John E. Sununu (R-NH) and the House International Relations Committee’s Darrell Issa (R-CA), briefed community leaders on the status of current legislation affecting Palestinian aid and other concerns regarding the relationship between the United States and the Palestinian people. A letter, signed by over 20 Arab American, Israeli-Palestinian peace, and relief organizations, was also sent to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, encouraging the Administration to continue US aid to the Palestinians. C-SPAN broadcast the press conference that was held immediately following the Summit.
The Summit was a success, and we look forward to building on that. Contact your representatives in Congress, and tell them that development assistance and humanitarian aid are vital to Middle East peace. The Palestinian people should not be punished for holding free and fair elections.
US Port Security
AAI has been deeply concerned about the controversy surrounding the proposed acquisition of London-based P&O Steam Navigation Company by Dubai’s DP World. While the issue of how to enhance port security should be discussed, the controversy has deteriorated into an irresponsible and ill-informed attack on the United Arab Emirates, an Arab country that has been a strong ally of the United States in our efforts to combat terrorism. The issue has compelled many to act.
AAI position statement: Political Posturing Should Not Trump Real Security Issues
Here are examples of Arab American activists who are doing their part to engage the media and politicians:
- Sherine El-Abd, member of the AAI Board of Governors, wrote a letter to Senator Thomas Kean Jr., member of the New Jersey State Legislature®, to express her concern about his comments on the port security issue. Sherine’s letter to The Bergen Record was also printed on Feb. 26.
- Additionally, the Homeland Security and Domestic Preparedness committee of the New Jersey State Assembly held a public hearing on the controversy on Feb. 27. Sherine El-Abd (Former Commissioner of Civil Rights, current Chair of the New Jersey Arab American Republican Caucus, and member of AAI’s Board of Governors), Samer Khalaf (member of New Jersey Arab American Democratic Caucus and member of AAI’s National Policy Council), and George Ajjan (NPC member), testified at the hearing.
- AAI member Mazin Elias, a law student at George Washington University, was featured as a guest columnist in the Morning Call a newspaper in his hometown of Allentown, PA.
Danish Cartoons Debate
Though the ports debate currently dominates the headlines, Arab Americans are still weighing in on the controversy over the Danish cartoons. Read AAI member Soha Hammad’s thoughts in her letter featured in the Washington Examiner on Feb. 23.
Political Activism From the Right and the Left
Taleb Salhab, Ali Baleed, Kenwah Dabaja and Dennis Denno were among the Arab American Democrats who attended the Michigan Democratic Party’s “Kickoff Convention” to learn more about the issues for the upcoming 2006 elections. They are pleased that one of the items at the top of the MI Democratic Party agenda this year will be defeating the “Michigan Civil Rights Initiative,” an anti-affirmative action proposal. This initiative is of concern to Michigan Arab Americans because it would affect funding for ESL classes and after-school programs important to the community. Participation in the effort to defeat the initiative also provides an opportunity to work in solidarity with other groups who would be impacted.
During the convention, Arab American Democrats were also able to renew acquaintances with party leaders, and sign up to help in the re-election campaigns of Governor Granholm and Senator Stabenow. They also committed to recruit additional Arab American political activists to participate in Michigan’s Progressive Democratic Political Action Training Program sessions to be held in March and April. For more information on the training program, visit www.justicecaucus.org.
AAI National Policy Council member Hani El-Qutub, Ahmad Yaseen and Linda Sobeh and AAI Board of Governors member Dr. Abdel Kader Fustok worked with the Muslim American Republican Caucus (MARC) to put on a very successful “Candidate and Community Meet and Greet Dinner” at the Arab American Cultural & Community Center in Houston. Over 40 elected officials, party leaders and candidates on the March 7th Republican primary election ballot interacted with over 300 Arab American and Muslim voters and activists. Among those who addressed the standing room only crowd were all four Republican candidates in Texas’ 22nd district congressional race: current U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, plus challengers Pat Baig, Tom Campbell and Michael Fjetland. The candidates were very impressed with the level of community turnout!
Please share your political involvement with us. Contact Valerie Smith at vsmith@aaiusa.org.
Grassroots Advocacy: Congratulations to Marwan Burgan
At the annual statewide Jefferson-Jackson day dinner in Richmond, VA, the Eleventh Congressional District Democratic Committee presented AAI National Policy Council member Marwan Burgan with its “Grass Roots Award” in recognition of his efforts to document the voting patterns and voting strength of Arab Americans and five other ethnic communities in Northern Virginia, and to increase their participation in the political process. Marwan has worked to inform new immigrants so they are ready to participate fully as soon as they become citizens. He has registered new Americans to vote not only as part of voter registration drives, but also as part of the campaigns for candidates in local, statewide, and presidential elections. Marwan has served as an active member of both the Fairfax County and 11th Congressional District Democratic Committees. He was the unanimous choice for this year’s award.
Have you Bought Your Tickets Yet?
It is time to mark your calendars for the 2006 Kahlil Gibran ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Awards Gala on May 3 in Washington, DC. The event recognizes individuals, corporations, organizations and communities whose work, commitment and support make a difference in promoting co-existence and inclusion in all walks of life. This year’s Gibran recipients include Women for Women International and Habitat for Humanity. Governor John H. Sununu will be AAIF’s honored guest, receiving the 2006 Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service. Be sure you are part of this special event by purchasing your tickets now.
Walk for Freedom
In the spirit of coalition building, attend this year’s Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk on April 1. The Nat’l Japanese American Memorial Foundation would very much like to see a sizeable Arab American presence this year. NJAMF received special recognition at the 2005 Gibran Awards. Let’s show our appreciation for the Japanese American community’s commitment to civil liberties.
That’s it for this week.
Regards,
Christine Saah Nazer
PS: Stay tuned for a new and improved AAI website in a matter of weeks…
