AAI Bulletin

Arab American Rising Stars

Posted on Tuesday January 31, 2006

Hello everyone,

I appreciate all of your feedback on the weekly newsletter, and I hope you continue to find it useful and informative. Thank you for supporting AAI’s mission by passing this newsletter on to your friends and family, and by getting involved in your state. Now, let’s get to the news:

It’s That Time of Year Again…

The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2006 Kahlil Gibran ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Awards. This year’s Gibran recipients include Women for Women International and Habitat for Humanity. Governor John H. Sununu will be AAIF’s honored guest, as he receives the 2006 Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service. Have you purchased your tickets yet? Please visit our Gibran homepage for information on how you can attend AAI’s blacktie bash.

Arab American Political Junkies

In Washington State, the Arab American Community Coalition (AACC), chaired by Rita Zawaideh, issued the results of it’s “Needs Assessment Study of the Arab American Community of Seattle.” This study was funded by a grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. AAI charter member Amal Sedke Winter was a member of the committee which analyzed the demographics, language habits, health, youth and social/recreational/commercial services, as well as civil rights and political involvement of Seattle’s Arab American community. On the topic of political involvement, the assessment reveals that just over 64% of community members are registered voters, and of those who are U.S. citizens, 78% are registered to vote, with nearly 74% of registered voters having cast their ballots in the 2004 elections. Nearly 35% have written an elected official on an issue and almost 29% of participants have donated money to a U.S. political campaign. After receiving copies of the assessment, U.S. Senators Murray and Cantwell, as well as U.S. Representatives McDermot and Inslee have contact AACC to request meetings. Good work!

Florida is in Play…

Janan Al-Awar has been busy preparing for a comedy show at the Arab American Community Center of Orlando, a joint event with the Jewish Federation of Orlando, that will feature both Arab American and Jewish American performers. We are also proud to announce that Janan’s son, Karim Al-Awar, has just begun an internship in Senator Bill Nelson’s (D-FL) office in Washington, D.C. Congrats, Karim!

In California, Haifaa Moammar has been working with her state assemblywoman and Majority Whip of the CA Legislature, Karen Bass (D-47), to secure enough votes to pass civil rights resolution SJR 10, which passed the State Senate in 2006, but then came 3 votes shy of the supermajority it needed to pass the assembly. This resolution urges the state’s Congressional delegation to work to repeal any provisions of the U.S.A. Patriot Act that impinge on constitutional rights and liberties, and to oppose any pending or future legislation that does the same. It also resolves to ensure that state resources are not used toward actions that would violate the U.S. or State Constitutions, even those actions that might be authorized under the Patriot Act.

To let us know about your political activism, contact Valerie Smith at vsmith@aaiusa.org, or at 202 429-9210×14.

AAI Voices Your Concerns

On January 30, AAI joined leaders from the Arab, Muslim and South Asian communities in a meeting with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to discuss issues of concern to the Arab American community. AAI also stressed the need for the Department of Justice to communicate with our community, especially on controversial topics such as immigration reform, NSA domestic surveillance and FBI radiation monitoring programs.

A Rising Star

NPC member Sam Jammal will soon be starting an internship with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sam was the youngest Arab American delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention and appeared on Comedy Central’s Daily Show with Jon Stewart as the “Arabtino.” Jammal is currently pursuing a law degree at George Washington University where he worked as a research assistant at its International Human Rights Clinic and helped to found the law school’s ACLU chapter.

Elections in Palestine

AAI urges the Bush Administration to reject growing pressure to suspend financial aid to the Palestinians after Hamas’ stunning performance in the Jan. 25 Legislative Elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The USAID funds are allocated to assist the Palestinian people with infrastructure capacity building, promoting democratic reform, supporting higher education and promoting economic growth. AAI is leading a campaign to mobilize supporters to urge members of Congress to continue U.S. aid to the Palestinians. Stay tuned for information on what YOU can do to ensure that the Palestinians continue to get the support they need.

In the meantime, join thousands of other Americans in adding your name to a letter to the President Bush calling for sustained U.S. leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Joining the Political Mainstream

Dr. James Zogby’s work has helped empower Arab Americans for over 20 years. You can read more about how far we’ve come as a community, in the full article which appeared in the most recent edition of The Washington Diplomat.

AAI in the News

United Press International recently spoke with Dr. Zogby about a variety of issues including civil liberties, Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Read the entire interview here.

News Flash for Journalism Students

The Arab American Institute Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the Al Muammar Scholarships for Journalism, the most generous scholarship program of its kind offered to Arab American students. Beginning in 2006, up to four scholarship grants, valued at $5,000 each, will be awarded to eligible Arab American college students who are majoring in journalism. The scholarship is also open to college seniors who have been accepted to a graduate school of journalism. Applications must be postmarked by February 15, 2006.

That’s it for this week.

Regards,
Christine Saah Nazer

PS: We need your continuing support, so please don’t forget to renew your membership for 2006.