AAI Bulletin

News from the Community

Posted on Tuesday January 24, 2006

Hello everyone,

I hope this note finds you well. The Arab American Institute is committed to the civic and political empowerment of Arab Americans. A key component contributing to our success is enabling our community to take a visible and active role in campaigns and elections across the country. Read on to find out what others like you are doing in their communities. 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.

All Politics is Local

As we noted last week, AAI is renewing its focus on increasing Arab American participation in the local committees of the Democratic and Republican parties. Approaching filing deadlines include: Colorado (Feb. 11); Ohio (Feb. 16); and Pennsylvania (Feb. 21). If you live in one of these states, you’ll hear more from us soon.

News From Iowa Caucuses

Without the media attention of a presidential election year, the Iowa caucuses were held on Jan. 16. In Johnson County, Newman Abuissa was newly elected to the Central Committee, and to chair the international affairs sub-committee of the county platform committee.

In Linn County, Joe and Laila Aossey were elected delegates to their County Convention, as was Jordan Trcka, who also chaired his caucus, was re-elected to the County Central Committee and will serve on the “Committee on Committees” for the County Convention.

In Polk County, Nader Ajluni submitted resolutions calling for the U.S. to strive to resolve world conflicts peacefully through the United Nations rather than through military force, and strongly urging the U.S. to lead a world effort to secure nuclear weapons around the world. Both resolutions were passed by his precinct caucus and will be discussed at the county convention.

In other Iowa Arab American political news, Bill Aossey has pledged to begin fundraising for the gubernatorial campaign of current Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver. Miriam Amer arranged a meeting between 1st District congressional hopeful Bill Gluba and members of the Arab American and Muslim community where his ideas for peace in the Middle East were discussed. At the meeting, Presbyterian Peacemakers and AAI charter members Darrell and Sue Yeaney invited candidate Gluba to join them on an educational trip to the Middle East. He responded that he would be delighted to go on a tour soon after the June 6 primary.

Postcard from Michigan

AAI Director of Community Relations Valerie Smith recently returned from a 4-day trip to Michigan. While there, she witnessed the swearing-in by Congressman John Dingell of this year’s Arab American Resource Corps members, including the AAI Foundation’s own Cultural Outreach Specialist, Rudy Gharib, originally of the AAI Southern California Action Team. Valerie also spent two days attending the 4th Annual conference of the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), which brings together independent, local, non-profit, social service organizations of which AAI Foundation is an affiliate. The NNAAC has developed a joint advocacy program to address local issues on a national level, ensuring that its program will compliment AAI’s mission to mobilize voters and advocate on national policy issues. Kudos to all the folks at ACCESS who have initiated and developed both the ARC and the NNAAC and hosted a great conference!

Valerie also attended the kickoff party for former Farmington Hills City Councilman John Akouri’s new monthly magazine “Lebanese: The Art of Mediterranean Living,” and met with Michigan State Representative Barbara Farah (District 13), who is running for re-election to a third term in office. She concluded the trip with an important and energetic planning meeting with Michigan members of AAI’s National Policy Council (NPC) Kenwah Dabaja (Dearborn Heights), Jumana Judeh (Dearborn), Councilwoman Suzanne Sareini (Dearborn), Ali Baleed Al-Maklani, Sally Shaheen Joseph (Flint) and Dennis Denno (East Lansing). The NPC members were joined by Zoning Board of Appeals member Ken Harb and Zeinab Hussein, who is currently interning for Councilwoman Sareini. A coordinated effort to elect more Arab American precinct delegates in both parties across the state was established (filing deadline – May 16), and plans for a candidates night to bring the statewide candidates together with the Arab American community in Michigan were initiated. Many updates were made to AAI’s Roster of Arab Americans in Public Service and Political Life. Thanks to all who attended.

Palestinian Voters Engaged But Cynical

As confidence in the peace process and the Palestinian Authority wanes, Palestinians appear to be concerned with their own internal needs, according to a poll conducted by Zogby International in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Jan. 10. The numbers indicate that Fateh is holding a lead over Hamas, though Hamas is showing strength in both the West Bank and Gaza. With several minor candidates doing better than expected, the Fateh edge appears to have decreased in recent weeks. Less than one-half believe that the outcome of this election will make any real change in the Palestinian situation. In fact, if the environment were different, the outcome, itself, might be quite different, as well.

‘The Arabs Are Coming to Hollywood’

The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival will be in Los Angeles from January 24th to 26th. Be sure to get your tickets to see Ahmed Ahmed, Maysoon Zayid, and other Arab American comedians bring humor to southern California.

Student Scholarship Opportunity

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.

Save the Date

Plans for the Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards are in full swing. Please mark your calendars for May 3, 2006, to celebrate equality, understanding and generosity – and a little glitz and glamour. Have you reserved your ticket yet?

That’s it for this week.

Regards,

Christine Saah Nazer
AAI Communications Director

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