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Arab Americans Bring Their Culture, Concerns to the Forefront at Party Conventions

By Election Insider
AAI special report
Posted on Wednesday September 8, 2004

The Arab American Institute (AAI) and Foundation (AAIF) continued its historic role as the leader in Arab American political empowerment with a strong showing at the 2004 political conventions. Cultural tribute events were held at both the Democratic convention in Boston and the Republican convention in New York. The events were attended by almost 2,000 delegates, party officials, journalists, and local community members. “The cultural tributes allowed us to spotlight the Boston and New York Arab American communities, honor Arab American elected officials and delegates, and expose delegates from around the country to the richness and diversity of the Arab American community,” said Arab American Institute Foundation Executive Director Helen Samhan.

Congressman John Conyers with MI delegate Maya Berry

Boston’s Center for the Performing Arts was transformed into a quintessential Arabic marketplace for AAI’s “Meet Us at the Bazaar” replete with live music and traditional Arabic mezze, or buffet. Hundreds of delegates and Boston natives gathered to watch President Bill Clinton’s convention address and had the opportunity to meet Arab American Congressman Chris John, and popular Michigan Congressman John Conyers. Boston Arab Americans contributed a display of the community’s history including a tribute to renowned poet Kahlil Gibran. “We’ve been holding these events at every convention since 1988 and the Arab American delegation continues to grow both in number and influence,” said AAI President James Zogby.

Senator John E. Sununu, AAI Chairman George Salem, AAIF Exec. Dir. Helen Samhan, and Congressman Darrell Issa

Held at the Dahesh Museum of Art in midtown Manhattan, “An Arabian Night in New York” featured Arab American leaders Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Senator John E. Sununu, Congressman Darrell Issa, and Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. AAI Chairman George Salem remarked on the success Arab Americans have had in Republican politics. “Tonight we’ve been joined by an Arab American member of the President’s Cabinet and prominent members of both houses of Congress. The entire Arab American community can be proud of the success and leadership of these individuals.” Attendees included delegates from states as diverse as Arizona, Idaho, Georgia, and Texas. The Tarab Ensemble wowed the audience with a unique musical and dance performance and attendees were treated to a visual history of the New York Arab American community which has been contributing to the city’s development for over a century.

In addition to the cultural events held at both conventions, AAI sponsored forums in which influential policy makers from both parties debated issues of importance in this year’s election. The Democratic convention’s “Reclaiming America: Liberty and Global Responsibility,” which was cosponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), featured Senate Judiciary Committee Member Senator Dick Durbin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee Congressman John Conyers, former Ambassador Joe Wilson, African American Leadership Institute Director Dr. Ron Walters, Bob Borosage of the Campaign for America’s Future and pollster John Zogby of Zogby International (ZI). “Those early patriots that built the nation on the rule of law would oppose the ‘sneak and peak’ provisions [of the Patriot Act] permitting access to library, medical, mental health, Internet service provider, and business records without your knowledge,” said Carol Rose, executive director of the Massachusetts ACLU who moderated the panel with AAI President James Zogby. Durbin and Conyers, both prominent defenders of civil liberties in their respective houses of Congress, spoke of a “turning of the tide” against the Patriot Act and a “responsible center” coalition with concerns about its scope.

ATR President Grover Norquist addresses an audience of delegates, party officials, and journalists Seated (from L): Mr. David Aufhauser, Cong. Bob Barr

The Patriot Act, which has come under criticism from both liberals and conservatives, was the topic of the RNC’s “USA Patriot Act: Civil Liberties v. Civil Liabilities” cosponsored by the American Conservative Union. The panel featured former Congressman Bob Barr, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) President Grover Norquist, former Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs Director Barbara Comstock, and former Treasury Department General Counsel David Aufhauser and was moderated by AAI Chairman George Salem. Former New Hampshire Governor John H. Sununu attended the event and impressed the assembled delegates, party officials, and journalists with his remarks. “In times of crisis we move from a nation in which we want our laws to err in favor of individuals to a mode where we want our laws to err in favor of national security. This may be just for a short amount of time but what we have failed to do today is create a mechanism that allows errors that occur to be checked in the system. Being right most of the time is simply not good enough. We must create a mechanism that deals with politics or people who care about these issues will begin to loath the political process,” said Sununu.