Get Involved!

Preserving Your Rights at the Polls

From AAI Bulletin
Posted on Wednesday June 28, 2006

Houston AAI member and ACC Director Brigette Zaback and Arab American Dania Dandashly recently met with John Tanner, chief of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Voting Section, in Houston.

Arab American 'Citizen Congressman'

From AAI Bulletin
Posted on Wednesday April 12, 2006

We are disappointed to report that Amir Omar (R-30th District) lost to Wilson Aurbach in Tuesday’s primary run-off in Texas. Omar got approximately 40% of the vote Aurbach got 60%. The Dallas Morning News endorsed Omar in an editorial on Sunday that said: “It is Mr. Omar who, we believe, has the charisma and fresh ideas to attract the crossover appeal necessary to be more than a blip in the election returns from this historically Democratic district. We respect his desire to work as a “citizen congressman” — especially on economic development issues that could transform the district.”

Be sure to check out Arab American Candidates in 2006 and please notify Valerie Smith if you know of anyone we may have missed.

Don't Mess with Texas

From AAI Bulletin
Posted on Wednesday March 8, 2006

Congratulations to Arab American candidate Amir Omar, who has advanced to a primary run-off election in Texas’ 30th Congressional District. Omar, of Palestinian and Persian descent, was recommended by the Dallas Morning News (Sun, Feb 5, 2006) which said, “It is Mr. Omar who, we believe, has the charisma and fresh ideas to attract the crossover appeal necessary to be more than a blip in the election returns from this historically Democratic district.” Omar trailed leading candidate Wilson Aurbach by only 298 votes out of a total 3593 votes cast in the 30th district Republican primary. Third place candidate was eliminated with only 697 votes. Omar and Aurbach will face off directly on April 11. The winner of that contest will face incumbent Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson in November.

Hany El-Qutub and at least 10 other Arab American activists have been busy running an aggressive Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign in Texas. As we reported last week, Hany El-Qutub, Dr. Abdel Kader Fustok, Ahmad Yaseen and Linda Sobeh put on a very successful candidates night at the Arab American Cultural & Community Center in Houston.

Political Activism

From AAI Bulletin
Posted on Wednesday March 1, 2006

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!

Arab American Leaders in Texas

From AAI Bulletin
Posted on Wednesday February 8, 2006

AAI National Policy Council (NPC) member Hany El-Qutub reports that Tom Campbell, candidate in the Republican primary for U.S. Representative in Texas’ 22nd district (Tom DeLay’s district), has scheduled meetings this weekend with the Arab Voter Coalition, the local chapter of the Palestinian American Congress, and AAI Board of Governors member Dr. Abdel Kader Fustok. Candidate Campbell has also committed to place campaign ads in local Arabic newspapers.