Yalla Change

Be part of the change!

AAI is doing its part, and we want to make it easier for you to be part of Yalla Change. Here are a few ways you can get involved in the coming weeks. And remember—members of Congress return home to their districts for summer recess in August. This is a great time to visit or call their offices and tell them that you’re invested in seeing real change on these issues. AAI has put together some helpful tips on how to request a meeting and schedule a personal visit.

Bridging the divide between America and the Arab world

What we’re doing: We’re touring the country, talking about two of the most important resources we’ve issued in the last year: Arab Voices and our latest poll on Arab attitudes toward the U.S. We’re using hard data, anecdotes from our 26 years in the field, and good old common sense to illuminate the myriad voices, priorities, and aspirations of the Arab world, to highlight our similarities, and to promote our common goals. And we’re providing members like you with the resources you need to organize forums, teach-ins, and educational sessions on the Arab world, including speakers, literature, and more.

What you can do: Get the conversation going in your community by volunteering to talk about Arabs, Islam, or the Arab American experience at your kid’s school, or recommending Arab Voices as your next book club pick.

Eradicating Islamophobia and anti-Arab/anti-Muslim fear-mongering, particularly from our country’s leaders

What we’re doing: We’ve hosted hearings on Capitol Hill, and we’re planning more in the coming months. We’re issuing a questionnaire that will get candidates on the record about hate speech and Islamophobia. And we’re mobilizing Americans to take action on state and federal laws and proposals—the good and the bad. 

What you can do: Ask your member of Congress to support House Resolution 283, calling for the government to take steps to counter the growth of anti-Muslim sentiment, rhetorical attacks, and violence against Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South Asian communities. Speak out against the “anti-Sharia” and anti-immigrant bills making their way through state legislatures by writing letters to the editor, or contacting your representatives. Work with AAI to set up a town hall meeting in your community to talk about these issues with your neighbors and your political leaders.

Utilizing Arab Americans’ insights and their expertise on the Arab world, and giving them a greater role in analysis and decision-making toward the Middle East and North Africa

What we’re doing: We’re the training ground for young Arab Americans who are making their way to positions on the Hill, in the Department of State, and even in the Administration. And we work closely with every Administration to nominate Arab Americans for key positions on Commissions and Boards.

What you can do: Send us your resume, so we can send it on to the White House. Tell us about young Arab Americans who want to intern with NGOs or government agencies here in Washington. Attend one of our Emerging Leaders events and get to know the Arab Americans who are making a difference in the media, in business, and on the Hill. 

Encouraging growth, development, and opportunity in the Arab world.

What we’re doing: We’re working directly with the Administration to form the Arab American Business Council, which will drive investment to key areas in the Arab world. And we’re talking to federal agencies about measures they can and should take to stimulate economic, democratic, and social development overseas.

What you can do: If you are a business person, get in touch with AAI and the Arab American Chamber of Commerce—we’re providing access to investment opportunities and government programs that facilitate business development in the Middle East. If you are in public service, we want to connect you to government agencies and NGOs that are shoring up the nascent democracies in the Arab world. And in all cases, we need your help to defeat legislative efforts to stop U.S. assistance to Arab countries.

Acting as an honest, impartial broker in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process—thereby restoring American credibility in the Middle East.

What we’re doing: Sadly, it seems that at least once a week we’ve got a story to post regarding the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Palestine. We’re keeping our members and supporters informed with the most up-to-date information on how Washington and the world are responding to the growing crisis in the region.

What you can do: Stay tuned to aaiusa.org to find out what letters, bills, and proposals are coming up for votes. Keep asking your representatives to do the right thing on this issue—and remember to thank them when they do. Challenge faulty information in your local paper by writing letters to the editor. Work with our coalition partners to support a balanced U.S. policy. We’re doing this in Washington, and we want to help you do the same in your community. We can’t make change alone, but together we can make a difference.

Remember that we’ll be rolling out Yalla Change at AAI’s National Leadership Conference, being held in Dearborn, Michigan from Sept. 30-Oct. 2. We’ll hear from the presidential campaigns and candidates, elected officials, and party leaders. We’ll have policy forums on Islamophobia, civil rights, immigration reform, the impacts of the Arab Spring at home and abroad, US foreign policy priorities, and more. And we’ll have sessions about creating local campaigns, building effective coalitions, maximizing social media, and on-the-ground organizing.

This event only happens every four years, and it’s a don’t-miss for our community’s leaders.