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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Talks of Peace as a Universal Responsibility at 10th Annual Kahlil Gibran Awards Gala

AAI
Posted on Wednesday April 23, 2008

The Arab American Institute Foundation hosted its 10th annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards gala on Wednesday, April 23 before a packed ballroom of nearly 800 guests in Washington, D.C.

Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was on hand to address the crowd in person, discussing the status of U.S.-led Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, obstacles Israeli settlements continue to pose to progress on those talks, and the current situation in Gaza. He concluded by saying, “Peace is a responsibility of every person in this room, and every person in the universe.”

Award recipients this year included:
Reporters Without Borders (Award for Institutional Excellence)
Refugees International (Award for International Commitment)
Barenboim-Said Foundation (Special Recognition)
Congressman Ray LaHood (Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service)

Presenting the awards were actor and Refugees International board member Sam Waterston, Daily Star editor-at-large Rami Khouri, and Senator John Sununu of New Hampshire. Mariam Said, widow of the late Edward Said, accepted the recognition on behalf of the Barenboim-Said Foundation.

Read more: Abbas to appeal for more US help in peace process, Associated Press
Abbas appeals for more US help in peace process, Washington Post
Arab Americans Present “Spirit of Humanity” Awards, America.gov (U.S. State Department)
North Jersey Arab leaders temper hopes for peace, Bergen Record