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Her Majesty Queen Noor to Recognize Governor John H. Sununu at Kahlil Gibran Awards Gala May 3rd

Posted on Wednesday April 26, 2006

Under Secretary Karen Hughes to Present Arab American Award

With Tributes to Congressman John D. Dingell and Filmmaker Moustapha Akkad

WASHINGTON – The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) is delighted to honor the recipients of the 2006 Kahlil Gibran ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Awards. This year’s Gibran recipients include Women for Women International and Habitat for Humanity. Governor John H. Sununu will receive the 2006 Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service.

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan has confirmed her attendance and will be presenting the Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service, named in honor of her late father, to Governor John H. Sununu in appreciation for his long and distinguished career.

Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Karen Hughes, will be presenting Women for Women International with the Award for International Commitment. As the Bush’s administration’s key diplomatic liaison, she has been active in traveling to and addressing the Arab world. However, this represents one of her first forays in engaging the Arab American community.

Congressman John D. Dingell will be presented with a special recognition in honor of five decades of public service to his country and to his constituents. His extraordinary commitment to the concerns of Arab Americans has been a great source of respect and admiration. This recognition demonstrates the Arab American community’s appreciation to the decades Dingell has devoted to the public good and to sound policies.

Motion Picture Association of America President, Dan Glickman, will be presenting AAIF’s tribute to Moustapha Akkad. Akkad produced such films as “Mohammad: The Messenger of God,” box-off hit “Halloween,” and “Lion of the Desert. He also produced CBS TV News “As Others See US.” Akkad’s life was tragically taken in the 2005 terrorist bombing in Amman, Jordan. At the time of his death, Akkad was actively soliciting interest in his next project, an epic film about the life of the great Arab leader Saladin. His son, Malek Akkad, will also be with us for the video tribute to his late father.

Among VIP guests already confirmed are NIH Director Elias Zerhouni, General Wesley Clark, U.S. Senator John E. Sununu and Reps. Nick Rahall, Darrell Issa, Charles Boustany, and the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Morocco, Qatar, and Yemen. Arab American statewide candidates Jeanine Pirro (NY) and Michael Bouchard (MI) will also be attending.

Awardees
The awards honor individuals, corporations, organizations and communities that have demonstrated a commitment to humanitarian values and cultural understanding consistent with the ideals exemplified by renowned Arab American poet and author Kahlil Gibran.

Women for Women International will be receiving the Award for International Achievement in recognition for its commitment to enhancing the lives of women worldwide and create lasting change and stability within war-torn societies. As their motto affirms, “stronger women build stronger nations,” Women for Women International believes women, who are often at the heart of conflicts, are inadvertently affected by war and forgotten.

Habitat for Humanity will be receiving the Award for Institutional Achievement in recognition of its efforts to end the cycle of homelessness and poverty that millions of families endure. Habitat has active programs in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. Additionally, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Habitat announced “Operation Home Delivery,” a program designed to provide housing to those made homeless by the storm.

Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA) will be presenting the award to Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International’s chief executive officer.

This year’s Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service award goes to Governor John H. Sununu in recognition for his distinguished career as an educator, engineer, businessman, community leader, and most notably, a statesman. Sununu’s generosity of time, counsel and concern helped provide visibility to the issues Arab Americans care about. From thoughtful persuasion in matters of U.S. Middle East policy to challenging federal excesses in the wake of September 11, Governor Sununu has earned a reputation for courage, tenacity and integrity which will inspire generations of Arab Americans to come.

WHERE: JW Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.

RSVP: Media RSVP to Mira H. Browne (202) 429-9210 mbrowne@aaiusa.org