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2004 Kahlil Gibran Awards Feature: Muhammad Ali, Queen Noor, Actor Mary-Louise Parker, Rock the Vote, Rep. Nick Rahall and Poet Suheir Hammad

Posted on Tuesday April 27, 2004

WHAT: The Arab American Institute Foundation’s sixth annual gala, the Kahlil Gibran ‘Spirit of Humanity Awards’ honoring 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.

WHO: Muhammad Ali in recognition of his efforts to raise public awareness about poverty and hunger throughout the world. It is estimated that since his retirement from boxing, Ali has been responsible for providing 232 million meals for those in need. In 2005, “The Champ” will launch the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville to “promote respect, hope, and understanding, and to inspire adults and children everywhere to be as great as they can be”.

Rock the Vote in recognition of its work to empower young Americans and bring them into the democratic process. Over the years RTV and its partners have registered hundreds of thousands of young voters. RTV was instrumental in developing grassroots support for the National Voter Registration Reform Act (NVRA) making voter registration easier for all Americans. Actor Mary-Louise Parker, well known for her role on “The West Wing”, will present the award. Parker, who won a 2004 Golden Globe for her performance in HBO’s “Angels In America” has starred in over 20 major feature films including “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Grand Canyon,” and “The Client”. In the aftermath of 9/11, Parker organized dozens of her fellow actors for “Don’t Pick the Wrong Fight” a series of PSAs combating backlash endorsed by the Ad Council and aired around the country.

American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) in recognition of its assistance to hundreds of thousands of displaced refugees throughout the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, and Jordan. For over 35 years, it has helped to strengthen community services provided by local institutions such as schools, universities, health facilities, cooperatives, municipalities, grassroots committees, and charitable associations. Def Poetry Jam’s Suheir Hammad, a Palestinian American poet, will present ANERA’s award. Hammad, who was part of the Tony-winning cast of “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry Jam on Broadway” is the recipient of numerous awards including NYU’s Emerging Artist Award. Published in numerous periodicals and anthologies, her poems, as well as her books Born Palestinian, Born Black and Drops of This Story, have received critical acclaim establishing Hammad as one of the nation’s foremost young artists.

MPI Media Group in recognition of its continued efforts to educate and promote greater understanding of the Middle East. Among its many contributions in this area, MPI produced “Inside The West Bank” and “Tragedy In The Holy Land: The Second Uprising”; both videos were widely distributed to libraries across the nation.

Congressman Nick Rahall is the first recipient of the newly established “Najeeb Halaby Public Service Award”. The late Halaby was appointed by President Kennedy in 1961 to head the Federal Aviation Administration which he ran until 1965. This annual award honors Arab Americans who have excelled in public service and conducted their public life with a strong and visible pride in their heritage. Halaby’s daughter, Her Majesty Queen Noor, has agreed to present the inaugural Najeeb Halaby Award to Congressman Rahall in recognition of his twenty-eight years of distinguished government service and consistent interest in the public affairs of the Arab American community.

WITH: A special comedy performance by Dean Obeidallah and Maysoon Zayid

WHEN: Tuesday, May 4, 6 PM reception 7PM dinner

WHERE: Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: Jennifer Salan or Rebecca Abou Chedid at 202-429-9210