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Star-studded "Spirit of Humanity" Awards Honors Queen Noor & Others

Posted on Monday April 8, 2002

Sting, Michael Gross, F. Murray Abraham,
Daschle, Gephardt, Feingold, Talent, Harlem Globetrotters,
Arab American NYPD Officer, VA Firefighters

On Wednesday, April 10, the Arab American community will host stars of the entertainment and political world at the Arab American Institute Foundation’s (AAIF) annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards. The annual gala dinner honors 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.

Recipient of the 2001 Kahlil Gibran Award for Individual Achievement, Sting returns to present the Individual Achievement Award to Her Majesty Queen Noor al Hussein of Jordan for her dedication to global humanitarian efforts including her commitment to the environment and education.

Michael Gross, star of the hit sitcom “Family Ties” and frequent guest on “ER” and “Law & Order”, will present a special award for “Outstanding Public Service” to Starz Encore Group, Ltd. and Brokaw, Inc. The public service award acknowledges the creative services agency Brokaw, Inc. for its quick response to the backlash that followed the September 11 terrorist attacks by producing the Arab American Institute’s “Twin Towers Tolerance” print ad. Brokaw later developed the print ad into a striking video PSA narrated by Gross. Starz Encore Group, the leading provider of cable and satellite-delivered premium movie channels, put together an unprecedented coalition of the cable operators and DBS operators to ensure that the Brokaw-produced PSA, as well as one produced independently by Starz Encore Group, would both be broadcast to over 76 million households.

In accepting the invitation, Michael Gross asserted that “as we confront our enemies, we must not forget our friends. The Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards help to demonstrate the enduring Arab-American contribution to our common good.”

Veteran Arab American stage and screen actor F. Murray Abraham will make special remarks during the Gibran awards gala. Abraham has more than sixty films and plays to his credit the most notable of which was his bravura portrayal of Salieri in Amadeus for which he won the 1984 Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Actor. His theatrical credits include classical roles from Macbeth to King Lear as well as modern theatrical productions such as The Fantastiks and Paper Doll.

In accepting the invitation, F. Murray Abraham noted that “the Gibran Awards gala is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the contributions that Arab Americans such as Kahlil Gibran and Danny Thomas have made to American culture. It is also an opportunity for me to remind people that many Arab Americans have sacrificed their lives for their country, including my two brothers who are buried in a military cemetery in Texas”.

Also addressing the “Spirit of Humanity Awards” are Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, and Senator Russ Feingold. “We are delighted to have these three senior members of Congress, all with distinguished records of service, join us for the Gibran Awards. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, each of these leaders spoke out with a compassionate yet firm voice in defense of American unity and against bigotry. Their words meant a great deal not only to Arab and Muslim Americans but they also contributed to our nation’s strength. In a very difficult moment they helped Americans begin the healing process,” said AAIF President Dr. James J. Zogby.

Taleen, the fourteen year-old Fairfax, Virginia prodigy who has to her credit two solo performances for the Pope in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, will deliver a special musical performance. Taleen, who began learning arias at age 8, has already shared the Washington Opera stage at the Kennedy Center with Placido Domingo and performed solo at the White House. She is currently working on the soundtrack for a major feature film. “I’m so thrilled to have a chance to be in the presence of so many people who have done so much good around the world. It’s a real honor…and, of course, I can’t wait to meet Sting!” said Taleen.

Rounding out the list of celebrity guests is “Sweet” Lou Dunbar and Hubert “Geese” Ausbie of the Harlem Globetrotters. Dunbar not only plays on the 2002 Globetrotters but also serves as assistant coach. One of the most popular and recognizable Globetrotters, Ausbie, is Vice President of the Globetrotters Global Ambassador program.

Arab Americans from the New York Police Department and Virginia firefighters will also be on hand to highlight the contributions Arab Americans make everyday across our nation. It is estimated that more than 100 Americans of Arab descent serve in the NYPD. Among those police officers and firefighters attending, all responded to rescue and recovery efforts following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11. Speaking about Arab Americans in public service, Fairfax County Firefighter Ron Kuley said, “Some of us were born overseas in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt and other Arab nations. Some of us are first, second and third generation Arab Americans. Many of us have served our country in the military but all of us are proud Americans who chose the path of service to others because we love our country and our community.”

In addition to Queen Noor, Starz Encore Group, Ltd. and Brokaw, Inc, this year’s Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards will recognize Reebok International for its support of human rights activists throughout the world and ExxonMobil for its long-standing commitment to furthering the understanding of Arab and Islamic culture in the U.S.

The reception begins at 6:30 with dinner served promptly at 7:30. Media wishing to cover the event should RSVP to Jenny Salan (202) 429-9210 or jsalan@aaiusa.org. Registration begins at 5:30 and cameras will be allowed to setup starting at 6:30. Only accredited press will be allowed access to this event.