Press Room

Press Releases

Report Outlines Arab American Actions After 9/11

Posted on Monday September 9, 2002

Washington—Today the Arab American Institute released “Healing the Nation: The Arab American Experience After September 11,” a comprehensive report coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Although the national healing process is still in its initial stages, AAI records the early experiences, responses and issues facing Arab Americans in the wake of 9/11. The report is also significant because it pays tribute to the heartfelt efforts of countless Americans who worked to stem the tide of hate and backlash against ethnic Americans.

“We felt it was crucial that we accurately record the Arab American experience after 9/11 and that’s what ‘Healing the Nation’ accomplishes. So many people, from all backgrounds, reached out to our community at a crucial time in the history of our nation. We will never forget that and we wanted to document it,” said AAI Foundation Executive Director Helen Samhan.

In every way, the Arab American community responded to the attacks like all Americans did. Americans of Arab descent worked rescue and recovery efforts, contributed financially to victims’ funds and mourned the loss of so many innocent lives. But challenged by the hate filled actions of a few, the community also launched an extensive education effort and received support from the government, local communities and thousands of individuals.

These efforts are documented in the reports first three chapters, “Arab American Response to the September 11 Attacks,” “Backlash and the Nation’s Response,” and “Arab Americans Reach Out to Educate and Inform.”

Finally, the report delves into the array of civil liberties issues that have impacted our nation. “Out of great tragedy, grew great strength as our nation united in the face of terror. Now, as we face additional challenges, challenges to our constitutional democracy, we feel it is incumbent upon Arab Americans to lead the fight to protect our cherished freedoms. And just as September 11 brought so many people together, we have been joined in this struggle by millions of Americans who believe that our strength as a nation lies in the foundations of our democracy,” said AAI President Dr. James J. Zogby.

The report’s Appendices include testimony on hate crimes and discrimination as well informational resources. Print copies of “Healing the Nation,” which was published by the Arab American Institute Foundation with the support of the Atlantic Philanthropies (USA) Inc., may be ordered by contacting Hillary Wundrow at (202) 429-9210×27 or hwundrow@aaiusa.org.

An electronic version of the report is available here on the AAI website.

Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community activities.