Press Room

White House Christmas Ornaments

From Arab News
Posted on Wednesday December 23, 2009

If you can’t check out this year’s Christmas decorations at the White House in person then you might be interested to learn that for the first time ever the White
House is using holiday ornaments of Arab American heritage.

Restricted: Visas Good for West Bank Only U.S. Protests New Policy Targeting Arab Americans

From The Jewish Daily Forward
Posted on Monday October 19, 2009

Washington — Omar Rahman was on his way from America to a friend’s wedding in Jerusalem. The 25-year-old journalist, born and raised in Washington to parents of Palestinian descent, had visited the West Bank and Israel many times before, and although he was used to the four-hour wait at the border crossing, he had never encountered any problems.

But last July, when Rahman went through the Allenby Bridge border crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-controlled West Bank, the Israeli officer put a new stamp on Rahman’s American passport, restricting his visit to only the West Bank.

When Rahman noticed the stamp, he was already dressed in a suit and riding in a taxi on his way to the wedding. He was stopped from entering Israel at the border crossing near Jerusalem. “We tried walking through, but the soldiers refused to let me in,” he said. “I told them it must be a mistake, but they wouldn’t listen.”

VA Political Candidates Woo Arab American Voters

From WAMU
Posted on Tuesday September 29, 2009

VA Political Candidates Woo Arab American Voters
September 28, 2009 – In Virginia, candidates for statewide and local offices are wooing the Commonwealth’s nearly 50,000 Arab American voters. At the Marriott Hotel in Vienna approximately 200 Arab Americans work their way through dinner as the candidates take to the microphone. It’s the Arab American Institutes’ annual Virginia Candidates Night.

“In some districts, local districts, local delegate districts, magistrate’s districts, we can actually make it or break it,” said Saba Shami, co-founder of the Arab American Democratic Caucus.

Candidates woo Arab-American voters in US

From International Arab News
Posted on Tuesday September 29, 2009

ARLINGTON, Virginia: The Arab American Institute hosted its 21st annual Virginia Candidates Night on Sunday in Tysons Corner, Va.

Guest speakers included Republican Congressman Charles Boustany of Louisiana, and Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds, whose son is studying Arabic at college. In Virginia, candidates for statewide and local offices are courting the state’s nearly 50,000 Arab American voters; approximately 200 Arab Americans attended Sunday’s event.

Palestinian PM: We'll form de facto state by 2011

From www.Haaretz.com
Posted on Tuesday August 25, 2009

The Palestinian Authority intends to establish a de-facto state within the next two years, despite failing peace talks, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said on Tuesday.

“We have decided to be proactive, to expedite the end of the occupation by working very hard to build positive facts on the ground, consistent with having our state emerge as a fact that cannot be ignored,” Fayyad told the Times of London. “This is our agenda, and we want to pursue it doggedly.”

Census 2010 Seeks Partnerships with Arab American Organizations

From Arab Detroit
Posted on Friday July 17, 2009

Arab American Institute’s Helen Samhan shares the benefits of partnering with the Census Bureau for the 2010 Census outreach efforts.

Casey Kasem retires after nearly 40 years of top 40s

From Arab News
Posted on Friday July 17, 2009

Casey Kasem, legendary radio host of American Top 40 programs retires.

ANALYSIS-Obama has blunt message for Arabs and Jews

From www.reuters.com
Posted on Friday June 5, 2009

See what Dr. Zogby and other key Middle East experts thought about the speech and the impact it had on the Muslim and Jewish communities in the U.S

Grade Obama's speech

From www.politico.com
Posted on Friday June 5, 2009

After Obama’s Cairo speech, Dr. James Zogby, along with other leading political figures, offered his thoughts on the speech and how it may be interpreted.

American Muslims, Jews rate Obama's speech

From www.cnn.com
Posted on Friday June 5, 2009

Read some of the thoughts of Muslims and Jews in the U.S regarding Obama’s Cairo speech, including our very own Dr. Zogby, who offers his insights into the breadth of the speech, and how the message may come across at home

Transcript of Zogby and Liz Cheney on the ‘Situation Room’ with Wolf Blitzer

Posted on Friday June 5, 2009

Read the transcript of the debate on ‘The Situation Room” with Wolf Blitzer between Dr. Jim Zogby and Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice president Dick Cheney, regarding Obama’s speech in Cairo.

Barack Obama's Cairo speech: Live

From The Guardian
Posted on Thursday June 4, 2009

Correspondents track the build-up and reaction of President Obama’s speech in Egypt. The discussion includes challenges Obama faces with his audience.

What will Obama tell Muslim world? Experts make predictions

From CNN
Posted on Thursday June 4, 2009

Middle East experts make different predictions on what President Obama will say to the Middle East. Just what, exactly, defines the most important issues to the Muslim and Arab worlds, is a source of disagreement.

What Role Does Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Play In Mending U.S. Ties With Muslim World?

From Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty
Posted on Wednesday June 3, 2009

While while the world waits for President Obama to outline his course towards a lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis, scholars discuss the role this conflict plays in both the Muslim and Arab worlds.

Obama will carry friendly message to Muslim world

From The Washington Times
Posted on Wednesday June 3, 2009

The Washington Times reports that President Obama faces high expectations as Thursday’s speech in Egypt approaches. Analysts consider the speech a major opportunity, however polls suggest Obama faces a steep climb.