Press Room
Press Releases
Arab opinion poll to be presented on the Hill -- JOIN US
From AAI
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009
This Thursday, May 21st, the Arab American Institute is pleased to host a briefing on Capitol Hill regarding the 2009 University of Maryland/Zogby International public opinion poll, “The 2009 Arab Public Opinion Poll: A View from the Middle East”.
Shibley Telhami, Saban Center nonresident senior fellow and principal investigator of the poll, and the Anwar Sadat professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland, will present his latest polling research and key findings. Dr. James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute, will present additional findings regarding Arab opinions on President Obama’s first 100 days.
Please join us. Click below for complete details.
ACTION ALERT! SUPPORT THE BOUSTANY/COHEN/CARNAHAN LETTER!
From AAI
Posted on Wednesday May 20, 2009
The Hoyer / Cantor letter on Israel being circulated on the Hill is reprehensible. The file’s original name—“AIPAC Letter Hoyer Cantor May 2009.pdf” as Al Kamen pointed out on May 15—is the least of its offenses. M.J. Rosenberg is disgusted by this letter, going so far as to call it, ‘bipartisanship at its most loathsome”.
Thankfully, there is an alternative… but only if we encourage our representatives to sign the letter being circulated by Members Boustany, Cohen and Carnahan. This letter supports President Obama’s charted course for American policy in the Middle East, specifically his intention to provide strong American leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian and broader Arab-Israeli conflicts.
Click through to learn more about how to support the Boustany/Cohen/Carnahan letter to President Obama.
American Perceptions of Peace, Arab Attitudes America: A New Perspective
From AAI
Posted on Saturday May 16, 2009
For the United States, next week marks the beginning of an intense, two week engagement with Middle East leaders. Two new polls are vital to understanding the moods and opinions of the Arab public and American voters: join us Monday, May 18 at the New America Foundation and Tuesday at Brookings Institute for valuable insight you won’t find anywhere else.
Monday’s event will be streaming live. Click the link below for more information.
White House hosts Arab American Leadership Briefing
From AAI
Posted on Wednesday May 6, 2009
On Friday, April 24, the White House hosted 80 Arab American leaders from across the country: the first Arab American leadership briefing by the White House in nearly a decade.
The Arab American Institute worked closely with the Office of Public Liaison on coordinating logistics and recommending senior officials who would most effectively address community concerns and ensure the success of this milestone event. We are thankful that so many Arab American leaders attended and lent their voices to the discussions on foreign policy—from progress towards comprehensive peace in the Middle East to difficulties faced when traveling in Palestine—and domestic issues, such as civil liberties protections and economic recovery.
Kahlil Gibran Awards Gala: inspiring
From AAI
Posted on Wednesday April 29, 2009
On Thursday, April 23rd, 2009, more than 700 guests from across the U.S. and the globe descended on Washington, DC for the 11th annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards gala hosted by the Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF). The black tie affair began with opening remarks from Assistant to the President Valerie Jarrett. The awards ceremony honors individuals and organizations that toil – often unnoticed – to address some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian problems. This year’s program was launched by the gracious appearance and remarks of Her Majesty Queen Noor al-Hussein.
Today on Viewpoint
From AAI
Posted on Thursday April 23, 2009
This afternoon on “Viewpoint with James Zogby”—Karen AbuZayd, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); Aram Haparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America; a delegation from Mossawa Center, a non-profit NGO that works to promote equality for the Arab-Palestinians citizens of Israel; and comedian and actor Maz Jobrani.
Queen Noor will attend the Kahlil Gibran "Spirit of Humanity" Awards
From AAI
Posted on Wednesday April 22, 2009
Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan will attend this year’s 11th annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards gala. Queen Noor, a Gibran Award recipient for Individual Achievement in 2002, is engaged in civic and humanitarian work. She has taken an advocacy role in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and has visited many countries to advocate with governments, support NGOs and help landmine survivors. She has also testified before the U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus appealing for humanitarian assistance and justice for thousands of landmine victims worldwide. One of this year’s awardees, the Marshall Legacy Institute, has been working to eliminate landmines from war-torn countries, including Lebanon.
The Najeeb Halaby Award for Public service, named in honor of the Queen’s late father, Najeeb Halaby, will go to Dr. Elias Zerhouni. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, members of Congress, and other distinguished guests have confirmed their attendance.
AAIF honors Arab American Doctor for Public Service
From AAI
Posted on Friday April 17, 2009
The Arab American Institute Foundation will honor Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni with the Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service at the 11th annual Kahlil Gibran Awards Gala. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, last year’s recipient of the Halaby Award, will present the award to the doctor during the Gibran Gala this Thursday, April 24.
Win TWO tickets from New York to anywhere Etihad flies!
From AAI
Posted on Friday April 17, 2009
AAI is raffling off two round trip, Pearl Business class tickets on Etihad Airlines for just $100 per raffle ticket. Only 250 raffle tickets will be sold, so don’t miss out on this great opportunity to visit anywhere Etihad flies… in incredible luxury.
Support the Arab American Institute and take your chance to win a trip to Abu Dhabi… Bangkok… Brisbane… wherever Etihad flies.
Play. Win. FLY!
Purchase your raffle tickets TODAY:
Statement by James Zogby, President, Arab American Institute, on Torture Memos
From AAI
Posted on Friday April 17, 2009
Despite some domestic criticism, the President was correct in releasing the largely un-redacted Bush era “torture memos.” If we are a nation of laws, then all must be held accountable before the law.
By the way, if we do not hold these former officials accountable for their deeds, we can forget about issuing next year’s “Human Rights Report”. Who would take it seriously?
UNRWA to receive Award for International Commitment
From AAI
Posted on Thursday April 9, 2009
This year at the 11th annual Kahlil Gibran Awards gala, the Arab American Institute Foundation will be recognizing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for their international commitment to serving and improving the conditions of Palestinian refugees. On April 23rd, UNRWA will be presented with the Award for International Commitment for their continuous humanitarian work.
Why UNRWA?
UNRWA’s Gaza Director to brief Congress TODAY
From AAI
Posted on Tuesday March 31, 2009
John Ging, who heads the largest relief organization in Gaza, will discuss the critical humanitarian challenges facing Gaza in the aftermath of Israel’s recent military operations at a briefing on Tuesday, March 31st at 4:00PM, sponsored by Baird and Ellison. UNRWA’s humanitarian work plays a critical role as the United States seeks to reengage in peacemaking efforts in the region and, as such, the new administration has pledged $300 million to support reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
From Belfast to Jerusalem: Lessons from Mitchell
From AAI
Posted on Tuesday March 17, 2009
Washington D.C. – March 17, 2009 – The Arab American Institute will hold a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill entitled “From Belfast to Jerusalem: Lessons from Northern Ireland for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.” The panel will feature leading experts on the Northern Ireland peace process, Middle Eastern affairs and American policy-making.
AAI Urges Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona to reconsider screening inflammatory film “Fitna”
From AAI
Posted on Wednesday February 25, 2009
The Arab American Institute sent a letter earlier today to Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona asking him to reconsider sponsoring an event with Dutch MP Geert Wilders that includes a screening of a film that is considered highly inflammatory and Islamophobic. Mr. Wilders’ film, “Fitna”, juxtaposes verses from the Qu’ran with violent images.
AAI Asks Clinton: Help Gazan Students Come to the U.S.
From AAI
Posted on Wednesday February 25, 2009
The Arab American Institute (AAI), in partnership with six other American organizations concerned with the success of an Israeli-Palestinian peace, co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton today expressing concern about the insurmountable obstacles that Palestinian students accepted to U.S. universities face in their efforts to travel from Gaza to the United States to pursue their education.
