AAI Foundation event celebrates Arab American achievements July 29

Washington, DC Foundation Honors Farmington Hills Councilman John Akouri

-AAIF Celebration fetes Michigan Arab Americans in Public Life-

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) will pay tribute to Farmington Hills City Councilman John Akouri - who has made a difference in civic and community life in Michigan this Friday, July 29th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the newly opened Arab American National Museum located at 13624 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, Michigan.
"As AAI celebrates two decades of service, we are pleased to honor John Akouri who has dedicated his career to public service and has truly made a difference in his community," said AAI National Field Director Abdallah Al-Zuabi. "We hope this celebration will encourage participation in the upcoming elections and inspire a new generation of Arab Americans to run for public office."

Akouri will join will join other leading Arab American Public Officials throughout Michigan, who will be honored for their significant contributions to the civic and political empowerment of the Arab American community. These include Dearborn Councilman Bob Abraham, 3rd Circuit Court Judge David Allen, State Representative Barbara Farrah, Oakland County Probate Judge Linda Saoud Hallmark, State Board of Education Member Marianne Yared McGuire, Dearborn Councilwoman Suzanne Sareini, Michigan Women's Commission, Office of Governor, Sally Shaheen Joseph, and Oak Park Councilman Kirk Yousif. Michigan is home to 490,000 Arab Americans living in 82 of the state’s 83 counties.

"AAI is a respected organization that is mobilizing voters across the nation to stand up and be counted" Akouri said. "It is always humbling to be recognized for the achievements and contributions one makes while in office. As I thank AAI for saluting these accomplishments, I am honored to receive this tribute and look forward to continue working with AAI in the future."

Akouri began serving on Capitol Hill as Washington Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to US Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) in 1999. Akouri is a longtime member of the DC-based AAI National Policy Council, and was featured as a distinguished panelist at the 2003 AAI National Leadership Conference and at last years Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee Convention in Washington, DC. Akouri also led Republican efforts in 2004 as Co-Chairman of the Bush/Cheney Re-Election Campaign in Oakland County. Most recently he participated along with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa and dignitaries from around the world in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the long awaited ACCESS Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.

For a complete Bio and Photo of John Akouri, visit

http://akouri.blogspot.com/
2002_12_29_akouri_archive.html

For more information on Michigan’s Arab Americans, visit

http://www.aaiusa.org/demographics/MIdemographics.pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 26, 2005
CONTACT: aalzuabi@aaiusa.org or 202.494.9858
-END-

Egyptian candidate seeks international election monitors

Press Release For Immediate Release

Egypt?s Presidential Candidate Calls for International Monitors for elections

Chicago, Illinois, USA (7/20/05) Author turned politician, Aladdin Elaasar who announced his candidacy for president of Egypt recently called on the international community today to send international monitors for the upcoming presidential elections in September in Egypt. ?In spite of the several attempts of presidential candidates for Egypt to get their names on the ballot, the Egyptian government still refuses to acknowledge any of them. If Mr. Mubarak is really serious about change in Egypt and giving democracy a chance, why does not he allow other candidates to run?, Elaasar said.

The Egyptian government runs most of the media outlets which gives Mr. Mubarak an edge over any other candidate. Mr. Mubarak uses public funds and resources for his campaign. He passed a law recently through the People?s Assembly, which the overwhelming majority of its members belong to the NDP- Mr. Mubarak?s party. This law prohibits any candidate from running without getting the endorsement of 250 members of MR. Mubarak?s party! Mr. Mubarak holds all the power in his hands. His government will be running the elections and counting the votes through his Minster of the interior! Which is unlawful? Elaasar said.

?What Mr. Mubarak is afraid of? Why does he feel threatened by other candidates and myself? If he is so sure of his popularity, why does not he open the door for democracy for real, instead of lip service? It seems that Mr. Mubarak?s government is afraid of change and competition and they?re finding every excuse not to include any other candidate on the ballot. The Egyptian constitution gives the right to every Egyptian, man or woman, to run for the office of president of Egypt. The attempts to bar Egyptian expatriates and those with dual citizenship from running is unconstitutional. I call on Mr. Muarak to include all candidates on the ballot. I also call on him to release MR. Ayman Nour and all other political prisoners in Egypt immediately and end the state of the Emergency Laws?, Elaasar, the author of a book titled ?Silent Victims?, demanded today.

END-

For more info, please contact:
Aladdin Elaasar,
President and Founder of
Committee for Freedom and Democracy in Egypt
1015 Higgins Quarters, Suite 115
Hoffman Estates,
IL 60194
Tel 847 310-0342847 668-4206
Email: omaraladin@aol.com
http://cfde.blogspot.com/2005/07/
committee-for-freedom-democracy-in.html

Il SOciety of Professional Engineers to hold conference in Chicago

ISPE 2005 2005 ANNUAL CONFERENCE - JULY 29 & 30, 2005 - ON-LINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
for information go to:
http://www.illinoisengineer.com/2005conference.asp
LOTS OF PDHS - 12 IN 2 DAYS!!!
WYNDHAM HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: BILL RANCIC OF TV'S "THE APPRENTICE"

3000 WARRENVILLE ROAD, LISLE, ILLINOIS
630-505-1000
Map to Conference Site

Conference Site Layout
Mark your calendars for the 2005 Annual Conference! ISPE again offers 12 professional development hours, lively entertainment, and fellowship among engineers over the 2 1/2 day event. Conveniently located off I-88 at Naperville Road, the Wyndham Lisle serves as an ideal conference venue in Chicago's western suburbs.Bring your co-workers, your spouse and your children for our fun and educational event. There will be plenty of activities in the area for all ages while PEs participate in engaging professional development sessions.
PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT DATES:
Regular Registration: July 1, 2005 - July 20,2005
Registration Closes: July 20, 2005, 5 PM
NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER CLOSE OF BUSINESS JULY 20.
ISPE PAC Golf Outing: July 28, 2005
ISPE Annual Conference: July 29-30, 2005
2005 CONFERNCE INFORMATION
http://www.illinoisengineer.com/2005conference.asp
Sponsorship/Exhibit Information
ISPE PAC Golf Outing Information - Thursday, July 28, 2005
Schedule at a Glance
Education Sessions
Special Events
Guest Activities
Conference Fees
Hotel Information
Registration
First Time Attendee "Tex" Scholarship

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Thursday, July 28, 20051P - 6:30 P
PAC Golf Outing, Klein Creek Golf Club
6:30 P - 9P PAC BBQ,
Klein Creek Golf Club
5:00 P - 8 P Pre-Conference Packet Pick-up, Wyndham
6 P - ?? Hospitality Room Open, Wyndham
Friday, July 29, 2005
7 A Conference Packet Pick-Up
8 A Welcome
8:30 A Education Sessions (2 PDHs)
10:00 A Guest Activity - Morton Arboretum Tram Tour & Luncheon
10:30 A Education Sessions (2 PDHs)
12:30 P Legislative Luncheon
2:15 P Education Sessions (3 PDHs)
5:30 P Sponsor/New Engineer Reception
All Day - Exhibits Open
All Day - Hospitality Room Open
Saturday, July 30, 2005
7:30 A Awards Breakfast
9:00 A Education Sessions (2 PDHs)
10:00 A Guest Activity - Naper Settlement or DuPage Children's Museum Visit
11:00 A Education Sessions (2 PDHs)
12:45 P Keynote Luncheon - Bill Rancic from TV's "The Apprentice"
2:15 P Education Sessions (1 PDH)
3:30 P ISPE Annual Business Meeting
6:30 P Installation Banquet
8:30 P Casino Night & Raffle
All Day - Hospitality Room Open
EDUCATION SESSIONS
Friday, July 29, 2005
8:30 A - 10:15 A (You will be asked to Select One Session): Session 1 - Successful Women in Engineering (2 PDHs) / Session 2 - Workplace Labor Issues (2PDHs) / Session 3 - Rebuilding Iraq (2 PDHs)
10:30 A - 12:15 P (You will be asked to Select One Session): Session 4 - Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology Primer (2 PDHs) / Session 5 - LRFD - Not just a 4-Letter Word (2 PDHs) This session brings you up to speed with the basics of Load & Resistance Factor Design. / Session 6 - Contract Management, Risk Allocation by Design (2 PDHs)
2:15 P - 4:15 P (You will be asked to Select 7 & 10, 8 & 10, or 9): Session 7 - An Insight into Some of Illinois' Major Projects - Project Profiles (2 PDHs) / Session 8 - Context Sensitive Solutions (2 PDHs) / Session 9 - Fermi Lab Tour 2:15 P - 5:30 P (Limited to 50 registrants only - 3 PDHs)
4:30 P - 5:30 P (May not be Selected if Attending Session 9 - Fermi Lab Tour): Session 10 - Public Construction & Transportation Panel (1 PDH)
Saturday, July 30, 2005
9:00 A - 10:45 A (You will be asked to Select One Session): Session 11 - Introduction to the LEED Green Building Program (2 PDHs) / Session 12 - Recycled Plastics on the Molecular Level (2 PDHs) / Session 13 - Lean Construction I (2 PDHs)
11:00 A - 12:45 P (You will be asked to Select One Session): Session 14 - Understanding HEC-RAS Design Software (2 PDHs) / Session 15 - Uninterruptable Power Supplies/Power Quality (2 PDHs) / Session 16 - Lean Construction II (2 PDHs)
2:15 P - 3:15 P (You will be asked to Select One Session): Session 17 - HEC-RAS Design Software: Your Questions Answered (1 PDH) / Session 18 - Why Machines Fail - ME/EE Forensic Engineering (1 PDH) / Session 19 - Directional Boring (1 PDH)
SPECIAL EVENTS
Exhibits Friday All Day
Be sure to check out our firms, suppliers and other vendors show casing in the exhibit area on Friday. Visit with them and earn ISPE Bucks to use for casino night or raffle prize entries!
Legislative Luncheon Friday Noon
Area legislators have been invited to share the latest transportation funding and other issues affecting the practice of engineering.
New PE and Sponsor Reception Friday Evening
Meet our newest engineers, visit with our sponsors and exhibitors, and network with colleagues and friends during this reception with cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Awards Breakfast Saturday Morning
ISPE honors outstanding members and firms, scholarship recipients, and Order of the Engineer Inductees with the 2005 ISPE Awards Breakfast.
Keynote Luncheon Saturday Noon
Gain insights from TV's "The Apprentice" - Bill Rancic - whose post TV project for Donald Trump was to oversee the development of the Trump Towers in Chicago.
ISPE Annual Business Meeting Saturday Afternoon
All members are encouraged to attend as we kick off the new Society year. Share your recommendations for YOUR professional society today.
2005 Installation Banquet & Casino Night Saturday Evening
Come celebrate as we swear in the 2005-2006 ISPE Officers and present our top Society awards. Then try your hand at Casino Night and enter our raffle for great prizes donated by the ISPE Chapters.
ISPE Hospitality Room Open Throughout the Conference
Relax, enjoy refreshments, play cards and visit with fellow ISPE members during breaks, downtime and the evening hours in the Hospitality Room.
GUEST ACTIVITIES
Morton Arboretum Tram Tour and Luncheon- $25/person Friday 10 A - 2 P

Naper Settlement Museum Village OR DuPage Children's Museum - $10/person Saturday 10 A - 12 P Guests will have the opportunity to choose to visit the Naper Settlement Museum Village or the DuPage Children's Museum, both conveniently located in near downtown Naperville.
CONFERENCE FEES
Regular Rates* (Registrations Received from July 1, 2005 - July 20, 2005)**
$275 ISPE Member
$400 Non-Member
$125 Current Student or Recent Graduates (BS or BA in last 5 years)
Guest Events & Add-Ons (Add Guest Events or Guest Meals to Your Registration a la cart)
$25 Friday - Morton Arboretum Tram Tour & Luncheon
$25 Friday - Legislative Lunch
$25 Friday - New PE & Sponsor Reception
$18 Saturday - Awards Breakfast
$10 Saturday - Naper Settlement or DuPage Children's Museum Visits
$25 Saturday - Keynote Luncheon
$75 Saturday - Installation Banquet & Casino Night
* Includes education sessions and all meals and events July 29 & 30. Does not include lodging or any ISPE PAC events.
** All registrations must be received by the ISPE office by 5PM CT, July 20, 2005. No registrations will be accepted after that time.
Not an ISPE member? Send us an e-mail with your contact information and we will send you membership materials today!
REGISTRATION: There are 3 ways to Register:
(1) Register on-line* NOW with your Visa or Master Card. (On-line registration is now OPEN!)
(2) Download and print a paper registration to mail to ISPE at 600 South Second Street, Suite 403, Springfield, IL 62704 with your check, Visa or Master Card number.
(3) Download and print a paper registration to fax to ISPE at 217-528-6545 with your Visa or Master Card number.

for more information go to: http://www.illinoisengineer.com/2005conference.asp

Arab Chicago History book to be published August 21

Book on Chicago's Arab history be released August 21

(EDITORS NOTE: a picture of one a grocery store operated by Palestinian Ahmad Ziyad, founder of Ziyad Brothers Importing, who came to Chicago in 1961 can be provided if requested. Ray Hanania, rayhanania@aol.com.)

Only a few books have been published that attempt to document the history of Arab Americans in America. Hanania's Arabs of Chicagoland is the first attempt at documenting Chicago's history.

Arabs first arrived in Chicago in the middle of the 19th Century. Documents kept by social activist Jane Addams at the Hull House museum identified a group of about seven Arab immigrants who lived together in what is today the University of Illinois' Chicago campus. These first Arab settlers participated in craft shows displaying their cultural handiwork.

The first large waves of Arabs to arrive in Chicago began about the same time with Lebanese Christians who migrated through other regions of the country including Michigan and New York to eventually settle in Chicago following the battles at Zahlah in Syria in the 1860s. They were followed by a large number of early Palestinian Muslims from the village of Beitunia.

The area of 18th and Michigan Avenue in Chicago is often viewed as Chicago's Plymouth Rock. These early waves of Arab immigrants, along with Arabs from other Arab countries including Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, lived together in flop houses and apartments, often sharing the same centers for religious services. Muslim and Christian Arab clerics would travel to Chicago from other Arab communities and provide those services.

One of the most influential magnets for Arab immigration to Chicago was the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893. The World's Fair featured a massive display called "Cairo Street" where Arab World merchants sold merchandise. Their tales of business success reverberated among Arabs in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan, and immigrants seeking to earn profits began settling with the intention of making money and then eventually returning.

Several studies were conducted in the 1950s and 1970s by PhD students examining the history of Arab settlement in Chicago and are cited in the book, ARABS OF CHICAGOLAND. And, Hanania was the publisher of the first English-language newspaper in Chicago, The Middle Eastern Voice (1975-1977), which featured interviews and photographs of Arab Americans at the time. Hanania also published The Arab American View (1999-2003). Photographs and first-person interviews with Arab Americans are featured in the book.

ARABS OF CHICAGOLAND includes 205 photographs with more than 757 people pictured of the community's history dating back to the 1920s, collected from families and from Hanania's newspaper archives. The book includes profiles of several early Arab American settlers, including a the transcript of an interview recorded with one Palestinian, Jamal Kateeb, who came to Chicago in 1921. Like most Arab immigrants at the time, he began work as a peddler going door-to-door. The difficulty of selling from a suitcase was often described as "Knocking on God's door." Kateeb describes how he arrived in the middle of winter and in the middle of the night and stood at the corner of where the Arab community was located until an Arab saw them and walked them to a corner coffee shop where they sat and had coffee until the wholesale store that provided sale items to Arab peddlers would open. The license to sell was purchased from two local Chicago aldermen, Hinky Dink Kenna and Bathhouse John Coughlin.

Also featured are Jordanians, Lebanese and Egyptian early settlers.

Today, Chicago is predominantly Palestinian with the community almost equally divided between Christians and Muslims. The majority of Muslims come from Beitunia in Palestine and live along the Southwest corridor of Chicago and its suburbs stretching as far southwest as Orland Park where a new mosque was approved over the intense objection of the community's citizens. The majority of Christian Palestinians live along the Northwest corridor of Chicago through the far Northwest suburbs and originate from Ramallah, Palestine, the sister city of Beitunia. The next largest communities consist of Christian Lebanese, Christian Jordanians and Egyptians of the Muslim and Coptic faiths.

Despite the long history of Chicago's Arab American community, there are no landmarks recognizing their many contributions to the city and the region. Chicago celebrates Arab Heritage Month every November, but the event is ignored by Chicago's major media despite an array of Arab sponsored activities that take place. Although Chicago has more than 75 Arab American restaurants, not one has been featured or included in Chicago's high profile Taste of Chicago festival, although last year Hanania was invited to perform his standup comedy routine at the performance stage hosted by Comcast Cable TV.

"Chicago's Arab American community is significant in the bigger picture of Arabs in America, yet we have been unable to coalesce and work together for the greater good," said Hanania who is an award winning syndicate columnist, journalist, author and humorist.

"I think our real tragedy is that we have allowed the city of Chicago, the second largest city in America, to ignore our community and take us for granted. The book helps to identify many Arab Americans who have achieved success in Chicago and I am hoping it will reinforce the pride that young Arab Americans can experience knowing that despite not being recognized by American society, we have done much to make this a great country."

Hanania is also the publisher of the humor book published in 1996 called "I'm Glad I Look Like a Terrorist: Growing Up Arab in America" (which is available only online from Amazon.com). His columns analyzing Middle East issues are distributed by Creators Syndicate (www.Creators.com) and his comedy has been performed at festivals and haflis across the United States. In August 2002, Hanania was thrust into the national spotlight when Jewish American comedian an anti-Arab critic Jackie Mason refused to perform on stage with him because Hanania is Palestinian. Today, Hanania also writes print and online columns for the Southwest News-Herald (www.SWNewsHerald.com) on regional Midwest issues and a humor column for the Israeli news web site owned by Israel's largest newspaper Yedioth Ahronot (www.YnetNews.com).

Hanania can be reached at www.hanania.com. Information on the book can be obtained at www.ArcadiaPublishing.com.

END

RAWI Arab Writers Conference Report

From Barbara Nimri Aziz, Founder
July 12, 2005
RAWI’s successful literary conference Kallimuna ended last month with the assumption of new officers, Khaled Mattawa as president and Steven Salaita as Executive Director to continue RAWI nationwide and international work. Mattawa is at U. Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Salaita is at U. Wisconsin in Whitewater.
This brought to a close a two-day program of 19 panels and workshops rich in dialogue, warmth and enthusiasm and spawned new friendships and projects among the 120 participants, mainly Arab American writers, from across the country.
Highlighting the weekend gathering in New York was the awards dinner hosted by Suheir Hammad with stories and poems by Naomi Shihab Nye, Mohja Kahf, Marian Haddad and Maysa Hayward.
Friday Night’s Poetry Reading at the Lang Recital Hall, Hunter College, site of the conference, was highlighted by 6 of our outstanding poets:-- Naomi Shihab Nye, DH Melhem, Mohja Kahf, Lawrence Joseph, Hayan Charara, and Khaled Mattawa.
Leila Shereen and Rachida Mohammedi offered open mike presentations.
AWARDS: Salma Khadra Jayyusi, poet, critic and anthologist was recipient of the first Edward Said Award for Career Excellence, acknowledging her work as an activist, a scholar and a writer. The award was presented to Jayyusi by Mariam Said.
The Outstanding Emerging Writer prize in the name of Hala Maksoud was awarded to novelist Patricia Sarrafian Ward, author of "The Bullet Collection". The award was presented by Clovis Maksoud in honor of his wife, her support for women, her love of literature and her accomplishments as a scholar.
Alice Nashashibi’s groundbreaking work on behalf of RAWI in recent years was recognized in the Evelyn Menconi award honoring the Boston area educator and activist.
The first prize 2005 RAWI Creative Prose was awarded to Chicago writer Sahar Kayyal.
And in appreciation of their "work in building the Arab American creative community," honors were made to outgoing president, poet Etel Adnan and to retiring executive director, Barbara Nimri Aziz.
Praise from Kallimuna delegates:
"….It was an uplifting experience for me to see so many talented writers, poets and presenters of Arab origin gathered together in NY showing pride in their Arab heritage.
I never expected to get an award. I was just so happy to be a part of this momentous achievement…." Alice Nashshashibi
"….It’s hard for me to articulate just how profoundly being a member of an organization like RAWI and having the good fortune to attend the conferene has affected me.
"Now, more than ever, I feel a real sense of belonging, a safety, a certainty of purpose, and an awe at the talent of my brothers and sisters.
RAWI is something very special and I am honored to be a part. Thanks you for giving me a chance to participate, to showcase my work, and, especially, to be with my peers (and soon to be colleagues, I hope) and the incredible current of creative energy they generated last weekend." Amani Elkassabani
"…..Many thanks to you & the whole committee for organizing
and facilitating such a wonderful experience. The RAWI conference was a thoroughly enjoyable and effective forum for meeting people with like interests & goals, and for exploring important issues in the Arab American literary community….. " Heather Hoyt

"…. Thank you for everything you did to put this wonderful conference together. As someone who organizes many events here at Georgetown, I totally understand, and appreciate, all the hard work, energy, effort, and love that go into such undertakings. I enjoyed the weekend so much, and found it rejuvenating and nourishing to be around so many wonderful writers and people interested in literature, people who have a similar background--at least within our wide Arab-American spectrum. I loved the workshops and the panels. I am excited to be part of RAWI…." Zeina Seikaly

"…It was lovely meeting you at RAWI last weekend. I had a great time there and thought the whole conference was a huge success… " Laila Lalami
"…the conference was simply brilliant. I never thought I'd see the day when a conference happens without at least 20% of its participants complaining, and yet this conference seemed to have made everybody happy. I've gotten shining feedback…. (my wife) Diana kept telling me that I was glowing, and it was because I had such a fabulous time. I generally hate conferences and try to avoid them, but this one was...well, Naomi was correct, it was like being with family…." Steve Salaita

"…Mabrook on a wonderful first conference. I am sooo deeply saddened to have missed it. … I had planned to attend, but … In sha Allah next year! I just wanted to share my joy and congratulations at the success of the conference and send you my best regards. May you continue to do great work writing and organizing! All the best from Seattle." Lena Khalaf
"Thank you for the excellent … conference. It was a pleasure to meet you and see the fruits of your years of work. I was very pleased to attend and to meet other Arabic writers. Now, it's back to work. I'm trying to finish a novel by the end of July. Keep in touch." Frances K. Noble
"Congratulations. It was a great event." Kathryn Haddad
"Thank you for organizing such a great gathering of minds and artists. We really appreciate all that you have done it has helped us all move forward in our work…." Micaela Raen
-----------------------------

Repeated parting words of participants were "next year!" and four institutions have announced their readiness to host the next RAWI national conference! Before then we will see many more novels, essays, anthologies, poems, and awards from our growing community of talent and pride.

Thanks to the RAWI organizing committee who arranged the panels and workshops and were judges for the awards: David Williams, Susan Muaddi Darraj, Marian Haddad, Mohja Kahf, Steven Salaita, Jomana Amara, Lisa Suheir Majaj, Etel Adnan and Barbara Nimri Aziz.

The New York organizing committee members were Ahmed Issawi of Alwan for the Arts, Gerard Colby of National Writers Union, Maysoun Freij conference coordinator and BN Aziz, conference convener.

We welcome 23 new RAWI members our radius.

And we deeply thank the donors whose financial support made this possible.

END

New York City to celebrate Arab Heritage Month

NYC to Celebrate First Arab-American Heritage Week

What: Arab-American Heritage WeekWhen: Saturday July 9 through Saturday July 16, 2005 NEW YORK, July 11 -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg will officially declare Arab-American Heritage Week during festivities taking place between July 9 and 16.

New York City Arab-American organizations and museums will host events in order to introduce New Yorkers to the vast diversity of Arab people, their cultural traditions, customs, cuisine, art, music and dance.Arab Americans have resided in NY since the 1800's and have contributed to New York and the rest of the country in many ways. Today, over 200,000 Arab- Americans populate New York City. The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs has established Arab-American Heritage Week as an annual event in order to commemorate the community's presence and contributions over the years.

"As an educator, Heritage Week has been a long-time dream that Arab- Americans and I have wanted to share with fellow New Yorkers," said Debbie Almontaser, one of the event's principal organizers. "The week will give New Yorkers a chance to learn Arab cultural traditions - food, music, dance - the elements of life that exemplify how we are more alike than we are different as human beings."

This year, Heritage Week will kick-off on Saturday July 9th with the 3rd Annual Arab-American Cultural Street Festival and the 7th Annual North-African Cultural Street Festival, hosted jointly by the Network of Arab-American Professionals of New York (NAAP-NY) and the Algerian American Cultural Center (AACC).

Other events include a stand up comedy workshop lead by comedians Dean Obeidallah and Maysoon Zayid, presented by the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival (7/12) and Arab American Community Tours by Marry Ann DiNapoli in Brooklyn (7/9, 7/11). The films "Return to the Land of Wonders" and "The Thief of Baghdad" will be shown at the Two Boots Pioneer Theatre and the Museum of the Moving Image (7/13 and 7/16), and music lovers may catch an evening of Iraqi music featuring Amir Saffar, at Alwan for the Arts (7/15). Finally, the week will close with the Arab American Heritage Park Festival, sponsored by the Arab American Association of New York and the Arab American Family Support Center (7/16).

Sponsoring organizations include: Arab American Association of New York, Arab American Institute, The Arab-American Family Support Center, Alwan for the Arts, Salam Arabic Lutheran Church, Mahrajan of Middle Eastern Churches, Yemeni American Association, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Arab Muslim American Federation, Salaam Club of New York, and the Network of Arab-American Professionals of New York.For a complete listing of events or for more information about Arab- American Heritage Week, please visit:
http://www.arabamericanheritage.net
Source: Network of Arab-American ProfessionalsCONTACT: Debbie Almontaser, +1-917-559-8480, or Linda Sarsour,+1-917-306-3323, both for Network of Arab-American Professionals

Second Egyptian American announces candidacy for Egyptian presidency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hossam Shaltout Announces Bid
for Presidency of Egypt

Hossam Shaltout, an Egyptian peace activist and founder of Rights and Freedom International, today announced that he will be running for President of Egypt in the upcoming election. "I think that the time has come for reform in Egypt, and I know that I’m the person to accomplish it,” he said at a press conference today.

Shaltout stated that Egypt is in crisis and that new leadership is needed. “It’s time for us all to work for a better future for ourselves and, more importantly, for our children” he said. My presidency will result in that better future, he said during his news conference.

Shaltout, 58, a successful businessman, is a graduate of Cairo University’s Aerospace Engineering school. His extensive international experience positions him well to guide Egypt in the future. Shaltout has lived in Canada and the United States, and thus understands Western culture thoroughly.

He risked both his financial and his personal health in attempting to prevent America from attacking Iraq in 2003; indeed, as a result he was mistakenly arrested, detained, and tortured by American forces in Iraq.
Shaltout offered an aggressive agenda to pull Egypt out of its economic and political slump. Among his campaign themes are:
· Guaranteed government employment or payment of employment insurance and welfare
· Guaranteed (free) medical insurance
Elimination of corruption, in part by instituting United Nations audits
· Release of all political prisoners
· Total freedom of expression, including removal of restrictions on the media and formation of political parties
· Elimination of mandatory conscription (draft)
· Complete equality for women, including compensatory programs to assist them in becoming more productive members of society
· Working to provide affordable housing for all

For further information contactTel: +202 345 1627 or 1 888 800 6107E- Mail: ss@gte.netWebsite: www.rightandfreedom.com