Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Saudi Arabia offers support for victims of HUrricane Katrina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2005

CONTACT:
Saudi Information Office
202-337-4076
http://www.saudiembassy.net

KING ABDULLAH CALLS PRESIDENT BUSH TO EXTEND CONDOLENCES, OFFER SUPPORT

[Washington, DC] [August 31, 2005] – King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz today called U.S. President George W. Bush offering condolences to the victims of the disaster and the people of the United States from the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the loss of life and destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.

King Abdullah affirmed that Saudi Arabia stands with the United States as it faces this tragedy, and is ready to provide assistance to mitigate its effects and consequences.

On Monday, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi stated that Saudi Arabia stands ready to immediately increase its crude oil production to 11 million barrels per day, and sustain that level to replace any market shortages resulting from the effects of Hurricane Katrina in order to stabilize world crude prices.
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California (Garden Grove) Arab American Festival Sept. 18

ADC Press Release:
Participate in Arab American Day Festival in California

Washington, DC, August 31--The Arab American Council will be holding its 10th Annual Arab American Day Festival in Village Green Park, California, to celebrate the community’s culture and contributions in the US and elsewhere.The three-day Festival will take place between Friday, September 16 and Sunday, September 18, and will include folkloric performances, amusement rides, Arabic food stands, and exhibits. For more information about the Festival, sponsorship, or how to register a booth please contact the Festival Director, Ahmad Al-Alam at (714) 758 3507 or visit www.aafestival.com

When:Friday September 16 (6pm-10pm) Saturday
September 17 (12am-10pm)Sunday
September 18 (12am-10pm)

What:Friday: folkloric performances, amusement rides
Saturday & Sunday: amusement rides, Arabic food stands, exhibits, and cultural performances

Where:Village Green Park 12762 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA92840

CAIR urges Muslims and all faiths to support victims of Hurricane Katrina

MUSLIMS URGED TO AID HURRICANE VICTIMS -

CAIR asks Americans of all faiths to offer prayers of support

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/31/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today urged American Muslims and other people of conscience to offer whatever assistance they can to help alleviate the suffering of those impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

This week, Katrina left a trail of death and destruction along the Gulf Coast. Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco is declaring Wednesday a day of prayer.

In a statement, the Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group said:"We join Gov. Blanco in urging Americans of all faiths to pray for the victims of this unprecedented national disaster. As stated in the Quran, Islam's revealed text: 'Seek help with patience and prayer: for God is with those who are patient in adversity.' (2:153) We also offer condolences to the loved ones of those who died as a result of the hurricane's impact and urge everyone to contribute whatever they can, in both financial and human resources, to help alleviate the ongoing suffering."

CAIR asked mosques and Islamic centers throughout the Untied States to hold special blood drives, prayers and fundraising efforts for disaster relief.

Saudi expert to speak at series on US-Saudi relations Sept. 26-29, 2005 (Illinois Tour)

August 30, 2005
Contact: Sarah Silhan (773) 238-1086
For Immediate Release
Mary Morrissey (773) 238-3028 President, Council on American-Saudi Dialogue, and Former White House Aide, Les Janka, to speak on currentU.S. and Saudi Arabia relations

What: A discussion of the relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the challenges which lie ahead for the Bush administration and its foreign policy.Who: Mr. Les Janka, President, Council on American-Saudi dialogue and former Pentagon and White House senior international affairs staff member to Presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan.

When: A series of appearances beginning Monday, Sept. 26 and ending Thursday, Sept. 29.Monday, September 26 at 7 p.m. Peoria World Affairs Council Barrack’s Cater Inn, 1224 Pioneer Parkway, Peoria, Ill.

Tuesday, September 27 at 6 p.m. Rotary Club of Chicago, Rogers Park, Devon Bank, 6445 N. Western Ave., lower level.

Wednesday, September 28 at 7 a.m. Rotary Club of Central DuPage County Fairways Restaurant, Cantigny Golf Club, Mack Road, Wheaton, Ill.

Thursday, September 29 at noon, Chicago O’Hare Rotary Club The Great Escape Restaurant, 9540 W. Irving Park Road, Schiller Park, Ill.

*Mr. Janka will be available for interviews at each of these events, as well as between appearances. Please call Sarah Silhan to set a date and time to speak with Mr. Janka.

Background: Mr. Janka worked for the US Information Agency from 1964 to 1968, then served as the Assistant Dean of the School of Advanced International Studies until 1971, when he was appointed Special Assistant to Dr. Henry Kissinger on the National Security Council (NSC) at the White House. He became Senior NSC Staff Member for Legislative and Public Affairs in 1975. Moving to the Department of Defense in 1976, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Near Eastern, African and South Asian Affairs, and was awarded the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Medal in 1978.

Before joining the Reagan Administration, Mr. Janka worked as a consultant assisting major European corporations in marketing advanced military technology to the Pentagon. In 1983, after serving in the White House as Special Assistant to President Reagan and Deputy Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs, he joined Neill and Company, one of Washington’s premier foreign policy lobbying and public affairs consulting firms. As Executive Vice President, he led that firm’s extensive international political and trade advisory practice in the Middle East and Africa.

A native of California, Mr. Janka received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Redlands and his Master of Arts degree in International Economics and MiddleEastern Studies and Arabic from the Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of the John Hopkins University.

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Morrissey Public Affairs1917 W. 103rd Street, Ste. 5Chicago, IL 60643773-238-1086 direct773-550-5537 mobile

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Palestinian American Congress criticizes media coverage of Gaza evacuation

Press Release: The Palestinian American Congress
Israeli settlers evacuation from occupied Gaza and the Poor Media Coverageof the Gaza "Disengagement"

Media Contacts:Marwan El-Masri 617-694-3597 melmasri@earthlink.net
Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD Tel 203-676-2986 qumsi001@yahoo.com

New York 8/20/05-The Palestinian American Congress is appalled at the media coverage of the Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian Gaza Strip. The media is projecting the evacuation of Jewish settlers as an Israeli sacrifice filled with emotional scenes. No such coverage wasaccorded the destruction (with no compensation) of thousands of Palestinian homes. We urge the media to include a better and widerperspective beyond the hype of removing the Gaza settlers who representless than 2% of colonial settlers in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem).

According to International Law, all 450,000 settlers (half in East Jerusalem) are illegal and have been illegal for the past 38years. The media fails to mention the plight and the suffering of thePalestinians under Israeli occupation, the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank at an alarming rate, the continued confiscationof Palestinian land in East Jerusalem, and the continued constructionof the separation wall on Palestinian land.

"While the evacuation of Israeli presence from any portion of theoccupied territories is welcomed, it must be part of a negotiated planwith the Palestinians as dictated by the U.S. envisioned road map toencompass a future contiguous Palestinian state" said Sameer Tuffaha, Chairman of the Board of the Palestinian American Congress.

We call on the US and the International Community to insist that Israelcomply with International Law and International Human Rights standards.PAC has available a list of speakers in all major US cities and inseveral states who can provide a Palestinian perspective on issues likethe disengagement smokescreen, the wall being built on Palestinianland, settlements in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and refugees.(resources below)

The Palestinian American Congress (PAC)P.O.Box 2302, Astoria, New York 11102

http://www.pac-national.org/

Monday, August 22, 2005

Racist Washington DC radio host fired for anti-Islamic remarks

DC RADIO HOST FIRED OVER ANTI-ISLAM REMARKSContact WMAL to show support for its decision(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/22/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today applauded a Washington, D.C., radio station's decision to fire a talk show host who stated repeatedly that "Islam is a terrorist organization."The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said media reports indicate that WMAL-AM fired host Michael Graham last Friday after he refused to retract his anti-Islam statements, make an on-air apology and conduct additional outreach efforts to the Muslim community and others offended by his words.The controversy began last month when Graham stated: 1. "Islam is a terrorist organization." 2. "Islam is at war with America." 3. "The problem is not extremism. The problem is Islam." 4. "We are at war with a terrorist organization named Islam." Other listeners said that Graham even encouraged a public "backlash" against Muslims. (Graham later claimed he meant a backlash of social pressure, not violent attacks on Muslims.)In response, CAIR initiated a public campaign against WMAL and the station's advertisers after receiving complaints from listeners who heard Graham make those anti-Islam remarks. While WMAL initially stood behind Graham, it changed its position after hundreds of people responded to the group's action alerts by contacting the station and its sponsors."Just as Michael Graham has the right to hold bigoted views, so, too, does our society have the right to live free of hatred and incitement," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We are saddened that Michael Graham would not take responsibility for his hate-filled words, but we do welcome WMAL's action as a step toward reducing the level of anti-Muslim bigotry on our nation's airwaves."Awad thanked the local Metropolitan-D.C. Muslim community, interfaith leaders and the many people in America and worldwide who contacted WMAL and its advertisers to express their concerns over Graham's bigoted comments.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED:1. CONTACT WMAL to thank the station for making Michael Graham's suspension permanent. CONTACT: Mr. Chris Berry, President & General Manager (202-895-2333), and Mr. Randall Bloomquist (202-895-2327), Program Director, WMAL, 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington DC, 20015. Switchboard: 202-686-3100 FAX: (202) 537-0009 (To be on a WMAL talk show, call 202-432-WMAL, toll free 888-630-WMAL.)
E-MAIL: randall.bloomquist@abc.com,
ernie.fears@abc.com,
chris.j.berry@abc.com