AAI Khalil Gibran Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Director of Communications: Christina Zola <mailto:czola@aaiusa.org> , 202-429-9210, ext. 21 or 202-494-9859 ________________________________



Tenth Annual Kahlil Gibran "Spirit of Humanity" Awards Gala to Honor Refugees International, Reporters Without Borders for Commitment to Advocacy



U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois, Barenboim-Said Foundation Also to Receive Recognition at April 23 Event; "Law and Order" Star Sam Waterston to Present Award to Refugees International

WASHINGTON - March 20, 2008 - The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) will host the tenth annual Kahlil Gibran "Spirit of Humanity" Awards <http://www.aaiusa.org/page/m/693b759d3148665f/5SZ9n1/VEsE/> gala on Wednesday, April 23 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year's gala will honor Refugees International for its advocacy on behalf of the world's displaced people and its recent work on behalf of Iraqi refugees, and Reporters Without Borders for its courageous mission to promote press freedom worldwide.

"Law and Order" star Sam Waterston, a board member of Refugees International, will present the organization with the Award for International Commitment. Rami Khouri, editor of the Beirut-based Daily Star, will present the Award for Institutional Achievement to Reporters Without Borders. The organization's founder, Robert Menard, will travel from Paris to accept the honor.

U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois will receive the fifth annual Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service in recognition of his seven distinguished terms in Congress and his career long commitment to serving the public. The Barenboim-Said Foundation will receive special recognition for its programs to bring together young musicians from across the Middle East, a project begun by Daniel Barenboim and the late Edward W. Said. Said's widow, Miriam Said, will accept the recognition on behalf of the foundation.

Launched in 1999 by the Arab American Institute (AAI) and AAIF, the leading organizations in the promotion of the policy and community interests of Arab Americans, the awards gala focuses attention on acts of leadership that promote the common good and features prominent leaders from the diplomatic, business, philanthropic, and government sectors. The Kahlil Gibran "Spirit of Humanity" Awards are named for the renowned Arab American poet and author of The Prophet, whose message of human endurance and triumph was so evident in his life and work. This year's honorees epitomize that message:

* Refugees International has worked tirelessly for more than 25 years to focus attention on and advocate solutions for the world's more than 35 million displaced people and 11 million without a nationality. It is being recognized for its inspiring and life-saving work. Acting as a witness to the suffering of the displaced, Refugees International is able to translate its field interviews with war-affected populations, non-governmental organizations, and aid agencies into advocacy with decision makers that produces results.

* Reporters Without Borders is being honored for its advocacy on behalf of the rights and welfare of journalists, its support for freedom of the press, and its efforts to support the families of imprisoned journalists. Founded in 1985, Reporters Without Borders is now represented on all five continents. The organization is a founding member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, a virtual network of non-governmental organizations that monitors free expression violations worldwide and defends journalists, writers, and others who are persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression.

* Rep. Ray LaHood is serving his seventh and final term representing the 18th District of Illinois. First elected in 1994, Mr. LaHood has carried on a rich tradition of leadership from a U.S. House district which has been represented by American leaders such as Robert Michel, Everett Dirksen, and Abraham Lincoln. Early in his Congressional career, Mr. LaHood successfully worked with other Arab American members of Congress to persuade President Clinton to lift the travel ban to Lebanon. He has also been a champion for the increase in ASHA funding to universities in Lebanon.

* The Barenboim-Said Foundation grew out of the friendship between Daniel Barenboim, currently music director of the Staatsoper Berlin, and the late Edward W. Said, University Professor at Columbia University. Begun as a 1999 workshop in Weimar for young musicians from Israel and various Arab countries, the West Eastern Divan Orchestra was formed to combine musical study and performance with the sharing of knowledge and awareness between people from different cultures and backgrounds. The Foundation is grounded by the principle that music cannot be isolated from society. Its projects span across the Middle East with special attention to new programs for music education infrastructures in Palestine. These include the creation of a Palestinian Youth Orchestra, the Edward W. Said Music Kindergarten in Ramallah, and the Barenboim-Said Conservatory in Nazareth.

Past participants in the awards gala include former President Bill Clinton, Her Majesty Queen Noor al-Hussein, former President of Poland Lech Walesa, former Sen. George Mitchell, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, former Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, former professional boxer Muhammad Ali, and recording star Sting.

The Kahlil Gibran "Spirit of Humanity" Awards gala is the only annual event that supports the advocacy, research, and policy development that AAI and AAIF conduct throughout the year on behalf of Arab Americans nationwide.

The JW Marriot Hotel is located at 1331 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. in Washington, D.C. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m.; the gala dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Click here <http://www.aaiusa.org/page/m/693b759d3148665f/5SZ9n1/VEsF/> for additional background and details on the gala on AAI's website.

Media RSVP: If you are interested in covering this year's gala, please contact AAI Public Affairs Coordinator Andy Sabino <mailto:asabino@aaiusa.org> at 202-429-9210, ext. 26.

Vermont Academy offers Arab students scholarships to improve their Arabic language skills

The Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy is offering scholarships to students of Arabic heritage who want to continue and improve their knowledge of Arabic. We offer a four-week, residential, Arabic immersion summer camp in Vermont or California. See the MMLA website http://www.mmla.middlebury.edu
David Toomey
___________________
David C. Toomey, Ph.D.
Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy
72 South Main Street, Suite 350
White River Junction, VT 0500

1802.296.2459
www.mmla@middlebury.edu
mmla.info@middlebury.edu

AAI Condemns Congressman's Anti-Muslim Remarks, Calls on Congressional Leaders to Censure Rep. King

AAI Condemns Congressman's Anti-Muslim Remarks, Calls on Congressional Leaders to Censure Rep. King

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDirector of Communications: Christina Zola, 202-429-9210, ext. 21 or 202-494-9859

WASHINGTON - March 10, 2008 - The Arab American Institute (AAI) condemns remarks made by Congressman Steve King (R-IA) linking Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) to al-Qaeda and Islamist extremism and suggesting that the senator's election as U.S. President would jeopardize national security. AAI calls on Congressional leadership to formally censure these comments. AAI is deeply troubled that Senator Obama's name continues to raise suspicions about his religious affiliation and is especially concerned about how commonplace and acceptable it has become to defame and degrade Islam. Any notion that questions the fitness of any loyal American to elected office because of race or religion is unacceptable and must be addressed.

Congressman Steve King (R-IA) said this weekend that "if [Obama] is elected president, then the radical Islamists and their supporters will be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11 because they will declare victory in this War on Terror."

The congressman went on to say that "[Obama's] middle name does matter...because they read a meaning into that in the rest of the world...They will be dancing in the streets because of his middle name [and] because of who his father was and because of his posture that says: pull out of the Middle East and pull out of this conflict." These disparaging and dishonest comments by Congressman King only demonstrate how anti-Muslim rhetoric and general Islamophobia have come to be accepted in our national discourse since September 11, 2001.

"We believe that Congressman King's comments and behavior go beyond politics and partisanship and must be addressed by Congress as a whole," said AAI President Dr. James Zogby. "It is outrageous when a radio talk show host spews such venom, but it is much worse and sends a dangerous message when such statements come from the ranking Republican member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law. He must be held accountable by his colleagues."

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.

For more information on AAI, please visit http://www.aaiusa.org/page/m/69972188e345b449/q2xYul/VEsE/. 1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601 Washington, DC 20006phone (202) 429-9210 fax (202) 429-9214 http://www.aaiusa.org/page/m/69972188e345b449/OqYjqh/VEsF/ aai@aaiusa.org http://www.aaiusa.org/page/m/69972188e345b449/ZAHaMk/VEsC/

Statement on the Kidnapping of Chaldean Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDirector of Communications: Christina Zola, 202-429-9210, ext. 21 or 202-494-9859

Statement on the Kidnapping of Chaldean Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho

WASHINGTON - March 3, 2008 - The Arab American Institute is outraged by the kidnapping of Paulos Faraj Rahho, Archbishop of Mosul, and the killing of three men in his party. This despicable act against a peaceful leader of a vulnerable minority community violates every moral code.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the murdered men and the Chaldean community. We have every confidence that Archbishop Paulos will shame his captors with his moral bearing, and can only hope that his abductors will see that justice demands his immediate and unconditional release.

Sadly, this incident is evidence of a grave situation faced by most Iraqis since the U.S.-led invasion. The suffering of the entire Iraqi people is widespread, defining daily life in most areas of the country. This is due to the lack of a plan to secure the peace. While all Iraqis live in fear, the circumstances facing minority populations is worse. With no political factions or large private militias to protect them, Iraq's embattled minorities are at the mercy of their environment. As the abduction of Archbishop Paulos and the murder of his colleagues show, when there is no security, there is too little mercy.

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.
For more information on AAI, please visit http://www.aaiusa.org/page/m/56d614285e8b43ff/DFMKY1/VEsE/.

1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601 Washington, DC 20006
phone (202) 429-9210 fax (202) 429-9214
http://www.aaiusa.org/page/m/56d614285e8b43ff/RWVxJt/VEsF/ aai@aaiusa.org