Life Partners to Provide Medicine to Children in Pakistan

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Life Partners to Provide Medicine to Children in Pakistan

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing efforts to alleviate human suffering, the American relief organization, Life for Relief and Development (Life) in partnership with another humanitarian organization, will be providing two major shipments of children's medicines with a value of over two and half million dollars to hospitals and clinics in Pakistan.

Working with Another Joy Foundation, based in Nevada, Life shipped out supplies of decongestants and antibiotics for children valued over $2.6 million dollars, to be distributed to various hospitals and clinics in Pakistan. One shipment was sent this week and the second shipment will follow next week. Flights are being provided courtesy of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

These shipments are part of Life's ongoing humanitarian campaign to provide urgently needed aid to the hospitals and clinics in Pakistan, in the aftermath of the floods in Pakistan.

Commenting on these relief efforts, Life President & CEO Dr. Mujahid Al-Fayadh stated, "The children of Pakistan have suffered greatly from the devastation of the floods and shortage of medicines, and we are proud to partner with Another Joy Foundation to provide these medicines to help ease the suffering of the innocent children there."

For further information on these relief efforts or on how to help, please visit www.lifeusa.org or call 1-800-827-3543.

end

NEW POLL: Attacks on Pro-Israel Congresswoman Backfire Jewish voters continue to overwhelmingly support Jan Schakowsky

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2010

CONTACT: Amy Spitalnick
amy@jstreet.org

NEW POLL: Attacks on Pro-Israel Congresswoman Backfire
Jewish voters continue to overwhelmingly support Jan Schakowsky

WASHINGTON — In a congressional race closely watched for attempts to make Israel a wedge issue, a new poll in Representative Jan Schakowsky’s district released today shows attacks on the congresswoman’s pro-Israel credentials have not only failed, but actually backfired.

By a 65-23 margin, Congresswoman Schakowsky leads her Republican opponent Joel Pollak among Jews in Illinois’ Ninth Congressional District.  This tracks her support with Jews in the 2008 Congressional race despite the dramatic shift in the political environment facing Democrats in this midterm election and the extra $500,000 that Pollak has spent in this campaign, as compared to Schakowsky’s 2008 opponent.  In fact, Pollak’s Israel-related attacks made the 35 percent of Jews who heard the criticism more likely to vote for Schakowsky than Pollak.

The poll, conducted by Gerstein | Agne Strategic Communications, surveyed 400 Jewish voters in Schakowsky’s district from October 18-24. The poll was sponsored by J Street, the political arm of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement.

Pollak has made Israel-related attacks a centerpiece of his campaign, bringing in high profile right-wing Israel activists including Daniel Pipes, Jennifer Rubin, and Alan Dershowitz to headline his fundraisers. The strategy confounded many political watchers given Representative Schakowsky’s 12-year track record championing Israel’s cause in Congress. She has sponsored and co-sponsored legislation to advance Israel’s military advantage in the region and has worked to sustain US leadership to facilitate a negotiated two-state resolution as the only way to secure Israel’s future as a Jewish, democratic homeland.

The Chicago Sun-Times wrote in its October 1, 2010 endorsement of Representative Schakowsky: “Where Pollak, a legal researcher and writer, completely runs afoul of the truth, however, is in his effort to portray Schakowsky as insufficiently pro-Israel. What nonsense... She has been an unwavering friend of Israel, with an overwhelmingly strong pro-Israel voting record.”

“This poll clearly demonstrates that Jewish voters will stand behind candidates who stand up for the pro-Israel, pro-peace policies, which are supported by the vast majority of American Jews,” said Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street’s founder and president.

The flaws in Pollak’s strategy are exposed by statistical evidence that Jews are not single-issue voters, and, moreover, Israel is far from the top of their list of decisive issues. Only 14 percent of Jews in the district consider Israel one of their top two priorities in deciding how to vote, ranking the economy (53 percent), healthcare (24 percent) and education (21 percent) above it. This small number of Jews who prioritize Israel is slightly higher than the national average, due to the district’s larger population of Orthodox Jews, who are more politically conservative, more hawkish and more focused on Israel than reform, conservative, and unaffiliated Jews.

The poll also reveals a gap between the conventional wisdom about Mark Kirk’s standing with Jewish voters and Mark Kirk’s actual standing with Jewish voters.  Among Jews in Illinois’ Ninth Congressional District – which neighbors Kirk’s own Tenth Congressional District – Kirk trails Alexi Giannoulias 56-28 in the highly contested Illinois Senate race. Despite the fact that Kirk has staked his reputation in the Jewish community on a hawkish legislative record of support for Israel, he is viewed unfavorably by 57 percent of Jews in the district, with only 20 percent viewing him favorably. By comparison, Giannoulias enjoys a 41 percent favorable rating, with only 31 percent viewing him unfavorably.

Despite aggressive attacks on President Obama’s Mideast policies by Pollak and national organizations attempting to whip up anti-Obama fervor, 67 percent of Jews in the district say they approve of the way that Obama is handling his job as President.  When asked about whether they agree with Obama’s handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict, nearly 6-in-10 Jewish voters say they agree with his policies (32 percent agree and like the way he is executing the policies and 27 percent agree but don’t like the way he is executing the policies; only 29 percent disagree with the President’s policies).

Gerstein | Agne Strategic Communications designed the questionnaire for this survey of 400 Jewish registered voters in Illinois’ Ninth Congressional District, conducted October 18-24, 2010. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percent.  The survey was conducted by telephone, calling a random sample of registered voters with Jewish names and people who self-identify as Jewish in consumer data that has been appended to the voter file.  Respondents were re-screened at the beginning of the survey when they were first asked for their religion and then, if they did not identify themselves as Jewish by religion, they were asked again if they considered themselves Jewish.  No phone calls were made during the Jewish Sabbath.

Gerstein | Agne is a Washington-based strategic research firm that conducts public opinion research for non-profit organizations, charities, civic institutions, candidates for elected office, and Fortune 500 companies. Jim Gerstein has conducted extensive public opinion research with American Jews and was involved in the Clinton Administration’s outreach to the Jewish community. He has also conducted public opinion research in Israel, and was a senior member of the American team that oversaw the polling, focus groups, and paid media efforts for Ehud Barak’s 1999 campaign for Prime Minister.

Click here to view Jim Gerstein's memo summarizing the poll's findings.

Click here to view the full results of the poll.

###

Jack G. Shaheen 2011 Mass Communications Scholarships

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Jack G. Shaheen 2011 Mass Communications Scholarships
                                                                                 14th Consecutive Year
                                                                            Join the 45 previous winners!!   
                                                                                     Amount $1000

Purpose: To honor Arab-American students who excel in media studies

Eligibility:  College students classified as Juniors or Seniors, or enrolled in graduate school for the 2011-2012 academic year
                Majoring in Journalism, radio, television, and/or film
                A minimum 3.0 GPA
                A U.S. citizen of Arab heritage

Submissions:  Hard copy applications only.  Please submit the following items to the ADC Research Institute.
                A one page statement explaining your goals and why you merit the scholarship, and stating that you are a U.S. citizen of Arab                  
                heritage.
                Two original signed letters of recommendation from professors of Mass Communications.
                Copies of your articles, videos, films, and so forth (these items will not be returned to you)
                Official academic transcripts, including your GPA.
                Your permanent home address, e-mail address, phone number, and your phone number during the school year, if different.

Deadline: April 1, 2011 (note: Incomplete, non hard copy or late applications will not be accepted).

Submit all materials to ADC Research Institute
                                 Attention: Mr. Nabil Mohamad,  ADC Vice President
                                 1732 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
                                 Washington, D.C.  20007
                                 Telephone: 202-244 2990

Press Briefing with Ambassador Maen Areikat and guest moderator Omar Dajani.

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Join us for an important and timely Press Briefing with Ambassador Maen Areikat and guest moderator Omar Dajani.

"What Does the Palestinian Plan for Statehood Mean for the Peace Process?"

WHEN: Wednesday October 27, 2010 at 11:30 AM EDT

Palestinian officials announced this week that as long as illegal settlement building continues they would not negotiate with Israel and instead consider going directly to the United Nations and other international bodies for recognition of an independent Palestinian state in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 (West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem). Harshly criticized by the Israeli government, the newly-announced Palestinian strategy comes in the wake of the most recent round of negotiations, which ground to a halt as Israel refused to extend its partial moratorium on illegal settlement building.

GUESTS:

Ambassador Maen Areikat is the PLO Representative to the United States in Washington D.C. He previously served for eleven years at the Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD) of the PLO in Ramallah, most recently as its Deputy Head and Coordinator-General (2008-2009).

Omar Dajani (Moderator) is a former Palestinian negotiator and former Political Advisor to UN Special Coordinator Terje Roed-Larsen. Dajani is a law professor at McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific.

LISTEN live by calling (347) 989-8355 or by visiting http://www.blogtalkradio.com/imeu/2010/10/27/what-does-the-palestinian-plan-for-statehood-mean-

QUESTIONS may be posed live via telephone, by pressing 1 during the call to be placed in the queue, by live chat on the press briefing webpage, or via Twitter by including @IMEUDOTNET in your tweet with your question.

If you miss the call, the discussion will be archived at the link above or you can find it by visiting the IMEU at www.imeu.net.

CONTACT: Call Ismail Khalidi at (646) 824-7982 or email ismail@imeu.net for quick access to sources in the U.S., Israel and Palestine for this and other developing stories.

---

Ismail Khalidi
Communications Manager
Institute for Middle East Understanding
www.imeu.net
Office: (718) 514-9662
Cell: (646) 824-7982
Follow us via Twitter at: http://twitter.com/imeudotnet

Human Rights Watch Honors Recent Noble Peace Prize Winner and Leading Egyptian Activist

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Human Rights Watch Honors Recent Noble Peace Prize Winner and Leading Egyptian Activist

 Human Rights Watch Annual Voices for Justice Dinner on November 8

What: The Human Rights Watch Chicago Committee honors individuals who have put their safety and lives at risk in order to defend human rights. On November 8, two advocates will receive the Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism, HRW’s highest achievement at the annual Voices for Justice dinner:

·         Liu Xiaobo, who recently received the Nobel Peace Prize, is being recognized for his incredible advocacy work for free assembly and expression rights in China. 

·         Hossam Bahgat has made exceptional sacrifices in the defense of the personal freedoms of all Egyptians and is founder and director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR).

This event serves to not only recognize their remarkable work, but also to shed light on the continuing human rights abuses that are taking place throughout the world. 

When: Monday, November 8, 2010 (6:00 – 9:00 p.m.)

Who: Hossam Bahgat, one of the award recipients, will be in attendance.  Due to Liu Xiaobo’s current imprisonment, a friend and fellow human rights advocate from China will serve as his representative.  Ken Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch and Jim Hoge, current Human Rights Watch Chairman of the Board and former publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times, will also be present.

The Human Rights Watch Chicago Committee is sponsoring the Voices for Justice Dinner.  Founded by Susan Manilow, Judy Gaynor and Jonathan Fanton in 2004, the Committee is part of a global network of regional support committees composed of opinion leaders from a variety of backgrounds. The Committee is currently chaired by Margaret Duncan of McDermott Will & Emery and Carolyn Grisko of Carolyn Grisko & Associates.

Where: The reception begins at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 pm, at the Swissôtel (323 E. Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60601). 

To register for the event and for more information about the work of Human Rights Watch, please visit: www.hrw.org/chicago. There will be photo opportunities throughout the event, and an HRW representative will be available for interviews as well.

###

About Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for change and raise the cost of human rights abuse.

ADC Hosts U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan

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ADC Hosts U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | October 26, 2010 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) extends its utmost thanks to Major General  J. Scott Gration, U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan, for addressing the community on the evening of October 25.  The private off-the-record town hall was held at the Crystal City Double Tree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.  In hosting this event, ADC partnered with the Sudanese-American community, including the Sudanese-American Community Development Organization (SADCO), the Southern Sudanese Community of Greater Washington, DC, and the Sudan Unity Project (SUP).

In March 2009, President Obama appointed Maj Gen Gration to his current position.  After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Maj Gen Gration served as the CEO of Millennium Villages; and  then joined the Safe Water Network where he helped to provide safe water to vulnerable populations in India, Bangladesh, and Ghana.  He was a National Security Adviser to the Obama Presidential campaign, and served as a Special Assistant to the President before being appointed to his current position.  Maj Gen Gration spent his childhood days in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in the Republic of Kenya. 

The event provided an opportunity for community members to hear first hand from Maj Gen Gration about the status of peace negotiations and what the future may hold for Sudan.  He directly responded to the concerns of the community through a question and answer session.    We are grateful to Maj Gen Gration for his openness and accessibility at this special, most informative presentation. 

ADC National President, Ms. Sara Najjar-Wilson, stated that, “ADC and all of our Arab American community thank Maj Gen Gration for his untiring peaceful quest on behalf of Sudan and the entire world community.  We greatly appreciate his special appearance to address our community, and wish him continued success in his endeavors."

###

Contact: adc@adc.org
             202-244-2990

Chicago American Arab Community to Honor Ziyad Brothers Importing Nov. 21

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Chicago American Arab Community to Honor Ziyad Brothers Importing Nov. 21

(Chicago, ADC) -- Ziyad Brothers Importing will receive the 2011 Community Service of the Year Award at a dinner banquet recognizing their many years of supporting organizations and community groups and for the positive impact their business has had in portraying Arabs and Muslims in America.

The award is being presented by the Chicago Chapter of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), a not-for-profit organization which for the past 30 years has led the fight to defend individuals victimized for discrimination and bigotry.

Hollywood Actor and filmmaker Sayed Badreya will be the keynote speaker at the dinner to be held Sunday, November 21 at Pazzos Restaurant & Banquets at 311 S. Wacker Drive. Badreya has appeared in dozens of major motion pictures including Iron Man and Independence Day. He produced and starred in the feature film AmericanEast which portrayed the challenges facing American Arabs and Muslims after Sept. 11, and he is now producing two more films for major distribution later next year.

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in the Nov. 2 election, is also expected to make the award presentation to the Ziyad family during the event.

“When you attend every event in the American Arab or Muslim community, you will almost always see an advertisement, or a sponsorship of the event and a table representing the Ziyad family there,” said ADC Chicago President Dr. Hatem Galal.

“The Ziyad Family has done so much for everyone in Chicago and we felt this would be a fitting way for the community to express its gratitude.”

The event is a fundraiser for ADC, a 501 ( c ) 3 organization. Advertisements, sponsorships and a portion of the $75 ticket ($45) are deductible to supporters.

“Beyond their dedication to not only supporting the events of others, Ziyad Brothers Importing is always there to help those in need, donating to many social service organizations, mosques and churches for the betterment of our community,” Galal added.

“No one can doubt the powerful impact that they have helped to make in presenting the positive image of Arabs and Muslims in America through their support of community organizations and events and through their wide array of food products which are among the most recognized in the American Arab community.”

Ziyad Brothers Importing was founded in 1966 by immigrants Ahmad and Ibrahim Ziyad. Ahmad Ziyad passed away in 1996. Today the company is run by Ibrahim Ziyad and his son Nezar, and by Ahmad’s three sons Nemer, Nassem and Nazmy.

“We are very honored and humbled by this award. But, we are most honored that this dinner banquet will help strengthen and raise funds for one of the community’s most important organizations, ADC. We are very proud to be a part of that effort,” said ZBI Executive Vice President Nemer Ziyad.

For more information on the event and to purchase tickets or place a congratulatory advertisement, visit www.ADCChicago.com. To get more information on Ziyad Brothers Importing, visit www.Ziyad.com.

END

==== ======

Please help ADC honor the Ziyad Brothers Importing family Nov. 21

On Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, Ziyad Brothers Importing will receive the 2011 Award for Community Service at a dinner banquet hosted by the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).

The dinner is being held to express community gratitude for the support Ziyad Brothers Importing has shown to the American Arab and Muslim community since their founding in 1966, and the success of their food products in helping to define a more positive image of Arab culture.

I was hoping you might consider buying an advertisement in the Dinner Ad Book to congratulate Ziyad Brothers Importing.

All donations (Ads or sponsorships) to ADC are tax deductible (including $45 of the $75 dinner tickets). ADC is a non-political 501 ( c ) 3 not-for-profit whose sole mission is to defend the civil rights of individuals both in and outside of the American Arab and Muslim community. It is the largest grass roots organization of its kind.

The dinner tickets are $75 each ($750 per table of 10)

A Full Page Ad (8 x 10 inches) in the Ad Book is $1,000.

A Half Page Ad (8 x 5 inches) in the Ad book is $600.

All Ads must be camera-ready. You can forward a PDF to this address.

All payments should be made to          ADC

Mail payments (and Ad) to ADC

PO Box 2127

Orland Park, IL, 60462

Or, you can purchase tickets or pay for advertisements using PayPal by going online at www.ADCChicago.com. Tickets purchased online can be picked up the evening of the dinner.

ADC Banquet

Pazzos Restaurant and Banquets

311 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago

Reception 6:30 dinner 7:30 pm

Featured speakers

-          Hollywood Actor/Filmmaker Sayed Badreya (Iron Man, Independence Day, AmericanEast)

-          Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (Democratic nominee for the US Senate in the Nov. 2 election)

-          Safa Rifka, National ADC Chairman

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. This is a big event for Ziyad Brothers and your support of the dinner banquet would help to make it even more successful.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 312-933-9855 cell

RAY HANANIA

ADC National Board

At ATFP Gala, Sec. Clinton Vows Administration “Will Not Turn Our Backs” on Palestinians, Israelis

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At ATFP Gala, Sec. Clinton Vows Administration “Will Not Turn Our Backs” on Palestinians, Israelis

Washington DC, October 21 -- “I promise you this: The Obama administration will not turn our backs on the Palestinian people or the people of Israel,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told an audience of over 700 in a major policy address last night. She spoke at the Fifth Annual Gala of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) in Washington DC. Expressing the administration's determination to push forward with the peace process, she said, “we will continue working every day to achieve the just, lasting and comprehensive peace that has been a cornerstone of U.S. policy for years. We believe it is possible, it is necessary, and it is the only way.”

Sec. Clinton also emphasized the importance of the Palestinian state and institution building program which, she said, “which may receive fewer headlines but it is also critically important.” Sec. Clinton praised Palestinian economic development and the performance of the new security forces, but noted that during her recent visit to Ramallah “it was impossible to forget the painful history of a people who have never had a state of their own. For most Americans, it is hard to imagine living behind checkpoints and roadblocks, without the comforts of peace or the confidence of self-determination.” She affirmed that, “The legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people will never be satisfied until there is a two-state solution that ensures dignity, justice, and security for all.”

Sec. Clinton thanked ATFP President Ziad Asali, “for your leadership of this important organization, and for your steadfast support of peace.” She said the Task Force has “provided a welcome voice of reason and steady advocacy on behalf of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.” She also noted and praised the charitable efforts of ATFP's sister organization, American Charities for Palestine, and congratulated the evenings' honorees, quoting from the work of one of them, poet Naomi Shihab Nye.

In his introduction to the Secretary, Dr. Asali noted that “has transformed the way in which expectations are defined and achievement evaluated.” He told the Secretary that, “with boundless courage and tireless drive, you beat long odds and overcame overwhelming obstacles. The Palestinians too are creating something which is difficult, they too chafe against a history which has discouraged veering from its path, and they too are being told that it cannot be done.” He also affirmed that, “Your bold statement that our country must assure that the 'Palestinians build the institutions of their future state, an effort which must continue during the negotiations' is one that we at ATFP applaud and support without reservation."

At the Gala, ATFP honored four outstanding Palestinian Americans: Colonel (Ret.) Peter Mansoor, Jr. Chair of Military History at Ohio State University and former Executive Officer to General David Petraeus; renowned poet Naomi Shihab Nye; award-winning playwright Betty Shamieh, and Ghassan Salameh, an Executive Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton. The Gala audience was also treated to a performance by the acclaimed Palestinian-American comedienne Maysoon Zayid.

For the complete text of Sen. Clinton's remarks click here. For the complete text of Ziad Asali's introduction click here. For more information about the gala click here.

end

Arabi-issh schedules new Chicago show

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Chicago Arab Comics Continue to Create a New Home for Stand-Up Comedy
 
Chicago, IL – October 18th 2010 – Arab-issh comedians Khaled TheComic and Mo Na are producing another installment of their hugely successful Arab-issh: Stand Up Comedy.  This stand-up comedy show entitled Arab-issh: Block Party, with completely new material, is on Saturday, October 23, 2010 @ 7:30 PM SHARP! [777 N. Green St, Chicago.  For tickets: http://theaterland.thundertix.com/ and http://www.arab-issh.com/].  Created by Chicago’s own Khaled TheComic and co-founded with Mo Na Arab-issh has become a local authority on MidEast stand-up and sketch comedy in Chicago. Arab-issh is the next generation of comedians calling the MidEast, Mediterranean, North Africa or South Asia their ancestral home. These artists use comedy to discuss their lives, vision and experiences straddling two cultures while living in North America. With unique perspectives on mistaken and misunderstood identity, Arab-issh shares the scary, mundane and funny real-life situations with audiences and critics.
 
As one of the most important American cities for stand-up and sketch comedy, Chicago embraces a fresh new look at Arab/American comedy with Arab-issh.  Founders Khaled and Mona have worked Chicago’s very diverse stand-up scene playing to crowds all over the city including: African American, Latino, White and “Other” audiences.    
 
The opening co-headliner for Arab-issh: Block Party will be Chicago’s own Khaled TheComic.  Khaled was born in Texas to (mostly) Palestinian parents and raised in Indiana next door to his Lebanese grandmother. He brings a fresh, smart perspective to comedy Khaled currently resides in Chicago and has performed at a wide range of comedy clubs in the US and Canada.  You can find Khaled TheComic on Facebook and KhaledTheComic on Twitter and YouTube.
 
This show will also bridge various communities in the Chicagoland area by including other comics such as Gwen La Roka, Peter Kremidas and Tony Vincent.  These comics bring their unique perspectives and insights to Arab-issh and add a multitude of layers to this stand-up comedy show.  Inspired by the overwhelming reception by audiences to their quirky multi-cultural upbringing Mo Na and Khaled TheComic continue to team up to bring some of the countries strongest Arab comedians to Chicago as well as work with a diverse range of local comedians.
 
The closing co-headliner is Mo Na.  Born near Wrigley Field, Mo Na has lived in Europe, the Middle East and Africa but calls all sides of Chicago her home.  Mo Na draws funny from her truly diverse lived experiences as well as the awesome Arab/American upbringing with her Arab Father and American Mother.  Mo Na finds one thing to be true: “Funny is everywhere…so let’s use it for good people!” You can find Mo Na on Facebook and LilMoComedy on Twitter.
 

New Book Chronicles the Whistle Blower of Israel’s WMD Program, Mordechai Vanunu’s Freedom of Speech Trial and how an American novelist became the reporter who followed it

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New Book Chronicles the Whistle Blower of Israel’s WMD Program, Mordechai Vanunu’s Freedom of Speech Trial and how an American novelist became the reporter who followed it

[Clermont, Fl.]  October 11, 2010—“BEYOND NUCLEAR: Mordechai Vanunu's FREEDOM of SPEECH Trial and My Life as a Muckraker: 2005-2010” by Eileen Fleming also documents the Whistle Blower of Israel’s weapons of mass destruction program's childhood in Morocco, multiple crises of faith, 18 years in jail, and 6 ½ years under restrictions that have denied him the right to leave Israel and speak to foreigners.

In 1985, Vanunu shot two rolls of film in top-secret locations in the Dimona, Israel’s seven-story underground nuclear weapons facility in the Negev and he served 18 years in jail for treason and espionage.

According to Fleming, “I was not a reporter when I met Vanunu in June 2005, but I was inspired to become one to tell his story and my experiences with hundreds of nonviolent Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights activists who are seeking security for Israel through justice for Palestine: an end to the military occupation.”

On January 25, 2006, Vanunu’s freedom of speech trial began for speaking to foreign media in 2004. In 2010, he served a sentence of 78 days in solitary confinement.

On October 4, 2010, the International League for Human Rights-FIDH/AEDH Germany, announced Vanunu was awarded the 2010 Carl-von-Ossietzky-Medal and an international campaign was launched to assure he be at the Award Ceremony, in Berlin on December 12, 2010.

On October 11, 2010, at 1 PM, Vanunu returns to the Supreme Court seeking to rescind the restrictions that have denied him the right to leave Israel since he was released from jail on April 21, 2004.

Fleming ends his saga with Vanunu waiting in Tel Aviv, for Israel to release him to full freedom.

About the Author:

Eileen Fleming is a registered nurse by education and writer by vocation. She is the Founder and Editor of WeAreWideAwake.org, a feature correspondent for Arabisto.com, a staff member of Salem-News.com and published by dozens of Internet sites. She produced “30 Minutes with Vanunu” and “13 Minutes with Vanunu” which are streaming on her site. Fleming is also the author of KEEP HOPE ALIVE and THIRD INTIFADA/UPRISING: NONVIOLENT but with Words Sharper than a Two-Edged Sword.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Eileen Fleming
E-mail: <BeyondNuclear2010@gmail.com>
Phone: 352-242-1919
Web: http://www.wearewideawake.org

PDF COPIES of BEYOND NUCLEAR: Mordechai Vanunu's FREEDOM of SPEECH Trial and My Life as a Muckraker: 2005-2010 are available to the Media and Book Reviewer’s via <BeyondNuclear2010@gmail.com>

Eileen Fleming will be in Tehran, Iran from 5-20^th of November 2010, researching her fourth book, but will be available for INTERVIEWS before and after she returns.

###

FREEMUSE & DEEYAH PRESENT: LISTEN TO THE BANNED

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FREEMUSE & DEEYAH PRESENT: LISTEN TO THE BANNED 

Music that makes dictators tremble and fundamentalists angry.

Listen to the Banned is a unique collection of contemporary songs by artists who have been censored, persecuted, taken to court, imprisoned and even tortured for a very simple reason – their music.

Music brings joy and gives a voice to the “voiceless” - a power that earns the condemnation of intolerant religious leaders and dictators alike. 

Presented by Freemuse and Deeyah, the compilation is a unique musical statement by artists who are united in one single, important issue – the protection of the freedom of musical expression, a freedom many take for granted.

Their stories are told in the accompanying booklet. They include the story of Lapiro de Mbanga, who is currently imprisoned in Cameroon for a song critical of his country’s President and the story of Mahsa Vahdat, prevented from performing solo shows in her native country Iran.  Also included are Chiwoniso Maraire (Zimbabwe), Farhad Darya (Afghanistan), Marcel Khalife (Lebanon), Tiken Jah Fakoly (Cote d’Ivoire), Abazar Hamid (Sudan), Kamilya Jubran (Israel / Palestine), Kurash Sultan (Uighuristan), Ferhat Tunc (Turkey), Aziza Brahim (Western Sahara), Haroon Bacha (Pakistan), Fadal Dey (Cote d’Ivoire) and Amal Murkus (Israel / Palestine).

 

Freemuse is the only international organization dedicated to protecting musicians and composers’ right to freedom of expression. The CD has been compiled by Deeyah, an artist who has stopped performing after having endured constant intimidation and physicals threats throughout her career.

The album is being released in the Western Hemisphere by Valley Entertainment on October 26, 2010 and available now at www.valley-entertainment.com. 

“This is a collection of songs from artists around the world who have faced censorship or had their music banned. These artists and other like them in the different corners of the world must have the right to exist and freely express their feelings and opinions through their art. We can not allow our freedom of expression to be compromised. Music must not be silenced”        

- Deeyah

For more information, please contact Eric Mace at Valley Entertainment via email, eric@valley-entertainment.com, or by phone, 1-212-580-9200 ext. 11.

Still Waiting for Justice; 25 Years Since Alex Odeh's Murder

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Still Waiting for Justice

25 Years Since Alex Odeh's Murder

Washington, DC | October 6, 2010 | www.adc.org -- October 11, 2010, marks the 25th anniversary of the murder of Alex Odeh.  Alex was killed on October 11, 1985, when a powerful pipe bomb exploded as he unlocked and opened the door of the ADC office in Santa Ana, California.  In addition to killing Alex Odeh, the bomb injured several other victims.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) case into Alex Odeh’s murder remains open, with an up to a $1 million reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.  However, no arrest has yet been made in spite of the fact that press reports have stated over the years that the FBI identified members of the Jewish Defense League (JDL) as suspects.  None of the identified JDL individuals has ever been charged or prosecuted in connection with the murder, and some have fled to Israel.

ADC and the Arab-American community are deeply troubled that the perpetrators have been at large for 25 years, despite all the available leads to resolving Alex’s murder.  The lack of closure of Alex’s murder by the FBI and the Department of State (DOS) has been viewed as a sign that the life of an American civil rights advocate with Palestinian roots is not valued by the U.S. Government as much as other American lives.  ADC demands that the FBI and DOS show good faith by redoubling genuine efforts, and allocating necessary resources for resolving, once and for all, this domestic terrorism case.  The Arab-American community will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice.

ADC President, Sara Najjar-Wilson, states: “Our entire community continues its deep concern for Alex’s family, urges that proactive action be taken against the perpetrators of Alex’s murder by our governmental authorities, and demands that those perpetrators be brought to justice.  We call on the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of the FBI, and the Secretary of State to give high priority to this unsolved terrorist act, and to speedily and finally (after 25 years) help somewhat ease the pain of Alex’s family and friends.”

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Book Signing: “Hidden Histories: Palestine and the Eastern Mediterranean.”

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

“Hidden Histories: Palestine and the Eastern Mediterranean.”

Book Signing and Discussion

By 

Professor Basem L. Ra’ad 

October 18, 2010 6:00 PM

ADC Heritage Center

1732 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20007

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) Invites you to a book signing on Monday, October 18, 2010 at the ADC Heritage Center.  Professor Basem L. Ra’ad will be discussing and signing his new book “Hidden Histories: Palestine and the Eastern Mediterranean.”  

 

For thousands of years, the region of Palestine and the East Mediterranean has been denied an indigenous voice to narrate an inclusive history. Three major religions ascribe their origins to this part of the world, appropriating and re-appropriating the “Holy Land” time and again. This book offers a powerful corrective to common understandings. It emphasizes the long history of a region called “the cradle of civilization,” and dispels many old and new myths­covering issues related to constructs, claims and terminologies, regional mythologies and religions, invention and exploitation of sacred sites, the alphabet, ancient languages and place names, identity construction,  appropriation, self-colonization, and retrieval of ancient heritage. The book shows that ignorance is not always bliss. It is intended for general readership and for students and academics interested in history, religion, biblical studies, politics, archaeology, anthropology, literature, and cultural studies.

 

Copies of “Hidden Histories: Palestine and the Eastern Mediterranean” will be available for purchase.

Basem L. Ra’ad is a Professor at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem. Born in Jerusalem, he received his education in Jordan, Lebanon, the U.S. and Canada, earning a Ph.D. at the University of Toronto in 1978. He has been an editor and community organizer, and has taught in Canada, Bahrain, Lebanon and Palestine.

 

Space is limited

RSVP is required by October 17, 2010

Please email your confirmation to 

RSVP@ADC.ORG

Local Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to be featured on Chicagoland radio

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

Local Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to be featured on Chicagoland radio

Elmhurst, Il – Soldiers from the Chicagoland land area serving in Afghanistan and Iraq will speak to the Chicagoland audiences about their experiences in a new segment to be broadcast on “The Ray Hanania Show” on WJJG AM 1530 radio called “Voices of our Soldiers.”

The new segment is being coordinated with the U.S. Military command in Kabul, Afghanistan and in Baghdad, Iraq.

The first interview will be with Sgt. Joshua Hall, whose mother is from Yorkville and fiancée lives in Batavia, Illinois. The segment will be broadcast live from Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010 at 9 am Chicago time (6:30 pm Afghanistan).

Hall is a member of the US Army infantry fighting the terrorists, al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. The public is invited to call in and show support for the troops by calling 708-493-1530 during the segment.

“This is an exciting segment for the show. As a veteran who served during the Vietnam War, I am very proud of our military who have served to protect this country from terrorism and extremist violence,” said show host Ray Hanania.

Hanania, a former City Hall reporter (77-92) and radio talk show host at WLS AM, launched the WJJG radio show in February 2008. The program focuses on listener talk and interviews with people in the news.

The program is broadcast Monday through Friday, Mon-Thurs 8-9:30 am and Fri 7 to 9 am. On Fridays, Hanania simulcasts a show between 7 and 8 am with WNZK in Detroit, Michigan focusing on American Arab issues. Hanania is American Palestinian. His co-host in Detroit is Laila elHussini who is American Syrian.

The audience can listen to the show on radio and also live on the Internet every morning. The show also broadcasts in live video, too, at www.RadioChicagoland.com. WJJG AM 1530 broadcasts primarily to the Northern Illinois region and is a daytime FCC licensed station. The signal can be picked up as far south as Orland Park, Illinois and to the Wisconsin and Iowa borders.

Hanania is an award winning syndicated columnist on mainstream American and Middle East issues. His columns are published in local community newspapers and his Middle East column is published in the Jerusalem Post and distributed by Creators Syndicate.

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