Discrimination against Arabs in Chicago could jeopardize the Chicago bid and Mayor Daley has the ability to change it. But will he?
-- Ray Hanania
Showing posts with label Arab Americans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arab Americans. Show all posts
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Chicago 2016 Olympic bid jeopardized by Mayor Daley's failure to seriously address needs of American Arabs
Commentary on Mayor Daley and the 2016 Olympic Bid
Discrimination against Arabs in Chicago could jeopardize the Chicago bid and Mayor Daley has the ability to change it. But will he?
-- Ray Hanania
Discrimination against Arabs in Chicago could jeopardize the Chicago bid and Mayor Daley has the ability to change it. But will he?
-- Ray Hanania
Saturday, January 24, 2009
New Movie portrays Arabs in realistic light, now available on DVD
All Mustafa an Egyptian American Muslim widower ever wanted to do was live the “American Dream.”
And, maybe pay off some family debts, turn his small New Jersey falafel shop into a fancy restaurant, raise his two motherless children as good Muslims and Americans, insure his sister married in a proper and arranged Muslim marriage to his first cousin, and possibly, if there is time, even find a wife himself.
But Mustafa’s American Dreams, like the American Dreams of many Arabs living in America after Sept. 11, 2001, don’t come easy, and his story, really the story of the Arab American experience today, makes for a compelling drama and one of the best movies about Arab American life I have seen.
Maybe that’s why “American East,” a film made by two professional Arab American actors and producers, was never released into the American movie theaters. Not one major theater would pick the film up and play it to an American audience so lacking in any knowledge about Arab Americans in the post-Sept. 11th world.
The story of the movie itself, written and produced by Hesham Issawi and Sayed Badreya, who plays the film’s main actor, Mustafa, is a part of this American tragedy, which might have been better titled “Shattered American Dreams.”
Yet despite the bias, the bigotry, the absence of major mainstream media coverage and support, and the rejection of the film by a Hollywood industry that is built on hatred of Arab Americans, Issawi and Badreya have produced one hell of a great film that in a dramatic and award winning way tells the inside story of how Arab Americans have been abused and mistreated in this country through the eyes of one man and the people around him.
Though “American East” will not be released in theaters, it will be released in DVD format beginning January 20.
Running through the film is Mustafa’s (Badreya) first dream, to open a fancy restaurant in Los Angeles with his friend Sam (Tony Shalhoub), who is Jewish and Egyptian. They both encounter resistance from skeptical locals and families and friends that expose common misunderstandings about Arabs and Islamic cultures as they explore building a business together.
But it gets far more complicated than that.
Mustafa must soon decide if he will take the easy road and succumb to societal pressures or rise above the prejudices and live the American Dream.
There have been several post-9/11 films like “Babel,” “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Syriana,” but all of them have been about the bigger political context, offering a tepid glimpse into the reality of today’s world. “American East” digs much deeper and there are no sacred cows on any side.
This film, though, is powerful. Poignant. And brings everything together in a way the mainstream American audience could better understand the problems that exist around us and that complicate not help the “war on terrorism.”
Mustafa’s life is one of a string of tragedy and problems all related to Sept. 11 and American public fears. He’s done absolutely nothing wrong, but everything he does now looks suspicious. He’s arrested by the FBI and they question him about his friendships and money he donates to help his family back home.
His business, Habibi’s Café, is about to close and is damaged. His business investments are about to fall through. The Arab-Israeli conflict rages in debate among his friends. His family life is collapsing and he worries about whether his children will be able to survive in this society.
Yet, despite all the tragedy that falls upon Mustafa and his family, he manages to say what every Arab American says at the height of their own tragic experiences in this country, “I still believe in this country.”
The film has been compared to Spike Lee’s popular movie “Do the Right Thing.” Like Lee’s film, “American East” tells the story of discrimination and challenge facing African Americans in this country from an African American viewpoint, but also reflecting the reality of Black-White relations.
“American East” exposes the prejudice that exists on all sides, including in the Arab American community. It has a decent reflection of the diversity of the Arab American community itself, although the main focus is about issues facing Muslims and Christian Arabs, who are the majority in the Arab American community, are really a side show in the film. It’s an oversight we experience everyday in Arab American life and that needs to be changed, someday. But until then, this amalgam of Arab American storylines comes together to give the audience a powerful ending.
“American East” touches on many aspects of Arab American life, from the challenges that even face Arab American actors in Hollywood who can either play terrorists in films or not play anyone at all. It explores the reality of a family that lives in the West and embraces Western culture but that still believes it is okay to marry off young single women to older men they have never met and only meet weeks before a marriage ceremony is held.
The film also explores how young Arab American children face the challenges of being singled out because of their race and religion? “Dad, why am I a Muslim? Why is my name Muhammad? Why don’t we celebrate Christmas?” all questions many Arab Muslim children eventually ask their parents.
It’s the same experience that Jewish American children go through, though, and that is one aspect of the film that is very powerful. It shows that the Arab American experience in America today although unique, is also a reflection of the very same experiences that every ethnic and racial immigrant group has faced in settling in this country.
Except for Arab Americans, though, who have been in America from the beginning, their Twilight Zone has been endlessly drawn out and not resolved because of the never ending Arab-Israeli conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian Arab people.
The film is also somewhat experimental, including a cartoon montage depicting a brief history of Islam that Issawi credits to the style of Michael Moore’s 2002 Documentary, “Bowling for Columbine.”
And the film also has its critics in the Arab and Muslim community, too, extremists who want all or nothing, and usually end up with nothing every time. A great track record of failure which they proudly hail as success.
The aspect of the film that has upset many Arabs and Muslims is the relationship Issawi crafts between Mustafa and Sam, the Jewish Egyptian businessman who is his longtime friend and now a partner in a business venture that becomes strained by the government questioning, arrests and harassment.
In an interview in the Los Angeles Times, one of the few in the mainstream media, by the way, Issawi touched on the problems he faced.
“Escaping stereotypes and the seething history and politics of the Middle East, especially regarding relations between Jews and Arabs, can get artists into trouble. Issawi’s portrayal of the friendship between Mustafa and Sam, who convinces his Jewish family to partner with Mustafa in a restaurant, angered critics at the Egyptian film festival. Egypt made peace with Israel in 1979, but it is a political pact, not a cultural or artistic one. Films, music and books dealing with “normalization” are often vilified.
“ ‘It was hell,’ Issawi said of the news conference following the screening of ‘American East.’ ‘I was getting attacked by everybody. “How dare you try to make normalization with Israel.” And this was coming from journalists and critics. It was unbelievable. There was hypocrisy to it. I mean, don’t we Egyptians have a peace treaty with Israel?’’ ”
How dare you indeed, Mr. Issawi, make a great movie that tells the truth to everyone, even if everyone doesn’t want to hear the truth at all. That’s the essence of a great film and “American East” is in fact one of the great films that you must see to enjoy, to learn and to understand.
-- Ray Hanania
www.RadioChicagoland.com
And, maybe pay off some family debts, turn his small New Jersey falafel shop into a fancy restaurant, raise his two motherless children as good Muslims and Americans, insure his sister married in a proper and arranged Muslim marriage to his first cousin, and possibly, if there is time, even find a wife himself.
But Mustafa’s American Dreams, like the American Dreams of many Arabs living in America after Sept. 11, 2001, don’t come easy, and his story, really the story of the Arab American experience today, makes for a compelling drama and one of the best movies about Arab American life I have seen.
Maybe that’s why “American East,” a film made by two professional Arab American actors and producers, was never released into the American movie theaters. Not one major theater would pick the film up and play it to an American audience so lacking in any knowledge about Arab Americans in the post-Sept. 11th world.
The story of the movie itself, written and produced by Hesham Issawi and Sayed Badreya, who plays the film’s main actor, Mustafa, is a part of this American tragedy, which might have been better titled “Shattered American Dreams.”
Yet despite the bias, the bigotry, the absence of major mainstream media coverage and support, and the rejection of the film by a Hollywood industry that is built on hatred of Arab Americans, Issawi and Badreya have produced one hell of a great film that in a dramatic and award winning way tells the inside story of how Arab Americans have been abused and mistreated in this country through the eyes of one man and the people around him.
Though “American East” will not be released in theaters, it will be released in DVD format beginning January 20.
Running through the film is Mustafa’s (Badreya) first dream, to open a fancy restaurant in Los Angeles with his friend Sam (Tony Shalhoub), who is Jewish and Egyptian. They both encounter resistance from skeptical locals and families and friends that expose common misunderstandings about Arabs and Islamic cultures as they explore building a business together.
But it gets far more complicated than that.
Mustafa must soon decide if he will take the easy road and succumb to societal pressures or rise above the prejudices and live the American Dream.
There have been several post-9/11 films like “Babel,” “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Syriana,” but all of them have been about the bigger political context, offering a tepid glimpse into the reality of today’s world. “American East” digs much deeper and there are no sacred cows on any side.
This film, though, is powerful. Poignant. And brings everything together in a way the mainstream American audience could better understand the problems that exist around us and that complicate not help the “war on terrorism.”
Mustafa’s life is one of a string of tragedy and problems all related to Sept. 11 and American public fears. He’s done absolutely nothing wrong, but everything he does now looks suspicious. He’s arrested by the FBI and they question him about his friendships and money he donates to help his family back home.
His business, Habibi’s Café, is about to close and is damaged. His business investments are about to fall through. The Arab-Israeli conflict rages in debate among his friends. His family life is collapsing and he worries about whether his children will be able to survive in this society.
Yet, despite all the tragedy that falls upon Mustafa and his family, he manages to say what every Arab American says at the height of their own tragic experiences in this country, “I still believe in this country.”
The film has been compared to Spike Lee’s popular movie “Do the Right Thing.” Like Lee’s film, “American East” tells the story of discrimination and challenge facing African Americans in this country from an African American viewpoint, but also reflecting the reality of Black-White relations.
“American East” exposes the prejudice that exists on all sides, including in the Arab American community. It has a decent reflection of the diversity of the Arab American community itself, although the main focus is about issues facing Muslims and Christian Arabs, who are the majority in the Arab American community, are really a side show in the film. It’s an oversight we experience everyday in Arab American life and that needs to be changed, someday. But until then, this amalgam of Arab American storylines comes together to give the audience a powerful ending.
“American East” touches on many aspects of Arab American life, from the challenges that even face Arab American actors in Hollywood who can either play terrorists in films or not play anyone at all. It explores the reality of a family that lives in the West and embraces Western culture but that still believes it is okay to marry off young single women to older men they have never met and only meet weeks before a marriage ceremony is held.
The film also explores how young Arab American children face the challenges of being singled out because of their race and religion? “Dad, why am I a Muslim? Why is my name Muhammad? Why don’t we celebrate Christmas?” all questions many Arab Muslim children eventually ask their parents.
It’s the same experience that Jewish American children go through, though, and that is one aspect of the film that is very powerful. It shows that the Arab American experience in America today although unique, is also a reflection of the very same experiences that every ethnic and racial immigrant group has faced in settling in this country.
Except for Arab Americans, though, who have been in America from the beginning, their Twilight Zone has been endlessly drawn out and not resolved because of the never ending Arab-Israeli conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian Arab people.
The film is also somewhat experimental, including a cartoon montage depicting a brief history of Islam that Issawi credits to the style of Michael Moore’s 2002 Documentary, “Bowling for Columbine.”
And the film also has its critics in the Arab and Muslim community, too, extremists who want all or nothing, and usually end up with nothing every time. A great track record of failure which they proudly hail as success.
The aspect of the film that has upset many Arabs and Muslims is the relationship Issawi crafts between Mustafa and Sam, the Jewish Egyptian businessman who is his longtime friend and now a partner in a business venture that becomes strained by the government questioning, arrests and harassment.
In an interview in the Los Angeles Times, one of the few in the mainstream media, by the way, Issawi touched on the problems he faced.
“Escaping stereotypes and the seething history and politics of the Middle East, especially regarding relations between Jews and Arabs, can get artists into trouble. Issawi’s portrayal of the friendship between Mustafa and Sam, who convinces his Jewish family to partner with Mustafa in a restaurant, angered critics at the Egyptian film festival. Egypt made peace with Israel in 1979, but it is a political pact, not a cultural or artistic one. Films, music and books dealing with “normalization” are often vilified.
“ ‘It was hell,’ Issawi said of the news conference following the screening of ‘American East.’ ‘I was getting attacked by everybody. “How dare you try to make normalization with Israel.” And this was coming from journalists and critics. It was unbelievable. There was hypocrisy to it. I mean, don’t we Egyptians have a peace treaty with Israel?’’ ”
How dare you indeed, Mr. Issawi, make a great movie that tells the truth to everyone, even if everyone doesn’t want to hear the truth at all. That’s the essence of a great film and “American East” is in fact one of the great films that you must see to enjoy, to learn and to understand.
-- Ray Hanania
www.RadioChicagoland.com
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
ADC to release national report on hate crimes
ADC PRESS CONFERENCE ON DEC. 4 TO RELEASE REPORT ON HATE CRIMES
Lieutenant Colonel Koury, US Army National Guard, To Describe Ongoing Discrimination, Hostile and Abusive Work Environment For First Time
Washington, DC December 1, 2008 www.adc.org The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) will hold a press conference to release its “Report on Hate Crimes and Discrimination Against Arab Americans” on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at its Washington, DC headquarters and you are invited to join us. This event is free and open to the public, please RSVP to laila@adc.org .
The report spans four years and examines: hate crimes and discrimination; civil liberties concerns; discrimination and bias in primary and secondary educational institutions; discrimination and political harassment campaigns in higher education; defamation in the media; communication and cooperation between community organizations and government agencies; and recommendations for the future. This report was made possible by The Ford Foundation and The Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Included at the press conference will be the story of Lieutenant Colonel
(LTC) Lance Koury, a long-time member of the Alabama National Guard who for years has been subjected to a hostile and abusive work environment.
LTC Koury will be telling his story and taking questions in public for the first-time during the press conference.
WHAT: Press Conference to Discuss Report Findings
WHEN: Thursday, December 4 at 10 am
WHO: ADC and LTC Lance Koury, US Army National Guard
WHERE: ADC, 1732 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, DC 20007
HOW: Send RSVP to laila@adc.org
Lieutenant Colonel Koury, US Army National Guard, To Describe Ongoing Discrimination, Hostile and Abusive Work Environment For First Time
Washington, DC December 1, 2008 www.adc.org The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) will hold a press conference to release its “Report on Hate Crimes and Discrimination Against Arab Americans” on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at its Washington, DC headquarters and you are invited to join us. This event is free and open to the public, please RSVP to laila@adc.org .
The report spans four years and examines: hate crimes and discrimination; civil liberties concerns; discrimination and bias in primary and secondary educational institutions; discrimination and political harassment campaigns in higher education; defamation in the media; communication and cooperation between community organizations and government agencies; and recommendations for the future. This report was made possible by The Ford Foundation and The Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Included at the press conference will be the story of Lieutenant Colonel
(LTC) Lance Koury, a long-time member of the Alabama National Guard who for years has been subjected to a hostile and abusive work environment.
LTC Koury will be telling his story and taking questions in public for the first-time during the press conference.
WHAT: Press Conference to Discuss Report Findings
WHEN: Thursday, December 4 at 10 am
WHO: ADC and LTC Lance Koury, US Army National Guard
WHERE: ADC, 1732 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, DC 20007
HOW: Send RSVP to laila@adc.org
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Navy Seals Fitness Challenge Sat Sept. 6 -- has Arab American component
Reminder – Tuesday, Sept 3 Media Day - Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge and Saturday, Sept 6 Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge UIC Chicago
Alissar Langworthy – Diversity Advisor
Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge
269-832-2882
You and your colleagues are invited to Media Day, held 72 hours before the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge (Sat., Sept. 6 at UIC.) Media Day is any time between 6am and 2pm on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at University of Illinois Chicago at (or outside of) the Physical Education Building, 839 W. Roosevelt, Chicago. This is chance for you and your newsroom friends to get in there and try elite SEAL events such as push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, a 500 yd. swim, or a 1.5 mile run. Great photo fodder….
About 30 elite Navy SEALS will be running the show, and they will be available for interviews.
All of Mayor Daley’s health agencies are solidly behind the fitness challenge…the executive director of the Mayor’s Fitness Council - Colleen Lammel-Harmon – can do 6 pull-ups. (Females have a very hard time with pull ups.) This firecracker of a woman is available for interviews as are the other VIPs from the Chicago Dept. of Health, Chicago Parks and Recreation, Chicago office of the United States Dept. of Health and Human Services, etc.
Media Day is all yours, but I have to know if you’re coming….RSVP to Ginny Richardson at 630-789-8555, Ext 10 or grichardson@gr-pr.com. Thanks for your consideration of both Media Day and the release below.
Ginny
P.S. Electronic Press Kit with photos: http://www.gr-pr.com/navy/
_______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
Press contact: Ginny Richardson, GR-PR
630-789-8555, Ext. 10 or grichardson@gr-pr.com
electronic press kit: http://www.gr-pr.com/navy/
Navy SEALs promote fitness in order to halt obesity
[CHICAGO, IL – Aug. 26, 2008] The Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge takes place Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Physical Education Building, 839 W. Roosevelt, Chicago. The Challenge is free and open to anyone age 13 or older, city or suburb, male or female. It consists of five fitness events: a 500-yard swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and a 1.5 mile run.
Taking place to promote fitness and to heighten awareness of the epidemic of obesity, the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compare personal fitness levels with those of the elite Navy SEALs.
“The Navy SEALs are highly respected and admired for their vital role in national defense,” said Dr. Terry Mason, commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health. “That they would choose Chicago for this initiative speaks well of our City. It gives us an opportunity to showcase the many talented and fit individuals who live in our great City, and it challenges the rest of us to step it up a notch.”
“This Challenge is a means to encourage citizens of Chicago and its suburbs to improve fitness and to utilize our SEAL standard as a way to measure their own level of fitness,” said Duncan Smith, Captain, Navy SEAL.
The events:
500 yd. swim – Standard: 12 ½ minutes. Competitive: 10 minutes
Push-ups – Standard: 42 in two minutes. Competitive: 80 in two minutes
Sit-ups - Standard: 50 in two minutes. Competitive: 80 in two minutes
Pull-ups – Standard: 6. Competitive: 11 (no time limits)
1.5 mile run – Standard: 11 minutes. Competitive: 10 minutes
Chicago is the fifth stop of the national tour of The Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge. The inaugural challenge kicked off more than a year ago in Boston. Since then, the challenge has taken place in San Antonio, Los Angeles and Dearborn.
“Let’s show ‘em what Chicago is made of,” said Corey Garner, director of the Chicago Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge. “We’re hoping for an unprecedented number of competitors - of all fitness levels – to rise to the challenge.”
Individuals are welcome as are groups such as family members, neighbors, running clubs, classmates, members of a football team, fitness clubs or someone looking for inspiration to begin a program of better physical fitness. Anyone who participates is welcome to invite an unlimited number of cheering spectators. Encouragement is very helpful to each participant. In addition to watching the exciting events, spectators will have the extraordinary opportunity to meet and talk with the elite Navy SEALS.
Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge competitors will be scored and ranked against each other, with all participants receiving a dog tag and a complimentary commemorative white T-shirt with the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge logo. Earning a tan T-shirt means the competitor met SEAL standards, and a blue T-shirt means the participant has met Navy SEAL competitive standards which indicates a superb athlete.
All participants should pre-register by going to http://www.sealfitnesschallenge.com/ and choose a time slot in which to compete. Teams may register for the same time slot, however there will be no exceptions made to accommodate an entire team, once a time slot is full. All participants under the age of 18 are required to provide parental or guardian consent.
Early registration is suggested.
Be Fit – Be There!
###
Ginny Richardson, President Ginny Richardson Public Relations 15 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 317 Hinsdale, IL 60521 630-789-8555, Ext. 10 http://www.gr-pr.com/
Alissar Langworthy – Diversity Advisor
Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge
269-832-2882
You and your colleagues are invited to Media Day, held 72 hours before the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge (Sat., Sept. 6 at UIC.) Media Day is any time between 6am and 2pm on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at University of Illinois Chicago at (or outside of) the Physical Education Building, 839 W. Roosevelt, Chicago. This is chance for you and your newsroom friends to get in there and try elite SEAL events such as push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, a 500 yd. swim, or a 1.5 mile run. Great photo fodder….
About 30 elite Navy SEALS will be running the show, and they will be available for interviews.
All of Mayor Daley’s health agencies are solidly behind the fitness challenge…the executive director of the Mayor’s Fitness Council - Colleen Lammel-Harmon – can do 6 pull-ups. (Females have a very hard time with pull ups.) This firecracker of a woman is available for interviews as are the other VIPs from the Chicago Dept. of Health, Chicago Parks and Recreation, Chicago office of the United States Dept. of Health and Human Services, etc.
Media Day is all yours, but I have to know if you’re coming….RSVP to Ginny Richardson at 630-789-8555, Ext 10 or grichardson@gr-pr.com. Thanks for your consideration of both Media Day and the release below.
Ginny
P.S. Electronic Press Kit with photos: http://www.gr-pr.com/navy/
_______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
Press contact: Ginny Richardson, GR-PR
630-789-8555, Ext. 10 or grichardson@gr-pr.com
electronic press kit: http://www.gr-pr.com/navy/
Navy SEALs promote fitness in order to halt obesity
[CHICAGO, IL – Aug. 26, 2008] The Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge takes place Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Physical Education Building, 839 W. Roosevelt, Chicago. The Challenge is free and open to anyone age 13 or older, city or suburb, male or female. It consists of five fitness events: a 500-yard swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and a 1.5 mile run.
Taking place to promote fitness and to heighten awareness of the epidemic of obesity, the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compare personal fitness levels with those of the elite Navy SEALs.
“The Navy SEALs are highly respected and admired for their vital role in national defense,” said Dr. Terry Mason, commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health. “That they would choose Chicago for this initiative speaks well of our City. It gives us an opportunity to showcase the many talented and fit individuals who live in our great City, and it challenges the rest of us to step it up a notch.”
“This Challenge is a means to encourage citizens of Chicago and its suburbs to improve fitness and to utilize our SEAL standard as a way to measure their own level of fitness,” said Duncan Smith, Captain, Navy SEAL.
The events:
500 yd. swim – Standard: 12 ½ minutes. Competitive: 10 minutes
Push-ups – Standard: 42 in two minutes. Competitive: 80 in two minutes
Sit-ups - Standard: 50 in two minutes. Competitive: 80 in two minutes
Pull-ups – Standard: 6. Competitive: 11 (no time limits)
1.5 mile run – Standard: 11 minutes. Competitive: 10 minutes
Chicago is the fifth stop of the national tour of The Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge. The inaugural challenge kicked off more than a year ago in Boston. Since then, the challenge has taken place in San Antonio, Los Angeles and Dearborn.
“Let’s show ‘em what Chicago is made of,” said Corey Garner, director of the Chicago Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge. “We’re hoping for an unprecedented number of competitors - of all fitness levels – to rise to the challenge.”
Individuals are welcome as are groups such as family members, neighbors, running clubs, classmates, members of a football team, fitness clubs or someone looking for inspiration to begin a program of better physical fitness. Anyone who participates is welcome to invite an unlimited number of cheering spectators. Encouragement is very helpful to each participant. In addition to watching the exciting events, spectators will have the extraordinary opportunity to meet and talk with the elite Navy SEALS.
Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge competitors will be scored and ranked against each other, with all participants receiving a dog tag and a complimentary commemorative white T-shirt with the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge logo. Earning a tan T-shirt means the competitor met SEAL standards, and a blue T-shirt means the participant has met Navy SEAL competitive standards which indicates a superb athlete.
All participants should pre-register by going to http://www.sealfitnesschallenge.com/ and choose a time slot in which to compete. Teams may register for the same time slot, however there will be no exceptions made to accommodate an entire team, once a time slot is full. All participants under the age of 18 are required to provide parental or guardian consent.
Early registration is suggested.
Be Fit – Be There!
###
Ginny Richardson, President Ginny Richardson Public Relations 15 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 317 Hinsdale, IL 60521 630-789-8555, Ext. 10 http://www.gr-pr.com/
Friday, August 01, 2008
Iraqi Jazz Concert in Chicago August 7
The full series press release is attached for your reference. You can hear some music samples here:
http://www.millenniumparkconcerts.org/madeinchicago/
Thanks,
Kennon
Amir ElSaffar’s Two Rivers Large Ensemble
Thursday, August 7, 6:30 pm
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park
Free admission
Chicago-born, Iraqi-American trumpeter and vocalist Amir ElSaffar (pictured) fuses traditional Iraqi Maqam music with modern jazz in a new work written for a 15-piece ensemble of Arabic and Western instrumentation. In this concert, ElSaffar contrasts the Iraqi modalities with the heavy grooves and free textures of jazz, while still maintaining the feeling of the blues. The ensemble includes Amir ElSaffar (trumpet, santoor, vocal); Jeff Parker (guitar); Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto saxophone); Zafer Tawil (‘ud, violin, percussion); Tareq Abboushi (buzuq); Jason Adacewicz (vibes); Jeb Bishop (trombone); Geof Bradfield (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet); Carlo DeRosa (bass); Dena ElSaffar (violin, viola, jowza); Naeif Rafah (nay); Nasheet Waits (drums); Wanees Zarour (buzuq, violin, riqq) and Mohammed Saleh.
(Other than Nasheet, Carlo, Tareq and Zafer, all of the musicians are either from, have lived in, or currently live in Chicago.) Full series press release attached for your reference.
http://www.millenniumparkconcerts.org/madeinchicago/
Thanks,
Kennon
Amir ElSaffar’s Two Rivers Large Ensemble
Thursday, August 7, 6:30 pm
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park
Free admission
Chicago-born, Iraqi-American trumpeter and vocalist Amir ElSaffar (pictured) fuses traditional Iraqi Maqam music with modern jazz in a new work written for a 15-piece ensemble of Arabic and Western instrumentation. In this concert, ElSaffar contrasts the Iraqi modalities with the heavy grooves and free textures of jazz, while still maintaining the feeling of the blues. The ensemble includes Amir ElSaffar (trumpet, santoor, vocal); Jeff Parker (guitar); Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto saxophone); Zafer Tawil (‘ud, violin, percussion); Tareq Abboushi (buzuq); Jason Adacewicz (vibes); Jeb Bishop (trombone); Geof Bradfield (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet); Carlo DeRosa (bass); Dena ElSaffar (violin, viola, jowza); Naeif Rafah (nay); Nasheet Waits (drums); Wanees Zarour (buzuq, violin, riqq) and Mohammed Saleh.
(Other than Nasheet, Carlo, Tareq and Zafer, all of the musicians are either from, have lived in, or currently live in Chicago.) Full series press release attached for your reference.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Arab History Conference Dec. 7-9, 2007
The Arab American Historical Foundation
cordially invites to its second annual
Arab American History Conference
hosted by
The University of Maryland
College Park., MD
December 7-9, 2007
Prof. Suheil Bushrui
conference chairman
For registration and to place ads in the conference program book, contact:
Conference committee
Arab American Historical Foundation
POBox 291159, Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 466-9800, (818) 507-0333,
fax: (818) 246-1936
e-mail: newscircle@sbcglobal.net
www.arabamericanhistory.org
www.arab-american-affairs.net
Conference Speakers:
Among confirmed scholars to present papers at the Arab American History Conference are:
Dr. Anan Ameri
Director of the Arab American National Museum, author of
several books about Arab Americans, Detroit, Michigan.
Sami Asmar
Physicist at NASA’s Jet Prepulsion Laboratory(JPL) Pasadena,
California, manages a group investigating plenetary gravity via spacecraft radio
signals; will address the historic role of Arab American scientific contributions;
Advisory Board member of the Arab American Historical Foundation.
Prof. Miles L. Bradbury
Professor in the Department of History, University of
Maryland teaches courses on U.S. History and Early American History with
a special interest in Ameen Rihani and his times.
Prof. Suheil B. Bushrui
Director of the Kahlil Gibran Chair for Values and Peace Project at the
Center for Heritage Resource Studies, the University of Maryland.
The Chair is the first academic forum in the world devoted to the preservation of
Gibran’s legacy and the promotion of East-West intercultural relations. He is the foremost
authority on the works of Kahlil Gibran, and has done extensive work in Arabic and
English on Ameen Rihani and his intellectual legacy as a bridge-builder between the East and the West.
Dr. Sawsan El Hady
Egyptian scholar; one time Professor of Arabic at the
University of Beijing, China; the University of New Zealand; author and consultant.
Dr. Edmund Ghareeb
Is the first Mustafa Barzani Scholar of Global Kurdish
Studies at American University’s Center for Global Peace and Adjunct Professor
of Middle East History and Politics in the School of International Service;author.
Hon. Nick J. Rahall
Congressman, Fourth District, West Virginia, since 1977.
Became the youngest member of the 95th Congress at 27, Washington, DC.
Prof. Paul Shackel
Associate Chair and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Heritage Resource
Studies at the University of Maryland. His research interests include: historical
archaeology, industrial archaeology, complex societies, labor history, consumer
behavior and public history.
Richard Shadyac, Esq.
Attorney and former executive director of ALSAC/
St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital which recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary, Virginia.
Dr. Irfan Shahid
Professor of Arabic and Islamic Literature at Georgetown
University where he teaches courses on Classical Arabic Poetry and Prose, and
Arabic Literature and Culture. He has written on Gibran and Rihani, and has a
special interest in the literary tradition of Arab-American writers.
He is giving the keynote address at the Second Arab-American History Conference.
Prof. Michael Suleiman
Professor at the University of Kansas,
author of several books about Arab Americans, Kansas.
Poet Henri Zoghaib
Director, The Center for Lebanese Heritage,
Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon.
___________________________
The Arab American Historical Foundation:
The Arab-American Historical Foundation (AAHF) was established in Los Angeles, 1978,
by Joseph R. Haiek, publisher of The News Circle/Arab American Affairs magazine and
the Arab American Almanac series, to promote preservation and dissemination of Arab-American history.
It is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3). For more details, contact:
The Arab American Historical Foundation:
POBox 291159, Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 466-9800, (818) 507-0333,
fax: (818) 246-1936
e-mail: newscircle@sbcglobal.net
www.arabamericanhistory.org
cordially invites to its second annual
Arab American History Conference
hosted by
The University of Maryland
College Park., MD
December 7-9, 2007
Prof. Suheil Bushrui
conference chairman
For registration and to place ads in the conference program book, contact:
Conference committee
Arab American Historical Foundation
POBox 291159, Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 466-9800, (818) 507-0333,
fax: (818) 246-1936
e-mail: newscircle@sbcglobal.net
www.arabamericanhistory.org
www.arab-american-affairs.net
Conference Speakers:
Among confirmed scholars to present papers at the Arab American History Conference are:
Dr. Anan Ameri
Director of the Arab American National Museum, author of
several books about Arab Americans, Detroit, Michigan.
Sami Asmar
Physicist at NASA’s Jet Prepulsion Laboratory(JPL) Pasadena,
California, manages a group investigating plenetary gravity via spacecraft radio
signals; will address the historic role of Arab American scientific contributions;
Advisory Board member of the Arab American Historical Foundation.
Prof. Miles L. Bradbury
Professor in the Department of History, University of
Maryland teaches courses on U.S. History and Early American History with
a special interest in Ameen Rihani and his times.
Prof. Suheil B. Bushrui
Director of the Kahlil Gibran Chair for Values and Peace Project at the
Center for Heritage Resource Studies, the University of Maryland.
The Chair is the first academic forum in the world devoted to the preservation of
Gibran’s legacy and the promotion of East-West intercultural relations. He is the foremost
authority on the works of Kahlil Gibran, and has done extensive work in Arabic and
English on Ameen Rihani and his intellectual legacy as a bridge-builder between the East and the West.
Dr. Sawsan El Hady
Egyptian scholar; one time Professor of Arabic at the
University of Beijing, China; the University of New Zealand; author and consultant.
Dr. Edmund Ghareeb
Is the first Mustafa Barzani Scholar of Global Kurdish
Studies at American University’s Center for Global Peace and Adjunct Professor
of Middle East History and Politics in the School of International Service;author.
Hon. Nick J. Rahall
Congressman, Fourth District, West Virginia, since 1977.
Became the youngest member of the 95th Congress at 27, Washington, DC.
Prof. Paul Shackel
Associate Chair and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Heritage Resource
Studies at the University of Maryland. His research interests include: historical
archaeology, industrial archaeology, complex societies, labor history, consumer
behavior and public history.
Richard Shadyac, Esq.
Attorney and former executive director of ALSAC/
St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital which recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary, Virginia.
Dr. Irfan Shahid
Professor of Arabic and Islamic Literature at Georgetown
University where he teaches courses on Classical Arabic Poetry and Prose, and
Arabic Literature and Culture. He has written on Gibran and Rihani, and has a
special interest in the literary tradition of Arab-American writers.
He is giving the keynote address at the Second Arab-American History Conference.
Prof. Michael Suleiman
Professor at the University of Kansas,
author of several books about Arab Americans, Kansas.
Poet Henri Zoghaib
Director, The Center for Lebanese Heritage,
Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon.
___________________________
The Arab American Historical Foundation:
The Arab-American Historical Foundation (AAHF) was established in Los Angeles, 1978,
by Joseph R. Haiek, publisher of The News Circle/Arab American Affairs magazine and
the Arab American Almanac series, to promote preservation and dissemination of Arab-American history.
It is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3). For more details, contact:
The Arab American Historical Foundation:
POBox 291159, Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 466-9800, (818) 507-0333,
fax: (818) 246-1936
e-mail: newscircle@sbcglobal.net
www.arabamericanhistory.org
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
ADC expresses concerns on "Muslim Mapping" plan in LA
ADC Deeply Troubled by LAPD Plan to 'Map' LA-Area Muslims
Washington, DC | November 10, 2007 | www.adc.org | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is deeply troubled by the Los Angeles Police Department's "community mapping" plan. The intelligence-guided mapping plan, which is to be carried out in conjunction with the University of Southern California's National Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events, would collect information about Muslim communities in the Los Angeles area in an effort to identify who the Muslims are and where the Muslims reside.
During his October 30, testimony before the before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Los Angeles Commander Michael P. Downing discussed this plan. The nature and scope of the plan is unclear from this testimony and numerous questions remained unanswered. What is clear, however, is that the plan singles out individuals for investigation, surveillance, and data collection based solely on religion, which is a form of religious profiling. In addition to obvious constitutional concerns that such a practice would violate equal protection and burden the free exercise of religion, religious profiling will engender fear and lack of trust in the community which will, in turn, hinder law enforcement efforts.
Once the Muslims in the Los Angeles area are identified, then the LAPD would then, according to Downing’s written testimony, "take a deeper look at their history, demographics, language, culture, ethnic background, socio-economic status, and social interactions." In an interview with the Congressional Quarterly (Nov 1), Downing said he hopes to complete the community mapping plan by this Spring and, "if its successful, he believes it could be transmittable, at least in part, to other major U.S. cities."
ADC Communications Director Laila Al-Qatami said, "ADC supports efforts to keep our country safe and to prevent violence, extremism, and terrorism, but is deeply concerned with the emerging details of this plan. In terms of potential risk factors, Downing’s testimony cites the use of non-mainstream media as a possible indicator of extremist ideology and inclination, ADC raises serious objections to that idea. Additionally the implications of how much data will be collected, and with whom it will be shared, raises obvious privacy concerns, particularly in these times of warrantless wiretapping and illegal surveillance."
Washington, DC | November 10, 2007 | www.adc.org | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is deeply troubled by the Los Angeles Police Department's "community mapping" plan. The intelligence-guided mapping plan, which is to be carried out in conjunction with the University of Southern California's National Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events, would collect information about Muslim communities in the Los Angeles area in an effort to identify who the Muslims are and where the Muslims reside.
During his October 30, testimony before the before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Los Angeles Commander Michael P. Downing discussed this plan. The nature and scope of the plan is unclear from this testimony and numerous questions remained unanswered. What is clear, however, is that the plan singles out individuals for investigation, surveillance, and data collection based solely on religion, which is a form of religious profiling. In addition to obvious constitutional concerns that such a practice would violate equal protection and burden the free exercise of religion, religious profiling will engender fear and lack of trust in the community which will, in turn, hinder law enforcement efforts.
Once the Muslims in the Los Angeles area are identified, then the LAPD would then, according to Downing’s written testimony, "take a deeper look at their history, demographics, language, culture, ethnic background, socio-economic status, and social interactions." In an interview with the Congressional Quarterly (Nov 1), Downing said he hopes to complete the community mapping plan by this Spring and, "if its successful, he believes it could be transmittable, at least in part, to other major U.S. cities."
ADC Communications Director Laila Al-Qatami said, "ADC supports efforts to keep our country safe and to prevent violence, extremism, and terrorism, but is deeply concerned with the emerging details of this plan. In terms of potential risk factors, Downing’s testimony cites the use of non-mainstream media as a possible indicator of extremist ideology and inclination, ADC raises serious objections to that idea. Additionally the implications of how much data will be collected, and with whom it will be shared, raises obvious privacy concerns, particularly in these times of warrantless wiretapping and illegal surveillance."
ADC Announces National Civil and Human Rights Center in Michigan
ADC Announces First National Civil and Human Rights Center in Michigan
Officials, Community Members and Supporters Gather for Unveiling of ADC’s Future Landmark Civil Rights Center
Approximately 150 guests, including local, national and international officials, gathered on the ADC-owned property on Chase Road in Dearborn on September 12, 2007, to witness the unveiling of what will be the location of the first-ever American-Arab Center for Civil and Human Rights (ACCHR) in the United States- an ADC project.
The press conference, included remarks from ADC Michigan’s special guest Mr. Fahad Mohamad Kafoud, Deputy Chief of Mission of the State of Qatar, along with Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly, Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani, ADC National President and Former Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar and ADC Senior National Advisor and Regional Director Imad Hamad. Speakers praised ADC Michigan for it’s commitment to enhancing the lives of Arabs in the United States and across the world and commended them on this initiative that will forever change the political landscape of America.
Additional officials included Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garret, Dearborn Police Chief Michael Celeski, Director of the Governor’s Office Kimberly Trent, Dearborn Heights Councilman Tom Berry, City of Dearborn Councilman George Derani, representatives from the congressional offices of John Conyers, John Dingell and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, and representatives from the offices of US Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, along with numerous congressional liaisons and community leaders. In addition, a number of media outlets were also present to document this momentous occasion.
Mr. Kafoud was presented with a special acknowledgement from Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly and Congressman John Dingell, for Qatar’s efforts to enhance the lives and protect the civil liberties of Arab Americans in Michigan. ADC is expecting to break ground on the Center in the next couple months. For more information on this event and the ACCHR, please read the Detroit Free Press feature at: www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.
end
Officials, Community Members and Supporters Gather for Unveiling of ADC’s Future Landmark Civil Rights Center
Approximately 150 guests, including local, national and international officials, gathered on the ADC-owned property on Chase Road in Dearborn on September 12, 2007, to witness the unveiling of what will be the location of the first-ever American-Arab Center for Civil and Human Rights (ACCHR) in the United States- an ADC project.
The press conference, included remarks from ADC Michigan’s special guest Mr. Fahad Mohamad Kafoud, Deputy Chief of Mission of the State of Qatar, along with Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly, Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani, ADC National President and Former Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar and ADC Senior National Advisor and Regional Director Imad Hamad. Speakers praised ADC Michigan for it’s commitment to enhancing the lives of Arabs in the United States and across the world and commended them on this initiative that will forever change the political landscape of America.
Additional officials included Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garret, Dearborn Police Chief Michael Celeski, Director of the Governor’s Office Kimberly Trent, Dearborn Heights Councilman Tom Berry, City of Dearborn Councilman George Derani, representatives from the congressional offices of John Conyers, John Dingell and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, and representatives from the offices of US Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, along with numerous congressional liaisons and community leaders. In addition, a number of media outlets were also present to document this momentous occasion.
Mr. Kafoud was presented with a special acknowledgement from Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly and Congressman John Dingell, for Qatar’s efforts to enhance the lives and protect the civil liberties of Arab Americans in Michigan. ADC is expecting to break ground on the Center in the next couple months. For more information on this event and the ACCHR, please read the Detroit Free Press feature at: www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.
end
Sunday, November 11, 2007
3rd Annual National Arab American Book Awards submission deadline Feb. 1, 2008
Dear Publishers and Writers:
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is proud to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the
2007 Arab American National Museum
Book Award
Books submitted for consideration must be written or illustrated by an Arab American, or address the Arab-American experience. It must be an original work and published in English between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. Submissions must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2008. An award will be given to an author or illustrator in each of the following three categories:
Adult Non-Fiction in the areas of the Social Sciences and Humanities
Adult Fiction, including Arts and Literature
Children or Young Adult, Fiction or Non-Fiction
Submission forms are attached to this email and can also be found on the AANM website: http://www.arabamericanmuseum.org/resource/attach/93/AANMSubmissionForm2007.pdf. For additional information regarding the Book Award please contact Dima Kanakri of the AANM Library & Resource Center at 313-624-0223 or dkanakri@accesscommunity.org.
The Arab American National Museum Book Award was established in 2006 to encourage the publication and excellence of books that preserve and advance the understanding, knowledge, and resources of the Arab American community by celebrating the thoughts and lives of Arab Americans. The purpose of the Award is to inspire authors, educate readers and foster a respect and understanding of Arab American culture.
The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates, and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. We serve as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization.
Arab American National Museum 13624 Michigan Avenue Dearborn, MI 48126
www.arabamericanmuseum.org
end
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is proud to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the
2007 Arab American National Museum
Book Award
Books submitted for consideration must be written or illustrated by an Arab American, or address the Arab-American experience. It must be an original work and published in English between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. Submissions must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2008. An award will be given to an author or illustrator in each of the following three categories:
Adult Non-Fiction in the areas of the Social Sciences and Humanities
Adult Fiction, including Arts and Literature
Children or Young Adult, Fiction or Non-Fiction
Submission forms are attached to this email and can also be found on the AANM website: http://www.arabamericanmuseum.org/resource/attach/93/AANMSubmissionForm2007.pdf. For additional information regarding the Book Award please contact Dima Kanakri of the AANM Library & Resource Center at 313-624-0223 or dkanakri@accesscommunity.org.
The Arab American National Museum Book Award was established in 2006 to encourage the publication and excellence of books that preserve and advance the understanding, knowledge, and resources of the Arab American community by celebrating the thoughts and lives of Arab Americans. The purpose of the Award is to inspire authors, educate readers and foster a respect and understanding of Arab American culture.
The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates, and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. We serve as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization.
Arab American National Museum 13624 Michigan Avenue Dearborn, MI 48126
www.arabamericanmuseum.org
end
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe to Ray's
Join Ray Hanania on the
Follow Ray Hanania's 
