Rachel’s Radio: Worldwide webcast this Friday, June 24.
Friday, June 24, 2005.9 – 10 a.m. PDT
www.kboo.fm
Speakers: Cindy and Craig Corrie, Klaled and Samah Nasrallah, Donna Baranksi-WalkerMC: Lisa Hamid
Highlights from Portland’s “In Rachel’s Name” event will be broadcast worldwide on the internet on Friday, June 24, 9 – 10 a.m. PDT. Listeners all over the world are just three clicks away from hearing the how after the death of their daughter Rachel, Cindy and Craig Corrie went to Rafah, Gaza where they befriended Samah and Khaled Nasrallah and their three children.
Rachel was murdered trying to prevent the demolition of the Nasrallah home by an Israeli military Caterpillar bulldozer paid for by the U.S. government.
The Corries and Nasrallahs are touring U.S. cities under the auspices of The Rebuilding Alliance. The goal of the tour is to raise funds to rebuild the Nasrallah’s home and eventually rebuild the hundreds of homes that have been demolished - sometimes with people living within them - during Israel’s illegal, immoral and insane occupation of Palestine, an aggression now lasting 38 years.
On Thursday, June 16, a capacity crowd of 500 filled St. Francis of Assisi Church in Portland, Oregon, donating $4,600 to begin rebuilding one home. This heartfelt people-to-people act of compassion was one community’s response and a small step towards making restitution for the crimes against humanity that have been committed by the governments of the United States and Israel. Lest we forget: destroying homes, killing innocent civilians, traumatizing children, engaging in collective punishment against an entire people, and depriving people of food, water, medical care, employment, education and dignity is terrorism.
This powerfully moving, informative and inspirational event was sponsored by: Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights, Friends of Sabeel North America, Jews for Global Justice, and St. Francis of Assisi Church. A coalition of peace and social justice groups and spiritual organizations co-sponsored the event. These included: Bridgeport United Church of Christ, Education WithOut Borders, KBOO Community Radio, Living Earth Gatherings, Oregon PeaceWorks, Oregon Peace Institute, Palestinian Arab American Association, Pax Christi Portland, Portland Catholic Worker, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition and The Portland Alliance newspaper.
This program was produced and edited by Sid Brown and Judy Fiestal
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Deadline August 15 for Arab Comedy Fest Entries
New York Arab-American Comedy Festival is Seeking Submissions
The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival is seeking submissions from Arab-American artists for its 3rd annual Festival which will take place in New York City from November 13-16, 2005. Last year’s Festival was a great success thanks to the work of the talented Arab-American artists involved and the support of the entire Arab-American community. We plan on making this year’s Festival even bigger and more visible. It is our goal to produce a Festival this fall which will attract even more positive media coverage for the artists and the community as well as provide an excellent industry showcase for all the Arab-American artists who participate.
The Festival will be divided into three parts: Comedic theater, stand up comedy and comedic films. The details for the submissions are as follows:
· Comedic theater: We are seeking comedic theater pieces not to exceed 30 minutes in length. The works can be one acts or excerpts from a longer work. The pieces do not have to be Arab themed. Please included with your submission, contact information and short bio, script, with character breakdown, and a one paragraph blurb about the play. If the play has been staged already, you can submit a videotape of the play.
· Stand up comedy: Please submit a VHS or DVD of 8-10 minutes of your stand up comedy. The comedy does not have to be Arab themed.
· Comedic Films: We are seeking any length, from shorts to features, of comedic films that have been made by Arab-Americans. You can submit the film on VHS or DVD. The films do not have to be Arab themed. Please include contact information, short bio and a one paragraph blurb about the film.All submissions must be RECEIVED by August 15, 2005. Due to time constraints, any submissions received after the deadline will not be considered for this year's Festival. Submissions should be sent to the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival and addressed to the attention of the Festival's General manger Elias EL-Hage at 317 West 95th Street, Suite HG, New York, NY 10025. If you would like your submission returned, please include a self-addressed stamped return envelope.We will be informing artists about the Festival's selections by September 1, 2005. If you have any questions, please contact either Dean Obeidallah at Dean@arabcomedy.org, Maysoon Zayid at Maysoon@arabcomedy.org or Elias El-Hage at Elias@arabcomedy.org.
Please check our website www.arabcomedy.org for periodic updates and to read the media coverage the past Festivals received.
We look forward to receiving your submissions!
Dean Obeidallah Maysoon Zayid Elias El-Hage
The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival is seeking submissions from Arab-American artists for its 3rd annual Festival which will take place in New York City from November 13-16, 2005. Last year’s Festival was a great success thanks to the work of the talented Arab-American artists involved and the support of the entire Arab-American community. We plan on making this year’s Festival even bigger and more visible. It is our goal to produce a Festival this fall which will attract even more positive media coverage for the artists and the community as well as provide an excellent industry showcase for all the Arab-American artists who participate.
The Festival will be divided into three parts: Comedic theater, stand up comedy and comedic films. The details for the submissions are as follows:
· Comedic theater: We are seeking comedic theater pieces not to exceed 30 minutes in length. The works can be one acts or excerpts from a longer work. The pieces do not have to be Arab themed. Please included with your submission, contact information and short bio, script, with character breakdown, and a one paragraph blurb about the play. If the play has been staged already, you can submit a videotape of the play.
· Stand up comedy: Please submit a VHS or DVD of 8-10 minutes of your stand up comedy. The comedy does not have to be Arab themed.
· Comedic Films: We are seeking any length, from shorts to features, of comedic films that have been made by Arab-Americans. You can submit the film on VHS or DVD. The films do not have to be Arab themed. Please include contact information, short bio and a one paragraph blurb about the film.All submissions must be RECEIVED by August 15, 2005. Due to time constraints, any submissions received after the deadline will not be considered for this year's Festival. Submissions should be sent to the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival and addressed to the attention of the Festival's General manger Elias EL-Hage at 317 West 95th Street, Suite HG, New York, NY 10025. If you would like your submission returned, please include a self-addressed stamped return envelope.We will be informing artists about the Festival's selections by September 1, 2005. If you have any questions, please contact either Dean Obeidallah at Dean@arabcomedy.org, Maysoon Zayid at Maysoon@arabcomedy.org or Elias El-Hage at Elias@arabcomedy.org.
Please check our website www.arabcomedy.org for periodic updates and to read the media coverage the past Festivals received.
We look forward to receiving your submissions!
Dean Obeidallah Maysoon Zayid Elias El-Hage
Michigan Palestine Office organizes Forum on Diaspora
Subject: Michigan Palestinian American Community Town Hall Meeting re Our Connection to Palestine Present and Future
To: All concerned Palestinians in Metro Detroit & Ann Arbor area
From: Basima Farhat & Paul Salameh of Ramallah Club, George Khoury of Bir Zeit Society, Hasan Newash of the Palestine Office Michigan, and Dr. Karma Nabulsi & Randa Jamal of Civitas (originated at Oxford University)
Please attend our Palestinian Community Town Hall Meeting to explore Michigan's Palestinian Diaspora Community needs and concerns. This is part of a global effort conducted among Palestinian Diaspora communities across the globe. See the attachments above and summary below for more details.
Meeting Time & Date: 6:30 PM, Tuesday June 28th. (Finger food provided; program will conclude at 9:30 PM)
Place: St. Mary's Cultural Center, East Room
18100 Merriman Rd. ( between 6 & 7 Mile Rd.)
Livonia, MI 48152
Admission: Free
All adult Palestinians 18 and above, including those born to one Palestinian parent, are urged to participate. This is an important workshop to help shape our US role and our connection to Palestine, in the present and future. Hopefully, this will serve as a step forward towards creating our own Palestinian American representative institutions, aside from those in existence today that are based on Palestinian original town affiliation or religious beliefs.
Please help us succeed! Your attendance is very important. RSVP to the Palestine Office Michigan, 313 945-9660 by June 27th, in order to accommodate necessary logistics, i.e. food, chairs etc.
Background & Objectives
This is an invitation for the Michigan Palestinian Community to participate in workshops being conducted across the globe among Diaspora Palestinians. Originating in Nuffield College, Oxford University, in the UK, this research project aims at assessing "how Palestinian refugee communities living in exile in the Middle East, Europe, and further afield can build civic structures and mechanisms to enable better communication with their national representative and institutions, the humanitarian agencies that serve them, and other refugee communities, both inside and outside of Palestine. It is almost entirely a volunteer project, run by the communities themselves, and is facilitated by a very small team who are coordinating the activities in order to carry forward the voices of the refugees themselves to the relevant bodies, and bring the urgent needs of the Palestinian refugees to the attention of the international community. This project will restore the vital links between all tiers of Palestinian civil society, and reconnect them with their national representative the PLO and national institutions that have suffered fragmentation in the past decade.
This project gives the Palestinian refugee and exile communities the chance to specify the structures and mechanisms for communication with concerned parties and identify their own priorities. This initiative does not seek to limit or specify the structures, mechanisms, and priorities articulated by the refugees. It provides a practical service to those communities, through which members of those communities can define their own needs, in their own voices. The task of the project team is to bring those voices forward. The project is based on the belief that opinion polls and surveys are not the most authentic way to discover the real needs and choices of Palestinian refugees. Participatory involvement where people are allowed to speak for themselves is a more valuable and trustworthy methodology."
Finally, and repeating from above, this town hall meeting will serve as a step forward towards creating our own Palestinian American representative institutions, aside from those in existence today that are based on Palestinian original town affiliation or religious beliefs. Please help us succeed! Your attendance is very important. RSVP to the Palestine Office Michigan, 313 945-9660 by June 27th.
On behalf of the Ad Hoc Committee, I look forward to seeing you on the Eve of June 28th at St. Mary's Cultural Center East Room. 3r cul.
Hasan Newash
Palestine Office Michigan
313 945-9660
To: All concerned Palestinians in Metro Detroit & Ann Arbor area
From: Basima Farhat & Paul Salameh of Ramallah Club, George Khoury of Bir Zeit Society, Hasan Newash of the Palestine Office Michigan, and Dr. Karma Nabulsi & Randa Jamal of Civitas (originated at Oxford University)
Please attend our Palestinian Community Town Hall Meeting to explore Michigan's Palestinian Diaspora Community needs and concerns. This is part of a global effort conducted among Palestinian Diaspora communities across the globe. See the attachments above and summary below for more details.
Meeting Time & Date: 6:30 PM, Tuesday June 28th. (Finger food provided; program will conclude at 9:30 PM)
Place: St. Mary's Cultural Center, East Room
18100 Merriman Rd. ( between 6 & 7 Mile Rd.)
Livonia, MI 48152
Admission: Free
All adult Palestinians 18 and above, including those born to one Palestinian parent, are urged to participate. This is an important workshop to help shape our US role and our connection to Palestine, in the present and future. Hopefully, this will serve as a step forward towards creating our own Palestinian American representative institutions, aside from those in existence today that are based on Palestinian original town affiliation or religious beliefs.
Please help us succeed! Your attendance is very important. RSVP to the Palestine Office Michigan, 313 945-9660 by June 27th, in order to accommodate necessary logistics, i.e. food, chairs etc.
Background & Objectives
This is an invitation for the Michigan Palestinian Community to participate in workshops being conducted across the globe among Diaspora Palestinians. Originating in Nuffield College, Oxford University, in the UK, this research project aims at assessing "how Palestinian refugee communities living in exile in the Middle East, Europe, and further afield can build civic structures and mechanisms to enable better communication with their national representative and institutions, the humanitarian agencies that serve them, and other refugee communities, both inside and outside of Palestine. It is almost entirely a volunteer project, run by the communities themselves, and is facilitated by a very small team who are coordinating the activities in order to carry forward the voices of the refugees themselves to the relevant bodies, and bring the urgent needs of the Palestinian refugees to the attention of the international community. This project will restore the vital links between all tiers of Palestinian civil society, and reconnect them with their national representative the PLO and national institutions that have suffered fragmentation in the past decade.
This project gives the Palestinian refugee and exile communities the chance to specify the structures and mechanisms for communication with concerned parties and identify their own priorities. This initiative does not seek to limit or specify the structures, mechanisms, and priorities articulated by the refugees. It provides a practical service to those communities, through which members of those communities can define their own needs, in their own voices. The task of the project team is to bring those voices forward. The project is based on the belief that opinion polls and surveys are not the most authentic way to discover the real needs and choices of Palestinian refugees. Participatory involvement where people are allowed to speak for themselves is a more valuable and trustworthy methodology."
Finally, and repeating from above, this town hall meeting will serve as a step forward towards creating our own Palestinian American representative institutions, aside from those in existence today that are based on Palestinian original town affiliation or religious beliefs. Please help us succeed! Your attendance is very important. RSVP to the Palestine Office Michigan, 313 945-9660 by June 27th.
On behalf of the Ad Hoc Committee, I look forward to seeing you on the Eve of June 28th at St. Mary's Cultural Center East Room. 3r cul.
Hasan Newash
Palestine Office Michigan
313 945-9660
Friday, June 17, 2005
Group says abuse and torture at Guantanamo Bya is okay ...
***NOTE*** This release has been posted online at:
http://www.moveamericaforward.com
/index.php/MAF/MAFNews
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 17, 2005
CONTACT: Mark Washburn, Executive Director – Move America Forward
(916) 441-6197 or
Mark@MoveAmericaForward.org
“I LOVE GITMO” CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY MOVE AMERICA FORWARD
(SACRAMENTO) – The non-profit group that supports our troops and the war against terrorism, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org), has launched a campaign to rally public support for the Detention Center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The “I LOVE GITMO” campaign will take to the airwaves in the form of paid commercials urging Americans to support the men and women operating the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
The commercials will target those individuals who have put forth false charges about the operations at the facility so that their constituents can know about their “Blame America First” antics. One example is Illinois Senator, Dick Durbin who said GITMO and those running it had created an environment akin to the "Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime -- Pol Pot or others."
“GITMO is a key arsenal in the fight against terrorism, and Americans must stand behind the heroic men and women of the Armed Forces who serve proudly there,” said Howard Kaloogian, Co-Chair of Move America Forward.
The campaign to support GITMO was launched on Thursday with the release of the “I LOVE GITMO” bumper sticker. Thousands of these bumper stickers have been sold in the first 24 hours they were available online at www.MoveAmericaForward.org
“These terrorists detained are not common criminals; they are enemy combatants in our war against terrorism. They are not entitled to all of the rights that someone arrested in this country gets. Just like we held German and Japanese prisoners of war during World War II, we have to confine enemy combatants so they stop killing Americans serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Kaloogian added.
On the website Move America Forward notes that the food served to the terrorist detainees and terrorist suspects held at GITMO is better in many cases than the food being served to our troops in the Armed Services. Congressional decree prevents the military from serving MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat – vacuum packed sealed food bags served to U.S. troops) to detainees because it would be considered “abuse.”
Instead, in the past week the anti-American terrorists and terrorist suspects held at GITMO have been served:
*Orange Glazed Chicken
*Rice Pilaf
*Steamed Peas & Mushrooms
*Fruit Roupee
In addition, on Ramadan the terrorists held at GITMO are served lamb, dates and honey as part of their religious observance.
GITMO detainees also are provided prayer mats and prayer oils and are allowed to pray five times per day – something that even U.S. schoolchildren are forbidden from doing.
“In recent days we’ve seen certain liberal politicians have the audacity to undermine American troops by falsely accusing them of torture and misconduct, including bogus charges of desecrating the Koran” said Melanie Morgan, Co-Chair of Move America Forward.
“These shameless individuals, interested in selling magazines or rallying their leftist political followers, are willing to denigrate the important mission being conducted by our troops in Guantanamo Bay.
“By falsely provoking anti-American sentiment overseas, these domestic enemies who have fanned the flames of a ‘Gulag at Guantanamo’ are jeopardizing the lives and well being of our servicemen and women stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Morgan.
# # #
http://www.moveamericaforward.com
/index.php/MAF/MAFNews
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 17, 2005
CONTACT: Mark Washburn, Executive Director – Move America Forward
(916) 441-6197 or
Mark@MoveAmericaForward.org
“I LOVE GITMO” CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY MOVE AMERICA FORWARD
(SACRAMENTO) – The non-profit group that supports our troops and the war against terrorism, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org), has launched a campaign to rally public support for the Detention Center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The “I LOVE GITMO” campaign will take to the airwaves in the form of paid commercials urging Americans to support the men and women operating the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
The commercials will target those individuals who have put forth false charges about the operations at the facility so that their constituents can know about their “Blame America First” antics. One example is Illinois Senator, Dick Durbin who said GITMO and those running it had created an environment akin to the "Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime -- Pol Pot or others."
“GITMO is a key arsenal in the fight against terrorism, and Americans must stand behind the heroic men and women of the Armed Forces who serve proudly there,” said Howard Kaloogian, Co-Chair of Move America Forward.
The campaign to support GITMO was launched on Thursday with the release of the “I LOVE GITMO” bumper sticker. Thousands of these bumper stickers have been sold in the first 24 hours they were available online at www.MoveAmericaForward.org
“These terrorists detained are not common criminals; they are enemy combatants in our war against terrorism. They are not entitled to all of the rights that someone arrested in this country gets. Just like we held German and Japanese prisoners of war during World War II, we have to confine enemy combatants so they stop killing Americans serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Kaloogian added.
On the website Move America Forward notes that the food served to the terrorist detainees and terrorist suspects held at GITMO is better in many cases than the food being served to our troops in the Armed Services. Congressional decree prevents the military from serving MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat – vacuum packed sealed food bags served to U.S. troops) to detainees because it would be considered “abuse.”
Instead, in the past week the anti-American terrorists and terrorist suspects held at GITMO have been served:
*Orange Glazed Chicken
*Rice Pilaf
*Steamed Peas & Mushrooms
*Fruit Roupee
In addition, on Ramadan the terrorists held at GITMO are served lamb, dates and honey as part of their religious observance.
GITMO detainees also are provided prayer mats and prayer oils and are allowed to pray five times per day – something that even U.S. schoolchildren are forbidden from doing.
“In recent days we’ve seen certain liberal politicians have the audacity to undermine American troops by falsely accusing them of torture and misconduct, including bogus charges of desecrating the Koran” said Melanie Morgan, Co-Chair of Move America Forward.
“These shameless individuals, interested in selling magazines or rallying their leftist political followers, are willing to denigrate the important mission being conducted by our troops in Guantanamo Bay.
“By falsely provoking anti-American sentiment overseas, these domestic enemies who have fanned the flames of a ‘Gulag at Guantanamo’ are jeopardizing the lives and well being of our servicemen and women stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Morgan.
# # #
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Chicagoan announces candidacy for presidency of Egypt, Jun 15, 2005
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago man declares candidacy for President of Egypt
Chicago, Illinois, USA (6/15/05) Writer and community activist Aladdin Elaasar has announced today his official nomination for president of Egypt. Elaasar hopes his candidacy brings democracy to the Arab country. For the last 24 years Egypt has been ruled by President Hosni Mubarak, 78, who has recently opened the door for other candidates to run for the presidency. Although Egypt is a constitutional republic, and its constitution states term limits, for more than 50 years Egypt has had 3 presidents from the military institution who held the presidency uncontestedly.
Elaasar has lived in the Chicago land area since 1992. He fled the Middle East after the Gulf War with his wife and his eldest son. He has three other children who were born in Chicago. Mr. Elaasar is a prolific writer. He wrote for several publications in the US and the Middle East in both English and Arabic. He has also worked as a translator, counselor, bilingual teacher, and project manager in the Silicon Valley. He is author of a recently released book titled ?Silent Victims? that discusses the impact of 9/11 on communities in the USA.
Elaasar was born, raised and educated in Cairo, Egypt in 1962. He graduated from Ain Shams University in Cairo, in 1983, with a B. A. in English. He speaks English and Arabic fluently, in addition to French and Spanish. ?This is the first time in Egypt?s modern history that a native Egyptian runs for president of Egypt. Egyptians never had the chance before to run for president, nor elect their chosen leaders freely. It?s about time for Egyptians after 50 years of oppressive military rule to have a free elections and vote for the candidate they choose. Mr. Elaasar said.
Egypt, a country of 75 million people has the highest rate of unemployment. Corruption within the government is rampant and the country has been ruled for the last 25 years by the emergency law. Thousands of government opponents are in jail without a trial. Elaasar hopes to bring peace, freedom, democracy and the rule of the law to his native country of Egypt. ?Egypt, more than ever needs democracy and respect for human dignity and the rights of women and minorities. We need to do a lot of reform; legal, economic and social change. And peace should be our unshakeable commitment", Elaasar said.
END-
For more info, please contact:
Committee for Freedom and Democracy in Egypt
1015 Higgins Quarters, Suite 115
Hoffman Estates, IL 60194
Email: omaraladin@aol.com
Or Call 847 668 4206, or 847 310-0342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago man declares candidacy for President of Egypt
Chicago, Illinois, USA (6/15/05) Writer and community activist Aladdin Elaasar has announced today his official nomination for president of Egypt. Elaasar hopes his candidacy brings democracy to the Arab country. For the last 24 years Egypt has been ruled by President Hosni Mubarak, 78, who has recently opened the door for other candidates to run for the presidency. Although Egypt is a constitutional republic, and its constitution states term limits, for more than 50 years Egypt has had 3 presidents from the military institution who held the presidency uncontestedly.
Elaasar has lived in the Chicago land area since 1992. He fled the Middle East after the Gulf War with his wife and his eldest son. He has three other children who were born in Chicago. Mr. Elaasar is a prolific writer. He wrote for several publications in the US and the Middle East in both English and Arabic. He has also worked as a translator, counselor, bilingual teacher, and project manager in the Silicon Valley. He is author of a recently released book titled ?Silent Victims? that discusses the impact of 9/11 on communities in the USA.
Elaasar was born, raised and educated in Cairo, Egypt in 1962. He graduated from Ain Shams University in Cairo, in 1983, with a B. A. in English. He speaks English and Arabic fluently, in addition to French and Spanish. ?This is the first time in Egypt?s modern history that a native Egyptian runs for president of Egypt. Egyptians never had the chance before to run for president, nor elect their chosen leaders freely. It?s about time for Egyptians after 50 years of oppressive military rule to have a free elections and vote for the candidate they choose. Mr. Elaasar said.
Egypt, a country of 75 million people has the highest rate of unemployment. Corruption within the government is rampant and the country has been ruled for the last 25 years by the emergency law. Thousands of government opponents are in jail without a trial. Elaasar hopes to bring peace, freedom, democracy and the rule of the law to his native country of Egypt. ?Egypt, more than ever needs democracy and respect for human dignity and the rights of women and minorities. We need to do a lot of reform; legal, economic and social change. And peace should be our unshakeable commitment", Elaasar said.
END-
For more info, please contact:
Committee for Freedom and Democracy in Egypt
1015 Higgins Quarters, Suite 115
Hoffman Estates, IL 60194
Email: omaraladin@aol.com
Or Call 847 668 4206, or 847 310-0342
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Farouk Systems sponsors 2005 Miss Universe Pageant
If you would like additional photos please feel free to contact me.
For Immediate Release Contact: Janice R. McCafferty
2005 (773) 736-9034
JaniceJRM@aol.com
Farouk Systems Sponsors
The 2005 Miss Universe Pageant
Houston, TX – Farouk Systems, Inc. is the proud sponsor of the 2005 Miss Universe Pageant. As the official hair care sponsor, Farouk Systems and their international team of hairstylists traveled to the exotic shores of Bangkok, Thailand. This year’s Miss Universe Pageant featured 81 beauties from Albania to Zambia, riding elephants, touring temples and frolicking on exotic beaches during the live broadcast.
As the official hair care sponsor, Farouk Systems, Inc. supplied products, tools and stylists for all the delegates, celebrity judges and on-air hosts from Access Hollywood, Nancy O’Dell and Billy Bush. Our international teams of hairstylists were on hand 3 weeks prior to the live broadcast. They assumed the responsibility for all the delegates’ hair needs for each pre-taped segment.
The newly crowned Miss Universe, Natalie Glebova (Miss Canada) will receive a one year supply of products and tools from Farouk Systems as part of her lavish prize package. President, Shauky Gulamani of Farouk Systems, Inc. created her award wining hairstyle during the pageant and events leading up to the competition.
Please note that many other hair stylists and hair care manufacturers might seek the claim that their products were used prior to the Miss Universe Pageant. However, each delegate left for Thailand one month prior to the actual live broadcast. Farouk Systems and their team of hairdressers performed all the necessary touch-ups, styling and/or cutting for the actual live broadcast using Farouk Systems products!
Photo Caption:
(left to right)
Shauky Gulamani, President of Farouk Systems with Miss Universe Natalie Glebova
For Immediate Release Contact: Janice R. McCafferty
2005 (773) 736-9034
JaniceJRM@aol.com
Farouk Systems Sponsors
The 2005 Miss Universe Pageant
Houston, TX – Farouk Systems, Inc. is the proud sponsor of the 2005 Miss Universe Pageant. As the official hair care sponsor, Farouk Systems and their international team of hairstylists traveled to the exotic shores of Bangkok, Thailand. This year’s Miss Universe Pageant featured 81 beauties from Albania to Zambia, riding elephants, touring temples and frolicking on exotic beaches during the live broadcast.
As the official hair care sponsor, Farouk Systems, Inc. supplied products, tools and stylists for all the delegates, celebrity judges and on-air hosts from Access Hollywood, Nancy O’Dell and Billy Bush. Our international teams of hairstylists were on hand 3 weeks prior to the live broadcast. They assumed the responsibility for all the delegates’ hair needs for each pre-taped segment.
The newly crowned Miss Universe, Natalie Glebova (Miss Canada) will receive a one year supply of products and tools from Farouk Systems as part of her lavish prize package. President, Shauky Gulamani of Farouk Systems, Inc. created her award wining hairstyle during the pageant and events leading up to the competition.
Please note that many other hair stylists and hair care manufacturers might seek the claim that their products were used prior to the Miss Universe Pageant. However, each delegate left for Thailand one month prior to the actual live broadcast. Farouk Systems and their team of hairdressers performed all the necessary touch-ups, styling and/or cutting for the actual live broadcast using Farouk Systems products!
Photo Caption:
(left to right)
Shauky Gulamani, President of Farouk Systems with Miss Universe Natalie Glebova
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Caterpillar Protest in New York City June 14
PROTEST CAT'S SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL'S SUSTAINED DESTRUCTION OF PALESTINIANHOMES AND RIGHTS AND CAT'S CORPORATE SOCIAL IRRESPONSIBILITY
This week, the Israeli government is preparing to demolish 88 morePalestinian homes in East Jerusalem using Caterpillar bulldozers. Simultaneously, in Manhattan CAT executives, in an arrogant display ofcorporate duplicity, will be leading a Tuesday June 14 workshop onSustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility at aconference for business leaders from around the world at the WaldorfAstoria Hotel.
http://www.conferenceboard.org/
pdf_free/agendas/985005.pdf
pg. 11,General Session B)
Given Caterpillar's role in supporting Israel's violation ofPalestinian rights, CAT executives are the last people who should betalking about sustainable development and corporate socialresponsibility.
According to the Israeli Committee Against HouseDemolitions (www.icahd.org), "Since 1967 Israel has demolished almost12,000 Palestinian homes, leaving some 70,000 without shelter andtraumatized." The Caterpillar D9 and D10 bulldozers sold to Israel aredesigned specifically to destroy Palestinian land, roads, watersupplies and sewer systems and to uproot hundreds of thousands of fruitand olive trees, the main livelihood for many Palestinians.
PROTEST TIME: Tuesday June 14 from 8:15 - 9:15 AM
PROTEST LOCATION: We will gather on the steps of St. Bartholomew's Church on Park Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. Promptly at 8:15AM we will walk one block to the site of the protest, the front of theWaldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets.
PROTEST ORGANIZERS: This peaceful protest was oganized by an ad hoc New York City group in support of the national Stop CAT Campaign. Todate the protest has been endorsed by the International SolidarityMovement - NYC, NYU Students for Justice in Palestine and Queer Resistance for Palestine. Please ask your group to endorse this protest.
PROTEST BACKGROUND: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch andothers denounce the Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes andproperty as a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The Centerfor Constitutional Rights has brought a lawsuit against Caterpillar forproviding Israel with bulldozers, knowing they will be used to commitwar crimes and human rights violations. Nonetheless, at CAT's annual shareholder meeting on April 13, 2005Caterpillar executives led the defeat of a shareholder resolutioncalling for Caterpillar to investigate whether their sale of bulldozersto Israel violates the CAT "good global citizen" code of conduct.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE STOP CAT CAMPAIGN:
www.catdestroyshomes.org,
www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org,
www.endtheoccupation.org
FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE JUNE 14 PROTEST: ism_nyc@hotmail.com
This week, the Israeli government is preparing to demolish 88 morePalestinian homes in East Jerusalem using Caterpillar bulldozers. Simultaneously, in Manhattan CAT executives, in an arrogant display ofcorporate duplicity, will be leading a Tuesday June 14 workshop onSustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility at aconference for business leaders from around the world at the WaldorfAstoria Hotel.
http://www.conferenceboard.org/
pdf_free/agendas/985005.pdf
pg. 11,General Session B)
Given Caterpillar's role in supporting Israel's violation ofPalestinian rights, CAT executives are the last people who should betalking about sustainable development and corporate socialresponsibility.
According to the Israeli Committee Against HouseDemolitions (www.icahd.org), "Since 1967 Israel has demolished almost12,000 Palestinian homes, leaving some 70,000 without shelter andtraumatized." The Caterpillar D9 and D10 bulldozers sold to Israel aredesigned specifically to destroy Palestinian land, roads, watersupplies and sewer systems and to uproot hundreds of thousands of fruitand olive trees, the main livelihood for many Palestinians.
PROTEST TIME: Tuesday June 14 from 8:15 - 9:15 AM
PROTEST LOCATION: We will gather on the steps of St. Bartholomew's Church on Park Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. Promptly at 8:15AM we will walk one block to the site of the protest, the front of theWaldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets.
PROTEST ORGANIZERS: This peaceful protest was oganized by an ad hoc New York City group in support of the national Stop CAT Campaign. Todate the protest has been endorsed by the International SolidarityMovement - NYC, NYU Students for Justice in Palestine and Queer Resistance for Palestine. Please ask your group to endorse this protest.
PROTEST BACKGROUND: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch andothers denounce the Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes andproperty as a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The Centerfor Constitutional Rights has brought a lawsuit against Caterpillar forproviding Israel with bulldozers, knowing they will be used to commitwar crimes and human rights violations. Nonetheless, at CAT's annual shareholder meeting on April 13, 2005Caterpillar executives led the defeat of a shareholder resolutioncalling for Caterpillar to investigate whether their sale of bulldozersto Israel violates the CAT "good global citizen" code of conduct.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE STOP CAT CAMPAIGN:
www.catdestroyshomes.org,
www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org,
www.endtheoccupation.org
FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE JUNE 14 PROTEST: ism_nyc@hotmail.com
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Pahlavi joins hunger strike against Iranian brutality
Reza Pahlavi of Iran Announces Hunger Strike in Support of Iranian Political Prisoners
FAIRFAX, Va., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Reza Pahlavi of Iran, in response to a direct invitation by political prisoners in Iran, pledged his solidarity and announced his plans to go on a three day hunger strike starting Friday, June 10.
"Solidarity with political prisoners of Iran and support for the legitimate quest for freedom, human rights and economic opportunity in Iran transcends all political boundaries and ideologies," said Reza Pahlavi, opposition leader to the clerical regime of Iran. Yesterday, in a communique, signed by numerous political prisoners, in Iran, the June 17 presidential elections were rejected as "sham and undemocratic."
Calling for a boycott of the elections, the communique also cited the regime's abhorrent violations of human rights in Iran and announced the collective plan of the prisoners to go on a hunger strike as an act of nonviolent defiance of the regime. Highlighting the demands of the communique, Reza Pahlavi said, "Iranians of all walks of life demand: freedom of speech; the unequivocal observance of human rights, by the regime; the immediate release of all political prisoners.
Just last week, during a press conference in Paris, the 44 year old leader called for a national boycott of the scheduled June 17th presidential election, calling it nothing short of political theatre by the regime.
Reza Pahlavi, who has been leading a campaign of political defiance against the Theocracy of Iran, is the former Crown Prince of Iran. He is an accomplished jet fighter pilot and graduate of US Air Force training program at the former Reese Air Force Base. Author of Winds of Change, The Future of Democracy in Iran, he is a Political Science graduate of the University of Southern California.SOURCE Secretariet of Reza Pahlavi
-30-
06/08/2005 /
CONTACT: Mr. Kamran Beigi of Secretariet of Reza Pahlavi,
+1-202-498-4375/
/First Call Analyst: /
/FCMN Contact: /
/Web site: http://www.rezapahlavi.org/
FAIRFAX, Va., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Reza Pahlavi of Iran, in response to a direct invitation by political prisoners in Iran, pledged his solidarity and announced his plans to go on a three day hunger strike starting Friday, June 10.
"Solidarity with political prisoners of Iran and support for the legitimate quest for freedom, human rights and economic opportunity in Iran transcends all political boundaries and ideologies," said Reza Pahlavi, opposition leader to the clerical regime of Iran. Yesterday, in a communique, signed by numerous political prisoners, in Iran, the June 17 presidential elections were rejected as "sham and undemocratic."
Calling for a boycott of the elections, the communique also cited the regime's abhorrent violations of human rights in Iran and announced the collective plan of the prisoners to go on a hunger strike as an act of nonviolent defiance of the regime. Highlighting the demands of the communique, Reza Pahlavi said, "Iranians of all walks of life demand: freedom of speech; the unequivocal observance of human rights, by the regime; the immediate release of all political prisoners.
Just last week, during a press conference in Paris, the 44 year old leader called for a national boycott of the scheduled June 17th presidential election, calling it nothing short of political theatre by the regime.
Reza Pahlavi, who has been leading a campaign of political defiance against the Theocracy of Iran, is the former Crown Prince of Iran. He is an accomplished jet fighter pilot and graduate of US Air Force training program at the former Reese Air Force Base. Author of Winds of Change, The Future of Democracy in Iran, he is a Political Science graduate of the University of Southern California.SOURCE Secretariet of Reza Pahlavi
-30-
06/08/2005 /
CONTACT: Mr. Kamran Beigi of Secretariet of Reza Pahlavi,
+1-202-498-4375/
/First Call Analyst: /
/FCMN Contact: /
/Web site: http://www.rezapahlavi.org/
ADC joins anti-Racism conferencein Cordoba, Spain
ADC Press Release:
ADC Joins LCCR at OSCE Conference in Cordoba, Spain
Washington DC, June 8—The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is pleased to be participating in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) conference on Anti-Semitism and on Other Forms of Intolerance in Cordoba, Spain, taking place June 8-9, 2005.
The OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization whose 55 participating states span the geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostok.
ADC is the only organization representing an Arab community, of the 55 countries involved, at the OSCE. ADC Director of Legal Policy Kareem Shora, JD, is attending on behalf of ADC as part of a larger multicultural and multiethnic non-governmental delegation sponsored by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR).
ADC is an active organizational member of LCCR and over 50 million Americans belong to organizations that comprise LCCR.The OSCE conference aims to build upon the general and specific discussion within the OSCE on racism, xenophobia, and discrimination of any kind, focusing specifically on Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. For more information on the conference or the OSCE please see: http://www.osce.org/
The first day of the Cordoba conference focuses on anti-Semitism, while on the second, delegates will examine the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia, as well as problems faced by Christians and other religious communities. Shora will be presenting remarks at a panel on "Islamphobia."
-30-
============================================
Celebrate ADC's 25 Years of Dedicated Service to Civil and Human Rights by:CONTRIBUTING TO AND/OR JOINING ADChttps://www.adc.org/membership/For more information, contact Laila Al-Qatami at:American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)4201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20008Tel: 202-244-2990 Fax 202-244-3196 E-mail: adc@adc.orgwww.adc.org
ADC Joins LCCR at OSCE Conference in Cordoba, Spain
Washington DC, June 8—The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is pleased to be participating in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) conference on Anti-Semitism and on Other Forms of Intolerance in Cordoba, Spain, taking place June 8-9, 2005.
The OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization whose 55 participating states span the geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostok.
ADC is the only organization representing an Arab community, of the 55 countries involved, at the OSCE. ADC Director of Legal Policy Kareem Shora, JD, is attending on behalf of ADC as part of a larger multicultural and multiethnic non-governmental delegation sponsored by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR).
ADC is an active organizational member of LCCR and over 50 million Americans belong to organizations that comprise LCCR.The OSCE conference aims to build upon the general and specific discussion within the OSCE on racism, xenophobia, and discrimination of any kind, focusing specifically on Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. For more information on the conference or the OSCE please see: http://www.osce.org/
The first day of the Cordoba conference focuses on anti-Semitism, while on the second, delegates will examine the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia, as well as problems faced by Christians and other religious communities. Shora will be presenting remarks at a panel on "Islamphobia."
-30-
============================================
Celebrate ADC's 25 Years of Dedicated Service to Civil and Human Rights by:CONTRIBUTING TO AND/OR JOINING ADChttps://www.adc.org/membership/For more information, contact Laila Al-Qatami at:American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)4201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20008Tel: 202-244-2990 Fax 202-244-3196 E-mail: adc@adc.orgwww.adc.org
Friday, June 03, 2005
USS Liberty Veteran's Assn Announces War Crimes Charges filed against Israel
USS Liberty Veteran’s Association Announces War Crime Charges Filed Against Israel
(Washington, DC) - Friday, June 10 at 1:00 pm, Hotel Washington, 515 15th.St NW, Washington Room 11th floor (hit R for roof in elevator),
Moe Shafer, board member of the USS Liberty Veterans Association and Rear Admiral Merlin Staring, USN, Ret., Former Judge Advocate General of the Navy who was involved with the initial Court of Inquiry investigating the attack in 1967 will present details of the “Report of War Crimes” brief filed on behalf of the USS Liberty Veteran’s Association concerning the 1967 Israeli attack on the USS Liberty.
The “Report” was filed with by James R. Gotcher, General Legal Counsel, USS - LVA, with the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon on June 8, the 38th anniversary of the attack on the USS Liberty.
For a complete copy of the brief go to to
http://www.usslibertyinquiry.com/Report/Report.pdf
for a PDF version of the Report, or
http://www.usslibertyinquiry.com/Report/Report.htm
for an HTML version of the Report.
By establishing prima facie evidence that Israel committed war crimes the Secretary of Defense under existing Dept. Of Defense directives is obligated to initiate an inquiry into the commission of war crimes, an investigation that should have been carried out 38 years ago. Gotcher was an Air Force intelligence officer in Vietnam in 1967 and is one of three intelligence officers who were in different parts of the world at the time. Independent of each other they signed sworn affidavits that they saw intelligence messages saying the USS Liberty was under attack by Israeli aircraft in the Mediterranean. Moe was a 3rd class communications technician on the USS Liberty and survivor of a torpedo attack that killed 25 of his ship mates in the part of the ship where he was stationed.
Captain Ward Boston, a JAG (Naval Legal) Officer involved with the initial inquiry and retired FBI agent examined the original copy of the Court of Inquiry record released under the Freedom of Information Act and declared it a fraud. “It is not the record I certified and submitted in 1967,” says Captain Boston. Lloyd Painter, Officer of the Deck on the USS Liberty and retired secret service agent of 24 years testified that his statement mentioned in the report, “that the Israeli torpedo boat crews machine gunned the USS Liberty inflatable life boats” was removed from the final report that was submitted in 1967.
Immediately following the press conference there will be a panel discussion at the Washington Moderator Gary Powers, Jr.
Panelists:
* Joseph Lentini - Will present a brief history of the ship and the attack; recent events re. political and military issues and what is wrong with the Israeli story as it has evolved over the years.He is a career Public Servant, presently a GS-14 level staff member of the Environmental Protection Agency. Recently honored by the Navy and the National Security Agency (NSA) for training efforts related to establishment of a Cryptologic Military History Program. He was a crew member of the USS Liberty and wounded during the attack.
* Ken Halliwell - Will analyze the gun camera photos and illustrate why they are fraudulent. Semi-retired telecommunications and information systems engineer. He worked for ATT & Lucent Technologies for 15 years. Former Communications Technician with Naval Security Group 1968 - 1974.
* Ernie Gallo - Will cover the following topics: Ward Boston's affidavit which identifies the beginning of a cover up Recently declassified cable from McCain to SECNAV The Jan 04 State Dept Discussion Panel Current FOIA researchCompleted a 30 year career with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Following his CIA career worked GTE, TriCorps, and British Aerospace Enterprises. He is a member of: the Elks; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Naval Cryptographic Veterans Association; and the Cold War Veterans. Served on the USS Liberty during the attack.The USS Liberty Veterans Association are hosting their 38th reunion in DC. There will be a memorial service on June 8th at Arlington National Cemetery where 11 crew members are buried; a meeting of the crew on June 10th ; Memorial Plaque Dedication at the US Navy Memorial on June 11th followed by a banquet on the evening of the 11th.
For More Information Call
For Immediate Release
Gary Brummett
President, USS Liberty Veterans Association
318-464-0496 cell
318-858-2258 H
Garywbrummett@aol.com
Direct line to Washington Room, June 10
202-638-5900 ext 3142
www.ussliberty.org
- 30 -
GW Associates702 S. BeechSyracuse, NY 13210315-476-3396pwirth@accucom.nethttp://come.to/public.interest.media
(Washington, DC) - Friday, June 10 at 1:00 pm, Hotel Washington, 515 15th.St NW, Washington Room 11th floor (hit R for roof in elevator),
Moe Shafer, board member of the USS Liberty Veterans Association and Rear Admiral Merlin Staring, USN, Ret., Former Judge Advocate General of the Navy who was involved with the initial Court of Inquiry investigating the attack in 1967 will present details of the “Report of War Crimes” brief filed on behalf of the USS Liberty Veteran’s Association concerning the 1967 Israeli attack on the USS Liberty.
The “Report” was filed with by James R. Gotcher, General Legal Counsel, USS - LVA, with the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon on June 8, the 38th anniversary of the attack on the USS Liberty.
For a complete copy of the brief go to to
http://www.usslibertyinquiry.com/Report/Report.pdf
for a PDF version of the Report, or
http://www.usslibertyinquiry.com/Report/Report.htm
for an HTML version of the Report.
By establishing prima facie evidence that Israel committed war crimes the Secretary of Defense under existing Dept. Of Defense directives is obligated to initiate an inquiry into the commission of war crimes, an investigation that should have been carried out 38 years ago. Gotcher was an Air Force intelligence officer in Vietnam in 1967 and is one of three intelligence officers who were in different parts of the world at the time. Independent of each other they signed sworn affidavits that they saw intelligence messages saying the USS Liberty was under attack by Israeli aircraft in the Mediterranean. Moe was a 3rd class communications technician on the USS Liberty and survivor of a torpedo attack that killed 25 of his ship mates in the part of the ship where he was stationed.
Captain Ward Boston, a JAG (Naval Legal) Officer involved with the initial inquiry and retired FBI agent examined the original copy of the Court of Inquiry record released under the Freedom of Information Act and declared it a fraud. “It is not the record I certified and submitted in 1967,” says Captain Boston. Lloyd Painter, Officer of the Deck on the USS Liberty and retired secret service agent of 24 years testified that his statement mentioned in the report, “that the Israeli torpedo boat crews machine gunned the USS Liberty inflatable life boats” was removed from the final report that was submitted in 1967.
Immediately following the press conference there will be a panel discussion at the Washington Moderator Gary Powers, Jr.
Panelists:
* Joseph Lentini - Will present a brief history of the ship and the attack; recent events re. political and military issues and what is wrong with the Israeli story as it has evolved over the years.He is a career Public Servant, presently a GS-14 level staff member of the Environmental Protection Agency. Recently honored by the Navy and the National Security Agency (NSA) for training efforts related to establishment of a Cryptologic Military History Program. He was a crew member of the USS Liberty and wounded during the attack.
* Ken Halliwell - Will analyze the gun camera photos and illustrate why they are fraudulent. Semi-retired telecommunications and information systems engineer. He worked for ATT & Lucent Technologies for 15 years. Former Communications Technician with Naval Security Group 1968 - 1974.
* Ernie Gallo - Will cover the following topics: Ward Boston's affidavit which identifies the beginning of a cover up Recently declassified cable from McCain to SECNAV The Jan 04 State Dept Discussion Panel Current FOIA researchCompleted a 30 year career with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Following his CIA career worked GTE, TriCorps, and British Aerospace Enterprises. He is a member of: the Elks; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Naval Cryptographic Veterans Association; and the Cold War Veterans. Served on the USS Liberty during the attack.The USS Liberty Veterans Association are hosting their 38th reunion in DC. There will be a memorial service on June 8th at Arlington National Cemetery where 11 crew members are buried; a meeting of the crew on June 10th ; Memorial Plaque Dedication at the US Navy Memorial on June 11th followed by a banquet on the evening of the 11th.
For More Information Call
For Immediate Release
Gary Brummett
President, USS Liberty Veterans Association
318-464-0496 cell
318-858-2258 H
Garywbrummett@aol.com
Direct line to Washington Room, June 10
202-638-5900 ext 3142
www.ussliberty.org
- 30 -
GW Associates702 S. BeechSyracuse, NY 13210315-476-3396pwirth@accucom.nethttp://come.to/public.interest.media
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Nawash named to Tolerance delegation by Rice
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kamal Nawash
June 2, 2005
Phone: 202-776-7190
E-mail: president@freemuslims.org
FREE MUSLIM TO REPRESENT U.S. AT ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY & COOPERATION IN EUROPE
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/2/05) - The Free Muslims Coalition (FMC), a leading American Muslim organization is proud to announce that Kamal Nawash, President of FMC was named by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as part of a U.S. Delegation to a Conference on combating intolerance against religious groups, including Muslims, Jews and minority Christians among others.
The conference is sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, June 8-9, 2005 in Cordoba, Spain.
George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, was chosen to lead the delegation and represent the United States in recognition of his leadership role as governor of ethnically-diverse New York.
His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, will open this year's event, which will focus on practical steps to combat intolerance, building upon last year's Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Conference in Berlin and Conference on Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination in Brussels.
The Organization for Security and Cooperationin Europe comprises 55 nations, including the United States, Canada and the countries of Europe and Eurasia.
In addition to Governor Pataki, the United States delegation will include:
1 - Mr. Kamal Nawash, President of the Free Muslim Coalition against Terrorism;
2 - Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver and Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom;
3 - Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes, the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe;
4 - Ambassador Edward O'Donnell, the U.S. Special Envoy on Holocaust Issues;
5 - Mr. Sander Gerber, Member of the National Board of Directors of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee;
6 - Honorable Jennette Bradley, Ohio Treasurer of State;
7 - Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean and Founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center;
8-Rabbi David Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs at Agudath Israel of America.
For more information, visit our website at
www.freemuslims.org
END
Contact: Kamal Nawash
June 2, 2005
Phone: 202-776-7190
E-mail: president@freemuslims.org
FREE MUSLIM TO REPRESENT U.S. AT ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY & COOPERATION IN EUROPE
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/2/05) - The Free Muslims Coalition (FMC), a leading American Muslim organization is proud to announce that Kamal Nawash, President of FMC was named by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as part of a U.S. Delegation to a Conference on combating intolerance against religious groups, including Muslims, Jews and minority Christians among others.
The conference is sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, June 8-9, 2005 in Cordoba, Spain.
George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, was chosen to lead the delegation and represent the United States in recognition of his leadership role as governor of ethnically-diverse New York.
His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, will open this year's event, which will focus on practical steps to combat intolerance, building upon last year's Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Conference in Berlin and Conference on Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination in Brussels.
The Organization for Security and Cooperationin Europe comprises 55 nations, including the United States, Canada and the countries of Europe and Eurasia.
In addition to Governor Pataki, the United States delegation will include:
1 - Mr. Kamal Nawash, President of the Free Muslim Coalition against Terrorism;
2 - Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver and Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom;
3 - Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes, the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe;
4 - Ambassador Edward O'Donnell, the U.S. Special Envoy on Holocaust Issues;
5 - Mr. Sander Gerber, Member of the National Board of Directors of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee;
6 - Honorable Jennette Bradley, Ohio Treasurer of State;
7 - Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean and Founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center;
8-Rabbi David Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs at Agudath Israel of America.
For more information, visit our website at
www.freemuslims.org
END
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
New study on Ethnic Media to be released
CONTACT:Brahmani Houston
mailto:Houstonbhouston@pacificnews.org
415-503-4170
cell 415-515-1729
***Media Advisory***
FIRST MULTILINGUAL SURVEY OF ETHNIC
AMERICANS ON MEDIA USE TO BE RELEASED JUNE 7
WHAT: The results of the first national multilingual survey of ethnic Americans on their media habits will be released on June 7 in a national tele-press conference and at a live press conference in New York City. “At a time of momentous change in the media industry, the nationwide poll documents the emergence of ethnic media as a giant in the field,” says pollster Sergio Bendixen who conducted the poll for New California Media and its cosponsors, the Center for American Progress and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund.
The poll was conducted in 10 languages targeting 14 distinct ethnic and racial minority groups (including six Hispanic sub-groups, five Asian American sub-groups, African Americans, Native Americans, and Arab Americans). Some 1895 adult ethnic Americans were interviewed in the phone survey representing a total of 64 million adult ethnic Americans.Highlights of the poll include:
The striking reach and penetration of ethnic media among ethnic Americans nationwide
The lack of influence of “mainstream newspapers” within rapidly growing ethnic and racial minority communities
High trust levels for ethnic media among ethnic and racial minority audiences
WHO: Pollster Sergio Bendixen, CEO of Bendixen & Associates will present the poll results with opening comments from Sandy Close, executive director of New California Media.
Cosponsors of the poll will discuss the findings in the tele-press and live press conferences. Along with the cosponsors, representatives of the advertising industry’s two major associations, the Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising, will discuss findings at the press conference in New York.
WHERE AND HOW:
NEW YORK PRESS CONFERENCE - June 7, 2005 at 10:00 am Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street)New York, NY 10021
NATIONAL TELE-PRESS CONFERENCE - June 7, 2005 at 11:30 am (PST) 2:30 pm (EST) Dial in: 1-866-425-1970Participant code: 337509#To follow the presentation online go to:
http://news.ncmonline.com/news/
view_alt_category.html?category_id=95
and click on Survey of Ethnic Americans on Media Use presentation (unavailable until release date)
PLEASE RSVP TO BRAHMANI HOUSTON
mailto:bhouston@pacificnews.org
ABOUT NCM AND POLL CO-SPONSORS:
NCM, founded in 1996 by the nonprofit Pacific News Service to promote ethnic media, has been a pioneer of multilingual polling since 2002, with support from a broad range of foundations and organizations, including the Ford Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, Overbrook Foundation, the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the American Association of Advertising Agencies.
The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to promoting a strong, just and free America that ensures opportunity for all. CAP believes that Americans are bound together by a common commitment to these values and they aspire to ensure that our national policies reflect these values.
The Leadership Conference on
Civil Rights Education Fund is the research, education, and communications arm of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most diverse civil and human rights coalition.
mailto:Houstonbhouston@pacificnews.org
415-503-4170
cell 415-515-1729
***Media Advisory***
FIRST MULTILINGUAL SURVEY OF ETHNIC
AMERICANS ON MEDIA USE TO BE RELEASED JUNE 7
WHAT: The results of the first national multilingual survey of ethnic Americans on their media habits will be released on June 7 in a national tele-press conference and at a live press conference in New York City. “At a time of momentous change in the media industry, the nationwide poll documents the emergence of ethnic media as a giant in the field,” says pollster Sergio Bendixen who conducted the poll for New California Media and its cosponsors, the Center for American Progress and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund.
The poll was conducted in 10 languages targeting 14 distinct ethnic and racial minority groups (including six Hispanic sub-groups, five Asian American sub-groups, African Americans, Native Americans, and Arab Americans). Some 1895 adult ethnic Americans were interviewed in the phone survey representing a total of 64 million adult ethnic Americans.Highlights of the poll include:
The striking reach and penetration of ethnic media among ethnic Americans nationwide
The lack of influence of “mainstream newspapers” within rapidly growing ethnic and racial minority communities
High trust levels for ethnic media among ethnic and racial minority audiences
WHO: Pollster Sergio Bendixen, CEO of Bendixen & Associates will present the poll results with opening comments from Sandy Close, executive director of New California Media.
Cosponsors of the poll will discuss the findings in the tele-press and live press conferences. Along with the cosponsors, representatives of the advertising industry’s two major associations, the Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising, will discuss findings at the press conference in New York.
WHERE AND HOW:
NEW YORK PRESS CONFERENCE - June 7, 2005 at 10:00 am Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street)New York, NY 10021
NATIONAL TELE-PRESS CONFERENCE - June 7, 2005 at 11:30 am (PST) 2:30 pm (EST) Dial in: 1-866-425-1970Participant code: 337509#To follow the presentation online go to:
http://news.ncmonline.com/news/
view_alt_category.html?category_id=95
and click on Survey of Ethnic Americans on Media Use presentation (unavailable until release date)
PLEASE RSVP TO BRAHMANI HOUSTON
mailto:bhouston@pacificnews.org
ABOUT NCM AND POLL CO-SPONSORS:
NCM, founded in 1996 by the nonprofit Pacific News Service to promote ethnic media, has been a pioneer of multilingual polling since 2002, with support from a broad range of foundations and organizations, including the Ford Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, Overbrook Foundation, the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the American Association of Advertising Agencies.
The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to promoting a strong, just and free America that ensures opportunity for all. CAP believes that Americans are bound together by a common commitment to these values and they aspire to ensure that our national policies reflect these values.
The Leadership Conference on
Civil Rights Education Fund is the research, education, and communications arm of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most diverse civil and human rights coalition.
Friday, May 20, 2005
FMAT Declares March Against Terrorism a success May 20, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kamal Nawash
May 20, 2005
Phone: 202-776-7190
E-mail: president@freemuslims.org
WATCH VIDEOS OF MARCH AGAINST TERROR
Washington, DC (May 20, 2005) The Free Muslims Coalition (FMC), a leading American Muslims organization with 13 chapters, is proud to announce that the first annual March Against Terror was a success. For those of you who were unable to attend the rally, you can watch it by visiting www.FreeMuslims.org.
There are two videos, a short video by the Washington Post and the entire rally on C-span. We hope you enjoy watching the rally. The rally was a success because of the quality of the speakers and because our message was carried across the world. Not only was the event covered by major American media outlets but also by Al-Jazeerah and Al-Arabia, the two largest media outlets in the Arab and Muslim world.
We have received hundreds of e-mails from the Arab world expressing support for our efforts and from those who hate our efforts. That is fine with us aslong as our message of tolerance, non-violence, separation of religion and politics, equality for women and democracy is heard. Please help us cover the cost of the rally by sending a contribution at:
http://www.freemuslims.org/support/donate.php
NEW ZEALAND CHAPTER OF FMC ADVISES GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON TERROR
New Zealand (May 19, 2005) Thomas Haidon, the President of the New Zealand Chapter ofthe Free Muslims Coalition (FMC) testified before the New Zealand Parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Trade Select Committee on how to combat Terrorism. Haidon argued on behalf of FMC that New Zealand must work harder to strengthen the provisions of their anti-terrorism laws in order for New Zealand to meet its international obligations while at the same time achieving a fair balance between human rights and national security.
Haidon argued that New Zealand’s laws require strengthening by adding language to punish people who participate in terrorist activities based on recklessness as opposed to justintentional involvement.
FMC believes that we have a wider role to play in the public policy spectrum in theUnited States and internationally. According to Haidon, "As Muslims we must work withinour own communities and outside of our communities to present a unified front against terrorism.For more information, visit or website at www.freemuslims.org
###
Contact: Kamal Nawash
May 20, 2005
Phone: 202-776-7190
E-mail: president@freemuslims.org
WATCH VIDEOS OF MARCH AGAINST TERROR
Washington, DC (May 20, 2005) The Free Muslims Coalition (FMC), a leading American Muslims organization with 13 chapters, is proud to announce that the first annual March Against Terror was a success. For those of you who were unable to attend the rally, you can watch it by visiting www.FreeMuslims.org.
There are two videos, a short video by the Washington Post and the entire rally on C-span. We hope you enjoy watching the rally. The rally was a success because of the quality of the speakers and because our message was carried across the world. Not only was the event covered by major American media outlets but also by Al-Jazeerah and Al-Arabia, the two largest media outlets in the Arab and Muslim world.
We have received hundreds of e-mails from the Arab world expressing support for our efforts and from those who hate our efforts. That is fine with us aslong as our message of tolerance, non-violence, separation of religion and politics, equality for women and democracy is heard. Please help us cover the cost of the rally by sending a contribution at:
http://www.freemuslims.org/support/donate.php
NEW ZEALAND CHAPTER OF FMC ADVISES GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON TERROR
New Zealand (May 19, 2005) Thomas Haidon, the President of the New Zealand Chapter ofthe Free Muslims Coalition (FMC) testified before the New Zealand Parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Trade Select Committee on how to combat Terrorism. Haidon argued on behalf of FMC that New Zealand must work harder to strengthen the provisions of their anti-terrorism laws in order for New Zealand to meet its international obligations while at the same time achieving a fair balance between human rights and national security.
Haidon argued that New Zealand’s laws require strengthening by adding language to punish people who participate in terrorist activities based on recklessness as opposed to justintentional involvement.
FMC believes that we have a wider role to play in the public policy spectrum in theUnited States and internationally. According to Haidon, "As Muslims we must work withinour own communities and outside of our communities to present a unified front against terrorism.For more information, visit or website at www.freemuslims.org
###
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Arab groups join ACLU lawsuit May 18, 2005
ADC Press Release:ADC Joins ACLU in Lawsuit Asking for Information Release on Possible FBI JTTF Spying on Political and Religious Groups
http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2504
May 18, 2005, Washington, DC - Today the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Greenpeace, and United for Peace and Justice, among other organizations in filing a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and the US Department of Justice.Today's lawsuit asks the court for injunctive relief to intervene in the expedited processing of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made by ADC, the ACLU, and the other organizations in December.
BACKGROUNDIn December, 2004, citing evidence that the FBI and local police are illegally spying on political, environmental and faith-based groups, ADC joined the ACLU in filing multiple FOIA requests around the country to uncover possible FBI JTTF spying activities on political and religious groups.
The requests sought information about the FBI's use of the JTTF and local police to engage in political surveillance. As part of the request, the organizations also requested expedited processing on the ground that the records sought pertained to "[a] matter of widespread and exceptional media interest in which there exist possible questions about the government's integrity which affect public confidence."
ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, "As always, ADC supports all efforts to keep our country secure and support the FBI and other law enforcement agencies in their efforts to keep us all safe from real terrorists and criminals. However, the non-response we have so far had to our FOIA requests leaves a lot to be desired from our public servants. Targeting Arabs and Muslims on the basis of national origin, sending undercover agents to completely lawful and constitutionally protected anti-war meetings, and infiltrating student groups does not make us safer."
ADC and the other plaintiff organizations have pointed to many documented examples of JTTF involvement in the investigation of environmental activists, anti-war protesters, and others who are clearly neither terrorists nor involved in terrorist activities, including:> aggressively questioning Muslims and Arabs on the basis of religion or national origin rather than suspicion of wrongdoing> tracking down parents of student peace activists> downloading anti-war action alerts from Catholic Peace Ministries> infiltrating student groups> sending undercover agents to National Lawyers Guild meetings
These activities were, and are, not the only evidence that the FBI JTTF is building files on activists. It should be noted that ADC had already documented multiple incidents where JTTF members have inappropriately questioned, pursued, and, in some instances, harassed individuals for no reasons other than their political views and/or their national origin.A classified FBI intelligence memorandum disclosed publicly last November (2004) revealed that the FBI has actually directed police to target and monitor lawful political demonstrations under the rubric of fighting terrorism.
Included in these FOIA filings are national and local advocates for well-known causes, including the environment, animal rights, labor, religion, Native American rights, fair trade, grassroots politics, peace, social justice, nuclear disarmament, human rights and civil liberties. Requests were also filed on behalf of numerous individuals, including anorganizer for Service Employees International Union, a former Catholic priest, and student activists.ADC has joined in today's lawsuit because of the FBI's lack of response in complying with the requests in an expedited fashion.-30-
http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=2504
May 18, 2005, Washington, DC - Today the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Greenpeace, and United for Peace and Justice, among other organizations in filing a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and the US Department of Justice.Today's lawsuit asks the court for injunctive relief to intervene in the expedited processing of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made by ADC, the ACLU, and the other organizations in December.
BACKGROUNDIn December, 2004, citing evidence that the FBI and local police are illegally spying on political, environmental and faith-based groups, ADC joined the ACLU in filing multiple FOIA requests around the country to uncover possible FBI JTTF spying activities on political and religious groups.
The requests sought information about the FBI's use of the JTTF and local police to engage in political surveillance. As part of the request, the organizations also requested expedited processing on the ground that the records sought pertained to "[a] matter of widespread and exceptional media interest in which there exist possible questions about the government's integrity which affect public confidence."
ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, "As always, ADC supports all efforts to keep our country secure and support the FBI and other law enforcement agencies in their efforts to keep us all safe from real terrorists and criminals. However, the non-response we have so far had to our FOIA requests leaves a lot to be desired from our public servants. Targeting Arabs and Muslims on the basis of national origin, sending undercover agents to completely lawful and constitutionally protected anti-war meetings, and infiltrating student groups does not make us safer."
ADC and the other plaintiff organizations have pointed to many documented examples of JTTF involvement in the investigation of environmental activists, anti-war protesters, and others who are clearly neither terrorists nor involved in terrorist activities, including:> aggressively questioning Muslims and Arabs on the basis of religion or national origin rather than suspicion of wrongdoing> tracking down parents of student peace activists> downloading anti-war action alerts from Catholic Peace Ministries> infiltrating student groups> sending undercover agents to National Lawyers Guild meetings
These activities were, and are, not the only evidence that the FBI JTTF is building files on activists. It should be noted that ADC had already documented multiple incidents where JTTF members have inappropriately questioned, pursued, and, in some instances, harassed individuals for no reasons other than their political views and/or their national origin.A classified FBI intelligence memorandum disclosed publicly last November (2004) revealed that the FBI has actually directed police to target and monitor lawful political demonstrations under the rubric of fighting terrorism.
Included in these FOIA filings are national and local advocates for well-known causes, including the environment, animal rights, labor, religion, Native American rights, fair trade, grassroots politics, peace, social justice, nuclear disarmament, human rights and civil liberties. Requests were also filed on behalf of numerous individuals, including anorganizer for Service Employees International Union, a former Catholic priest, and student activists.ADC has joined in today's lawsuit because of the FBI's lack of response in complying with the requests in an expedited fashion.-30-
Amazon.Com racism denounced May 18, 2005
MPAC & Muslim Customer Call for Condemnation by National Online Bookseller
(Los Angeles, 5/17/05) – An American Muslim woman who ordered a copy of the Quran from Amazon.com received one with the words "F*ck this piece of sh*t" and "Death to all Muslims" scrawled across the inside cover. Customer Azza Basarudin and the Muslim Public Affairs Council will demand that Amazon issue a formal condemnation and take corrective action at a press conference on Wednesday, May 18 at 11:00 a.m. at the Islamic Center of Southern California.
"The cult of hatred against Islam and Muslims is manifesting in different sectors of our society," said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. "The sooner we address these problems, the better we can serve America's national and international interests."
After placing an order with Amazon.com earlier this month, customer Azza Basarudin received the Quran she ordered from Bellwether Books, a subcontractor of the national online bookseller. Basarudin contacted MPAC when she discovered the desecration and profanity inside. Last week, MPAC contacted Amazon CEO Jeff Bazos' office to demand an investigation and called for the company to issue a public condemnation, establish a policy of zero tolerance toward this type of behavior, and support MPAC's hate crime prevention programs. Amazon.com apologized for "distress caused by incident" but has taken no corrective action. MPAC has invited Amazon.com to participate in the press conference and share their position on this case. MPAC, which is representing the customer, will call for Amazon to take swift and decisive action against those responsible for the desecration.
The Amazon.com Quran desecration case comes in the wake of national attention on the alleged desecration of the Quran by interrogators at Guantanamo Bay.
WHAT: Press Conference Demanding Amazon.com Take Action in Response to Delivery of Desecrated Quran to Muslim Customer WHO: Azza Basarudin, Amazon.com customer who received desecrated QuranSalam Al-Marayati, MPAC Executive DirectorAmazon.com representative (invited) WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. WHERE:Islamic Center of Southern California434 South Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020 [CONTACT: Edina Lekovic, 213-383-3443, communications@mpac.org]
(Los Angeles, 5/17/05) – An American Muslim woman who ordered a copy of the Quran from Amazon.com received one with the words "F*ck this piece of sh*t" and "Death to all Muslims" scrawled across the inside cover. Customer Azza Basarudin and the Muslim Public Affairs Council will demand that Amazon issue a formal condemnation and take corrective action at a press conference on Wednesday, May 18 at 11:00 a.m. at the Islamic Center of Southern California.
"The cult of hatred against Islam and Muslims is manifesting in different sectors of our society," said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. "The sooner we address these problems, the better we can serve America's national and international interests."
After placing an order with Amazon.com earlier this month, customer Azza Basarudin received the Quran she ordered from Bellwether Books, a subcontractor of the national online bookseller. Basarudin contacted MPAC when she discovered the desecration and profanity inside. Last week, MPAC contacted Amazon CEO Jeff Bazos' office to demand an investigation and called for the company to issue a public condemnation, establish a policy of zero tolerance toward this type of behavior, and support MPAC's hate crime prevention programs. Amazon.com apologized for "distress caused by incident" but has taken no corrective action. MPAC has invited Amazon.com to participate in the press conference and share their position on this case. MPAC, which is representing the customer, will call for Amazon to take swift and decisive action against those responsible for the desecration.
The Amazon.com Quran desecration case comes in the wake of national attention on the alleged desecration of the Quran by interrogators at Guantanamo Bay.
WHAT: Press Conference Demanding Amazon.com Take Action in Response to Delivery of Desecrated Quran to Muslim Customer WHO: Azza Basarudin, Amazon.com customer who received desecrated QuranSalam Al-Marayati, MPAC Executive DirectorAmazon.com representative (invited) WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. WHERE:Islamic Center of Southern California434 South Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020 [CONTACT: Edina Lekovic, 213-383-3443, communications@mpac.org]
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Summer Camp program in Palestine
Palestine Summer Encounter
Application deadline for both sessions is May 12, 2005
The Palestine Summer Encounter is a one or two-month Arabic language training and volunteer program. This unique encounter gives travelers the opportunity to meet and help Palestinians. During their two-month stay, participants will learn Arabic with an intensive language-training program, partner with Palestinian humanitarian and non-profit organizations and live with a Palestinian Family.
For more information www.hlttravel.org http://travel.holylandtrust.org
George Rishmawi
Director,Travel and Encounter Program
Holy Land Trust
#529 Manger Street
Bethlehem, Palestine
Tel: + 972 2 276 5930Fax: + 972 2 276 5931
Email: encounter@holylandtrust.org
Website: www.holylandtrust.org
Mobile: 059 674 995http://profiles.yahoo.com/abusaliba
Application deadline for both sessions is May 12, 2005
The Palestine Summer Encounter is a one or two-month Arabic language training and volunteer program. This unique encounter gives travelers the opportunity to meet and help Palestinians. During their two-month stay, participants will learn Arabic with an intensive language-training program, partner with Palestinian humanitarian and non-profit organizations and live with a Palestinian Family.
For more information www.hlttravel.org http://travel.holylandtrust.org
George Rishmawi
Director,Travel and Encounter Program
Holy Land Trust
#529 Manger Street
Bethlehem, Palestine
Tel: + 972 2 276 5930Fax: + 972 2 276 5931
Email: encounter@holylandtrust.org
Website: www.holylandtrust.org
Mobile: 059 674 995http://profiles.yahoo.com/abusaliba
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
New play by Betty Shamieh premieres in San Francisco
Betty Shamieh’s
THE BLACK EYED
a world premiere production directed by Jessica Heidt
Northside Theatre
Developed at the Magic through the Martha Heasley Cox Raw Play Series and with generous support from The Tournesol Project.
Four Arab women from across the ages wait at the "Gates of Martyrs." As they struggle to come to terms with their culture, their lives, and their choices, this shockingly funny play skewers traditional views on sex, family, and terrorism.
Previews: Sat., May 7, 8pm;
Sun., May 8, 7pm;
Tues., May 10–Fri., May 13, 8pm
Opening Night: Sat., May 14, 8pm
Performances continue:
Sun., May 15, 2:30pm
Tues., May 17, 8pm
Fri., May 20–Sat., May 21, 8pm
Wed., May 25–Fri., May 27, 8pm
Thurs., June 2, 8pm
Sat., June 4, 8pm
Sun., June 5, 2:30pm
Tues., June 7, 8pm
Fri., June 10, 8pm
Sat., June 11, 2:30pm
Sun., June 12, 2:30pm
Tues., June 14–Wed., June 15, 8pm
Sun., June 19, 2:30pm
Betty Shamieh is a Palestinian-American playwright, who was born and raised in the Bay Area. Her play ROAR premiered at the New Group in April 2004 and was selected as a New York Times Critics Pick for four consecutive weeks. She performed in her play of monologues CHOCOLATE IN HEAT in three sold-out off-off-Broadway runs and at over twenty universities throughout the country. She has been awarded an NEA grant, New York Foundation for the Arts award, New Dramatists Van Lier Fellowship, Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio residency, Ford Foundation grant, and Sundance Theatre Institute residency. She has been selected as a 2005 Bunting Institute Fellow at Harvard/Radcliffe. Her next play has been commissioned by Trinity Rep (RI). Shamieh is a graduate of Harvard University and the Yale School of Drama, and is currently serving on the playwriting advisory board for the New York Foundation for the Arts.
Jessica Heidt, director, is thrilled to helm her first mainstage production at the Magic Theatre. She has worked at the Magic since 1998, when she began as in intern in the casting department. She then became Casting Director, Director of Education, Company Manager, and in 2003, Associate Artistic Director. She has worked with a vast array of playwrights on developmental readings and workshops over the years ranging from Neena Beber, to Catherine Filloux to Robert Clyman. Outside of the Magic Theatre most recently directed the world premiere of Apocrypha by Ignacio Zulueta, as well as in SFSU’s Greenhouse Project and the Best of Playground Festival. She serves as casting director for many Bay Area theatre and film productions including Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Traveling Jewish Theatre, Zoetrope LiveStory, and Hodge Productions. She also teaches at various Bay Area high schools and universities.
# # #
creating dialogue...fearlessly
David Perry & Associates, Inc.
Flood Building
870 Market Street, Suite 670
San Francisco, CA 94102-3008
P. (415) 693-0583
F. (415) 693-0584
news@davidperry.com
www.davidperry.com
THE BLACK EYED
a world premiere production directed by Jessica Heidt
Northside Theatre
Developed at the Magic through the Martha Heasley Cox Raw Play Series and with generous support from The Tournesol Project.
Four Arab women from across the ages wait at the "Gates of Martyrs." As they struggle to come to terms with their culture, their lives, and their choices, this shockingly funny play skewers traditional views on sex, family, and terrorism.
Previews: Sat., May 7, 8pm;
Sun., May 8, 7pm;
Tues., May 10–Fri., May 13, 8pm
Opening Night: Sat., May 14, 8pm
Performances continue:
Sun., May 15, 2:30pm
Tues., May 17, 8pm
Fri., May 20–Sat., May 21, 8pm
Wed., May 25–Fri., May 27, 8pm
Thurs., June 2, 8pm
Sat., June 4, 8pm
Sun., June 5, 2:30pm
Tues., June 7, 8pm
Fri., June 10, 8pm
Sat., June 11, 2:30pm
Sun., June 12, 2:30pm
Tues., June 14–Wed., June 15, 8pm
Sun., June 19, 2:30pm
Betty Shamieh is a Palestinian-American playwright, who was born and raised in the Bay Area. Her play ROAR premiered at the New Group in April 2004 and was selected as a New York Times Critics Pick for four consecutive weeks. She performed in her play of monologues CHOCOLATE IN HEAT in three sold-out off-off-Broadway runs and at over twenty universities throughout the country. She has been awarded an NEA grant, New York Foundation for the Arts award, New Dramatists Van Lier Fellowship, Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio residency, Ford Foundation grant, and Sundance Theatre Institute residency. She has been selected as a 2005 Bunting Institute Fellow at Harvard/Radcliffe. Her next play has been commissioned by Trinity Rep (RI). Shamieh is a graduate of Harvard University and the Yale School of Drama, and is currently serving on the playwriting advisory board for the New York Foundation for the Arts.
Jessica Heidt, director, is thrilled to helm her first mainstage production at the Magic Theatre. She has worked at the Magic since 1998, when she began as in intern in the casting department. She then became Casting Director, Director of Education, Company Manager, and in 2003, Associate Artistic Director. She has worked with a vast array of playwrights on developmental readings and workshops over the years ranging from Neena Beber, to Catherine Filloux to Robert Clyman. Outside of the Magic Theatre most recently directed the world premiere of Apocrypha by Ignacio Zulueta, as well as in SFSU’s Greenhouse Project and the Best of Playground Festival. She serves as casting director for many Bay Area theatre and film productions including Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Traveling Jewish Theatre, Zoetrope LiveStory, and Hodge Productions. She also teaches at various Bay Area high schools and universities.
# # #
creating dialogue...fearlessly
David Perry & Associates, Inc.
Flood Building
870 Market Street, Suite 670
San Francisco, CA 94102-3008
P. (415) 693-0583
F. (415) 693-0584
news@davidperry.com
www.davidperry.com
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Palestinians must battle extremists to achieve peace -- May 5, 2005
Palestinians must battle their extremists to achieve peace
May 5, 2005/Arab America Media Syndicate
Permission granted to republish
By Ray Hanania
Palestinian and Israeli peace is threatened by a growing movement of uncompromising rejectionists nourished by the ongoing conflict.
Extremists can’t afford to let the conflict end.
Many Israelis are thwarted by an inability to distinguish between the criticism of Palestinians moderates and the criticism of extremists.
Palestinians suffer under two occupations, the occupation by Israel and the occupation of Palestinian extremists who believe that continued suffering is a better alternative to compromise.
Palestinian moderates face dual obstacles, not the least of which are Israel’s sentinels. Conditioned to defend Israel at all cost, they fail to distinguish between Palestinian moderation and extremism focusing instead on issues of differences that results in a destructive debate.
But the greater threat to peace is the challenge facing Palestinian moderates from within their own confused and battered community.
Palestinians are too defensive and consumed with their suffering and anger. The hatred sometimes produced prevents them from seeing past these emotions. Yet they must see beyond.
In recent months, leaders of the American based al-Awda movement, the organization advocating for the return of all Palestinian refugees to Israel, have unleashed a campaign of hate against moderates seeking to compromise with Israel. Targeted are Palestinians who dare to speak out against unreasonable policies of rejectionism.
There is a conspiracy of doctrine that unites the extremists. They attack those who question the faults of their policies and those who speak out against violence, denounce terrorist organizations like Hamas and denounce suicide bombings as immoral.
As Palestinians strive to define the moderate voice and speaking out against anti-Semitism, extremists are responding with stronger and more forceful campaigns to discredit them.
The most difficult hurdles facing the creation of two states are the sharing Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugee problem. In addressing the refugee problem, Palestinian moderates are seeking to end the suffering of the refugees and their disenfranchised descendents.
To salvage Palestinian rights and to achieve statehood, Palestinians must find the courage to speak to these difficult issues and to prevail over the uncompromising ideologues.
The al-Awda extremists are exploiting not fighting to end Palestinian suffering. They need that suffering to continue, just as all extremists need the conflict to rage on endlessly.
These rejectionists have a direct stake in the conflict. If it ends, they end, too. They have created an industry of exploitation that thrives on the suffering. They have jobs, salaries, lives and a soapbox from which they can continue to preach uncompromising hatred to their choir of disillusioned, disheartened and lost.
For more than half century, this unholy brotherhood has imprisoned the Palestinian refugees in their camps. To prevent peace, they will use any tool including violence that goes far beyond the boundaries of legitimate resistance.
They have duped many well-intentioned supporters of human rights who want to help the Palestinians, but who have no other voices to support.
The average Palestinian is living in a Diaspora of emotion and injured national pride that cannot easily be overcome to see the truth. Rather than challenge the extremists, most Palestinians remain silent, empowering the extremists. It’s a cycle of viciousness that must be broken.
Rather than receiving full support from moderate Israelis and Jews, they are being challenged, not on issues of larger substance but on smaller issues of vanity.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has generated two separate historical narratives that will never meet, not even after a peace accord is achieved. The solution, though, is to recognize that while we cannot agree on details of history, we can agree on the details of a future based on mutual respect, security and sovereignty.
Peace does not mean we cannot criticize each other. We can and we should. But we can criticize policies, not people. Events, not emotions.
Instead of looking back at history to find reasons why we cannot come together, Palestinians and Israelis must turn away and look toward a future, and work together to overcome all extremists working together.
Before this can happen, though, Palestinians must find their true independence. They have to break free from the choke hold of fanaticism that is eroding their future. They must find the courage to face the unreasonable stridency that smothers Palestinians under a more vicious occupation.
Supporters of Israel can either standup and support this effort, or they can continue to remain silent wrongly believing that this debate undermines the strength of the Palestinian cause.
At some point, Israelis and Jews must also standup to the extremists who also exist in their community.
Then and only then can the future be free of violence and Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace and dignity in two states.
(Ray Hanania is the former national president of the Palestinian American Congress. An award winning journalist and author, Hanania can be reached at rayhanania@aol.com)
May 5, 2005/Arab America Media Syndicate
Permission granted to republish
By Ray Hanania
Palestinian and Israeli peace is threatened by a growing movement of uncompromising rejectionists nourished by the ongoing conflict.
Extremists can’t afford to let the conflict end.
Many Israelis are thwarted by an inability to distinguish between the criticism of Palestinians moderates and the criticism of extremists.
Palestinians suffer under two occupations, the occupation by Israel and the occupation of Palestinian extremists who believe that continued suffering is a better alternative to compromise.
Palestinian moderates face dual obstacles, not the least of which are Israel’s sentinels. Conditioned to defend Israel at all cost, they fail to distinguish between Palestinian moderation and extremism focusing instead on issues of differences that results in a destructive debate.
But the greater threat to peace is the challenge facing Palestinian moderates from within their own confused and battered community.
Palestinians are too defensive and consumed with their suffering and anger. The hatred sometimes produced prevents them from seeing past these emotions. Yet they must see beyond.
In recent months, leaders of the American based al-Awda movement, the organization advocating for the return of all Palestinian refugees to Israel, have unleashed a campaign of hate against moderates seeking to compromise with Israel. Targeted are Palestinians who dare to speak out against unreasonable policies of rejectionism.
There is a conspiracy of doctrine that unites the extremists. They attack those who question the faults of their policies and those who speak out against violence, denounce terrorist organizations like Hamas and denounce suicide bombings as immoral.
As Palestinians strive to define the moderate voice and speaking out against anti-Semitism, extremists are responding with stronger and more forceful campaigns to discredit them.
The most difficult hurdles facing the creation of two states are the sharing Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugee problem. In addressing the refugee problem, Palestinian moderates are seeking to end the suffering of the refugees and their disenfranchised descendents.
To salvage Palestinian rights and to achieve statehood, Palestinians must find the courage to speak to these difficult issues and to prevail over the uncompromising ideologues.
The al-Awda extremists are exploiting not fighting to end Palestinian suffering. They need that suffering to continue, just as all extremists need the conflict to rage on endlessly.
These rejectionists have a direct stake in the conflict. If it ends, they end, too. They have created an industry of exploitation that thrives on the suffering. They have jobs, salaries, lives and a soapbox from which they can continue to preach uncompromising hatred to their choir of disillusioned, disheartened and lost.
For more than half century, this unholy brotherhood has imprisoned the Palestinian refugees in their camps. To prevent peace, they will use any tool including violence that goes far beyond the boundaries of legitimate resistance.
They have duped many well-intentioned supporters of human rights who want to help the Palestinians, but who have no other voices to support.
The average Palestinian is living in a Diaspora of emotion and injured national pride that cannot easily be overcome to see the truth. Rather than challenge the extremists, most Palestinians remain silent, empowering the extremists. It’s a cycle of viciousness that must be broken.
Rather than receiving full support from moderate Israelis and Jews, they are being challenged, not on issues of larger substance but on smaller issues of vanity.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has generated two separate historical narratives that will never meet, not even after a peace accord is achieved. The solution, though, is to recognize that while we cannot agree on details of history, we can agree on the details of a future based on mutual respect, security and sovereignty.
Peace does not mean we cannot criticize each other. We can and we should. But we can criticize policies, not people. Events, not emotions.
Instead of looking back at history to find reasons why we cannot come together, Palestinians and Israelis must turn away and look toward a future, and work together to overcome all extremists working together.
Before this can happen, though, Palestinians must find their true independence. They have to break free from the choke hold of fanaticism that is eroding their future. They must find the courage to face the unreasonable stridency that smothers Palestinians under a more vicious occupation.
Supporters of Israel can either standup and support this effort, or they can continue to remain silent wrongly believing that this debate undermines the strength of the Palestinian cause.
At some point, Israelis and Jews must also standup to the extremists who also exist in their community.
Then and only then can the future be free of violence and Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace and dignity in two states.
(Ray Hanania is the former national president of the Palestinian American Congress. An award winning journalist and author, Hanania can be reached at rayhanania@aol.com)
Palestinian American Congress elects new leaders May 1, 2005
The Palestinian American Congress
www.pac-national.org
PRESS RELEASE
April 28, 2005
Media contact:
Marwan ElMasri
The Palestinian American Congress successfully completed it’s sixth Annual Convention in Houston, Texas on April 24, 2005
The convention included a panel discussion about the Palestinian right of return by Dr. Ghassan Shabaneh, workshops, and a presentation describing the detrimental effects the settlements and the Apartheid Wall have on Palestinians by Mr. Mohammed Alatar.
Dr. Mustafa Albargouthi and Father Hanna Atallah addressed the convention via video-satellite from Palestine.
Renowned Palestinian Director Yahia Barakat presented his film about Rachel Corrie.
A board meeting was held on April 24th. Elections for the Executive Committee and Directors of the Board took place with the following results:
Sameer Tuffaha Chairman of the board
Faraj Said Vice Chairman of the board
Dr. Zafer Miqdadi Secretary of the board
National Executive Committee
Maher Abdelqader President
Joanne Abuqartoumi Vice President
Salah Asad Secretary
Khaled Aldumee Treasurer
Mohammad Abdallah Member
Mohammad Nawash Member
Osama Amin Member
The convention was concluded with a banquet, featuring our distinguished guest, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, and an evening of traditional Palestinian dance and songs by Ammar Hasan; The Palestinian Superstar.
A fund raiser event raised almost $130,000 between donations and pledges.
END
www.pac-national.org
PRESS RELEASE
April 28, 2005
Media contact:
Marwan ElMasri
The Palestinian American Congress successfully completed it’s sixth Annual Convention in Houston, Texas on April 24, 2005
The convention included a panel discussion about the Palestinian right of return by Dr. Ghassan Shabaneh, workshops, and a presentation describing the detrimental effects the settlements and the Apartheid Wall have on Palestinians by Mr. Mohammed Alatar.
Dr. Mustafa Albargouthi and Father Hanna Atallah addressed the convention via video-satellite from Palestine.
Renowned Palestinian Director Yahia Barakat presented his film about Rachel Corrie.
A board meeting was held on April 24th. Elections for the Executive Committee and Directors of the Board took place with the following results:
Sameer Tuffaha Chairman of the board
Faraj Said Vice Chairman of the board
Dr. Zafer Miqdadi Secretary of the board
National Executive Committee
Maher Abdelqader President
Joanne Abuqartoumi Vice President
Salah Asad Secretary
Khaled Aldumee Treasurer
Mohammad Abdallah Member
Mohammad Nawash Member
Osama Amin Member
The convention was concluded with a banquet, featuring our distinguished guest, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, and an evening of traditional Palestinian dance and songs by Ammar Hasan; The Palestinian Superstar.
A fund raiser event raised almost $130,000 between donations and pledges.
END
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Extremist convicted in Virginia - FMCAT statement April 27, 2005
FREE MUSLIMS APPLAUD CONVICTION OF EXTREMIST MUSLIM LEADER
An extremist Muslim leader from Northern Virginia was convicted of inciting his followers to train overseas to commit violence against the United States.
Timimi, 41, was convicted of inspiring a group of his Northern Virginia followers toattend terrorist training camps in Pakistan and prepare to battle American troops among other charges. The government's case against Timimi was based on a meeting he attendedon Sept. 16, 2001.
According to court papers, Timimi allegedly told his followers that"the time had come for them to go abroad and join the mujahideen (evil doers) in violent jihad in Afghanistan,".
Nor surprisingly, many of the Muslim "leaders" in Washington DC have come to the defense of Tamimi by arguing that his conviction was nothing more than a witch hunt and that hewas merely a "Muslim scholar" exercising his rights to free speech.
The Free Muslims Against Terrorism do not share these beliefs. Ali Al-Tamimi is a well known extremist and he represents everything that has gone wrong with the Muslim world.
His evil words have cast a dark cloud over the rest of the Muslim community and we areglad that justice was served. The Free Muslims Against Terrorism have argued time and time again that the Muslim community must not tolerate people like Ali Al-Tamimi. We strongly urge American Muslim organizations to read the poison that Al-Tamimi has spread in the Muslim community and not assume that he was unjustly accused. He is an evil man and Muslims must not wait onfederal authorities to remove evil doers like Tamimi from our community. Moderate Moslems must take the initiative and discredit people like Tamimi.
The Free Muslims Against Terrorism are pleased with the verdict against Ali Al-Tamimi. We are however, disappointed in the responses of some American Muslim organizations to his verdict. By categorizing every conviction against every Muslim as a witch hunt,American Muslim leaders are closing their eyes to the sad fact that we have a problem with extremism and that Muslims are the only ones who can defeat extremist ideologies from the Muslim community.
For more information, visit or website at www.freemuslims.org
An extremist Muslim leader from Northern Virginia was convicted of inciting his followers to train overseas to commit violence against the United States.
Timimi, 41, was convicted of inspiring a group of his Northern Virginia followers toattend terrorist training camps in Pakistan and prepare to battle American troops among other charges. The government's case against Timimi was based on a meeting he attendedon Sept. 16, 2001.
According to court papers, Timimi allegedly told his followers that"the time had come for them to go abroad and join the mujahideen (evil doers) in violent jihad in Afghanistan,".
Nor surprisingly, many of the Muslim "leaders" in Washington DC have come to the defense of Tamimi by arguing that his conviction was nothing more than a witch hunt and that hewas merely a "Muslim scholar" exercising his rights to free speech.
The Free Muslims Against Terrorism do not share these beliefs. Ali Al-Tamimi is a well known extremist and he represents everything that has gone wrong with the Muslim world.
His evil words have cast a dark cloud over the rest of the Muslim community and we areglad that justice was served. The Free Muslims Against Terrorism have argued time and time again that the Muslim community must not tolerate people like Ali Al-Tamimi. We strongly urge American Muslim organizations to read the poison that Al-Tamimi has spread in the Muslim community and not assume that he was unjustly accused. He is an evil man and Muslims must not wait onfederal authorities to remove evil doers like Tamimi from our community. Moderate Moslems must take the initiative and discredit people like Tamimi.
The Free Muslims Against Terrorism are pleased with the verdict against Ali Al-Tamimi. We are however, disappointed in the responses of some American Muslim organizations to his verdict. By categorizing every conviction against every Muslim as a witch hunt,American Muslim leaders are closing their eyes to the sad fact that we have a problem with extremism and that Muslims are the only ones who can defeat extremist ideologies from the Muslim community.
For more information, visit or website at www.freemuslims.org
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Palestinian American Congress Convention, Houston, April 22-24
THE PALESTINIAN AMERICAN CONGRESS
6th Annual Convention-Houston Texas
April 22-24
JW Marriott Hotel on Westheimer by the Galleria5150 Westheimer Houston, Texas 77056 USA Phone: 1-713-961-1500
The Program of the 6th Annual Convention
Friday, 4/22/05:
1. Registration: 1:00PM-5:00PM
2. Reception, get together & coffee: 6:00PM-10:00PM
Saturday, 4/23/05:
1. Convention Opening: 9:00AM-10:AM
2. Workshop 1: The Palestinians Right of Return: 10:00AM-11:00AM
By Dr. Ghassan Shabaneh, PAC-New Jersey
Moderator: Mohammad Abdallah, PAC-Houston.
3. Workshop 2: Two States Solution: 11:00AM-12:00PM
By Dr. Mustafa Al-Barghouthi, Former Palestinian Presidential Candidate
Live Video Conference from Ramallah / Palestine.
4. Lunch: 12:PM-1:30PM:
Welcome Speech by PAC Houston Chapter
Key Note Speaker Dr. Mufeed Al-Shami, Chief of the North America Department at the Palestinian National Authority.
Key Note Speaker Dr. Abdallah Abdallah, Under Secretary of State / Palestine. Former Palestinian Ambassador to Canada and Greece.
5. Workshop 3: The Religious Dimension of the Palestinians struggle: 2:00PM-3:00PM
By Father Dr. Atallah Hanna
Live Video Conference from Palestine.
6. Workshop 4: Ways to utilize the media to advance the cause of the Palestinian people: 3:00PM-4:00PM
By: Adam Shapiro, co-founder and organizer with the InternationalSolidarity Movement.
Yahia Barakat, Palestinian Director/producer
Ali Al-Arabi, Palestinian-American activist.
Moderator: Dr. Marwan Masri, PAC-Boston.
7. Workshop 5: Activism: : Violence against Women in Mexico & Under Occupation in Palestine: 3:00PM-4:00PM
By: LULAC: League of Latin American Citizens Houston Chapter
Moderator: Hesham Tillawi
8. Workshop 6: Israeli colonies and the future of the two states solution: 4:00PM-5:00PM
By: Mohammad Al-Attar, Palestinians for Peace and Democracy.
Moderator: Abbas Yakoubi, PAC-Houston.
9. Workshop 7: Interfaith: 4:00PM-5:00PM
1.Suzanne Marks, Co Chair of 10,000 Kites Program Los Angeles, CA.
Topic: Flying 10,000 kites for Peace on both side of the "WALL".
2.Mr. Donald Craig,President of NAACP Orange County, CA.
Topic: UNITY: Continuing the Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Moderator: Joanne Abu Qartoumy, PAC-Los Angeles.
10. Open Buffet Dinner: 7:00PM-9:00PM
Key Note Speaker: Dr. Ahmad Tibi, Palestinian member of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament).
11. Palestinian Folkloric Entertainment: 9:00PM-1:00AM
By: Ammar Hasan, Palestinian Singer and Super Star/ Palestine.
Al-Nashama Dabkeh Group/ Houston.
About the Palestinian American Congress
The Palestinian American Congress (PAC) is a non-profit grass-roots organization that speaks on behalf of the Palestinians in the United States. PAC was established to assist the community in coordinating and organizing its political, educational, cultural and social affairs. The Palestinian American Congress adheres to the principles that the Palestinian People constitute an indivisible National unit, that Palestine, an integral part of the Arab Nation, is its national home land. PAC affirms its support of the Palestinian people's struggle to realize its national rights including its right of return to its national homeland, to national self-determination, and to its national independence and sovereignty with Jerusalem as its Capital in Palestine in accordance with the United Nations Charter and Resolutions.
Nidal Zayid (Publisher/Editor)East West Newspaper "Sharq Garb"P. O. Box 571902 , Houston , TX 77257, USAOffice:713-785-2500 - Fax:832-202-2852Cellular: (713) 204 7442www.sharqgarb.com
6th Annual Convention-Houston Texas
April 22-24
JW Marriott Hotel on Westheimer by the Galleria5150 Westheimer Houston, Texas 77056 USA Phone: 1-713-961-1500
The Program of the 6th Annual Convention
Friday, 4/22/05:
1. Registration: 1:00PM-5:00PM
2. Reception, get together & coffee: 6:00PM-10:00PM
Saturday, 4/23/05:
1. Convention Opening: 9:00AM-10:AM
2. Workshop 1: The Palestinians Right of Return: 10:00AM-11:00AM
By Dr. Ghassan Shabaneh, PAC-New Jersey
Moderator: Mohammad Abdallah, PAC-Houston.
3. Workshop 2: Two States Solution: 11:00AM-12:00PM
By Dr. Mustafa Al-Barghouthi, Former Palestinian Presidential Candidate
Live Video Conference from Ramallah / Palestine.
4. Lunch: 12:PM-1:30PM:
Welcome Speech by PAC Houston Chapter
Key Note Speaker Dr. Mufeed Al-Shami, Chief of the North America Department at the Palestinian National Authority.
Key Note Speaker Dr. Abdallah Abdallah, Under Secretary of State / Palestine. Former Palestinian Ambassador to Canada and Greece.
5. Workshop 3: The Religious Dimension of the Palestinians struggle: 2:00PM-3:00PM
By Father Dr. Atallah Hanna
Live Video Conference from Palestine.
6. Workshop 4: Ways to utilize the media to advance the cause of the Palestinian people: 3:00PM-4:00PM
By: Adam Shapiro, co-founder and organizer with the InternationalSolidarity Movement.
Yahia Barakat, Palestinian Director/producer
Ali Al-Arabi, Palestinian-American activist.
Moderator: Dr. Marwan Masri, PAC-Boston.
7. Workshop 5: Activism: : Violence against Women in Mexico & Under Occupation in Palestine: 3:00PM-4:00PM
By: LULAC: League of Latin American Citizens Houston Chapter
Moderator: Hesham Tillawi
8. Workshop 6: Israeli colonies and the future of the two states solution: 4:00PM-5:00PM
By: Mohammad Al-Attar, Palestinians for Peace and Democracy.
Moderator: Abbas Yakoubi, PAC-Houston.
9. Workshop 7: Interfaith: 4:00PM-5:00PM
1.Suzanne Marks, Co Chair of 10,000 Kites Program Los Angeles, CA.
Topic: Flying 10,000 kites for Peace on both side of the "WALL".
2.Mr. Donald Craig,President of NAACP Orange County, CA.
Topic: UNITY: Continuing the Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Moderator: Joanne Abu Qartoumy, PAC-Los Angeles.
10. Open Buffet Dinner: 7:00PM-9:00PM
Key Note Speaker: Dr. Ahmad Tibi, Palestinian member of the Israeli Knesset (Parliament).
11. Palestinian Folkloric Entertainment: 9:00PM-1:00AM
By: Ammar Hasan, Palestinian Singer and Super Star/ Palestine.
Al-Nashama Dabkeh Group/ Houston.
About the Palestinian American Congress
The Palestinian American Congress (PAC) is a non-profit grass-roots organization that speaks on behalf of the Palestinians in the United States. PAC was established to assist the community in coordinating and organizing its political, educational, cultural and social affairs. The Palestinian American Congress adheres to the principles that the Palestinian People constitute an indivisible National unit, that Palestine, an integral part of the Arab Nation, is its national home land. PAC affirms its support of the Palestinian people's struggle to realize its national rights including its right of return to its national homeland, to national self-determination, and to its national independence and sovereignty with Jerusalem as its Capital in Palestine in accordance with the United Nations Charter and Resolutions.
Nidal Zayid (Publisher/Editor)East West Newspaper "Sharq Garb"P. O. Box 571902 , Houston , TX 77257, USAOffice:713-785-2500 - Fax:832-202-2852Cellular: (713) 204 7442www.sharqgarb.com
Women's Rights restrained in so-called "Free" Iraq, April 17, 2005
Women's eNews News Desk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Naomi Abraham
212-244-1720
Women’s Hopes Restrained in Post-Election Iraq
April 17, 2005 — Female politicians and a secular Iraqi Kurd as interim president do not necessarily translate into more women’s rights in Iraq. At a women's shelter in Irbil, for instance, residents aren't expecting new protections from domestic violence.
In this week’s cover story, Women’s eNews, an independent nonprofit news service, reports on the current state of women’s rights in post-election Iraq. On April 3, in elections for Iraq's transitional national assembly, women won about 33 percent of the seats, exceeding the constitutionally required minimum of 25 percent. Although it may seem like a victory for Iraqi women, many doubt that the country's new national assembly, despite its high proportion of women, will do much to protect women against violence or help in advancing women’s rights. Instead they expect the government to be more focused on ethnic and religious politics in the coming year. Many Iraqi pro-women’s rights leaders complain that many of the elected female politicians, like some of their male counterparts, will be serving as loudspeakers for the political parties they represent.
Ala Talabani, who runs a non-governmental organization on women empowerment in Sulimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan, says part of the problem lies in the fact that the elections were not decided on the basis of issues or politics, but on ethnicity, religion, nationality. "Kurds voted for Kurds, Shiites for Shiites, Sunnis for Sunnis, Turkomen for Turkomen.”
The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/
Women’s eNews homepage also features:
Women in Chile Look Toward Rome with Apprehension by Jen Ross
As the world waits to hear who is chosen to lead the Catholic Church, women in Chile are divided on whether a new pope is likely to bring any change to the status of women in this deeply conservative and Catholic country. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2257
Pregnant Woman’s Right to Divorce Sparks Battle by Judith Spitzer
Washington State legislators voted to protect the divorce rights of pregnant women. The bill, which goes to the governor next month, was spurred by a judge's decision to revoke the divorce of a pregnant woman married to an abuser. The full article can be found at: http://womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2256
Tune In to Last Gasps of Patriarchy in Rome by Anne Eggebroten
Women are not among the cardinals, priests and choristers handling the papal transition. But Anne Eggebroten says the patriarchal show of force going on in Rome cannot stop the concerted upward push by women into church hierarchy. The full article can be found at: http://www.womenenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2255
Plan B Access Fight May Stall FDA Nomination by Cynthia L. Cooper
Access to Plan B is topic A these days, with the latest round of the struggle engulfing Lester Crawford, the FDA's acting commissioner. Until his agency rules on Plan B access, two senators vow to use procedural powers to block his nomination. The full article can be found at: http://www.womenenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2254
Germany in Angst over Low Birthrate by Emma Pearse
With the German birth rate at an all-time low, politicians and demographers are wondering how to encourage women to have babies. Some say more child care is the key. Second story on the European Union, women and work. The full article can be found at: http://www.womenenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2253
Cheers and Jeers: Pharmacist Penalized; Maloney Muzzled in House by Rasha Elass
Cheers--A pharmacist who refused to fill a birth control prescription was punished on Wednesday in Madison, Wisc., when the state Pharmacy Examining Board reprimanded him and limited his pharmacist license, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Jeers--To pave the way for easy passage of legislation that would make it harder for debtors to get a fresh financial start by filing for bankruptcy, House Republicans forbade lawmakers from offering amendments to the measure and allowed little time for debate. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/
Our Story: Colonial Daughter Rides to the Rescue by Louise Bernikow
On April 26, 1777 when 2000 “Redcoats” arrived in Danbury, Conn., Sybil Ludington rode frantically to Fredericksburg, N.Y. to alert her father, militia colonel Henry Ludington of the impending danger. Stick in hand, she beat the alarm on shuttered homes, covering 40 miles. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2241
Our Daily Lives: Taking the Gender Apartheid Tour in Saudi Arabia by Rita Henley Jensen
Women’s eNews Editor in Chief Rita Henley Jensen traveled to Saudi Arabia, to attend an economic forum. She was aware of the many restrictions on women, but once there, appreciated for the first time that the nation practiced gender apartheid. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2212
Journalist of the Month: Bonavoglia Takes On the Men in Skirts by Ann Farmer
If those who fight for justice are truly blessed, then Angela Bonavoglia must be nearing sainthood. In "Good Catholic Girls," she tells her own charged story and that of other faithful women who seek equality and reform from within the Catholic Church. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2242
Uncovering Gender: Nursing Shortage: It’s Also in Press and Other Media
by Sheila Gibbons
After a hospital stay deepened her appreciation of nurses, Sheila Gibbons looked into their low standing on popular TV shows and their absence as sources for news. Unless that changes, the nursing shortage, she says, will only worsen. The full article can be found at: http://www.womenenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2137
Commentoon by Ann Telnaes Women’s eNews Pulitzer-prize winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes is back! Check out this week’s Commentoon at: http://www.womensenews.org
Women’s eNews Special Report on Welfare by Jennifer Friedlin
This seven-part special report, featuring illustrations by Pulitzer prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes and photographer Amani Willett, is now available in PDF format for a $6 fee. The report details for the first time the outcomes of the 1996 welfare law through the viewpoint of single mothers. To find out more, go to http://womensenews.org/Welfare_More_Info.htm
About Women’s eNews
Women’s eNews is a prize-winning nonprofit news service supported by its readers and other donors. It is the definitive source of substantive news--unavailable anywhere else--covering issues of particular concern to women and their allies. Launched in 2000, the independent media outlet bridges the gender gap in news by covering issues of particular concern to women. Rita Henley Jensen is founder and editor in chief.
For more information or to inquire about subscribing, permissions to reprint or licensing arrangements, please contact Naomi Abraham at 212-244-1720 or send an e-mail to editors@womensenews.org. For interviews with Women’s eNews Editor in Chief Rita Henley Jensen, e-mail her at rita@womensenews.org or call 212-244-1720.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Naomi Abraham
212-244-1720
Women’s Hopes Restrained in Post-Election Iraq
April 17, 2005 — Female politicians and a secular Iraqi Kurd as interim president do not necessarily translate into more women’s rights in Iraq. At a women's shelter in Irbil, for instance, residents aren't expecting new protections from domestic violence.
In this week’s cover story, Women’s eNews, an independent nonprofit news service, reports on the current state of women’s rights in post-election Iraq. On April 3, in elections for Iraq's transitional national assembly, women won about 33 percent of the seats, exceeding the constitutionally required minimum of 25 percent. Although it may seem like a victory for Iraqi women, many doubt that the country's new national assembly, despite its high proportion of women, will do much to protect women against violence or help in advancing women’s rights. Instead they expect the government to be more focused on ethnic and religious politics in the coming year. Many Iraqi pro-women’s rights leaders complain that many of the elected female politicians, like some of their male counterparts, will be serving as loudspeakers for the political parties they represent.
Ala Talabani, who runs a non-governmental organization on women empowerment in Sulimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan, says part of the problem lies in the fact that the elections were not decided on the basis of issues or politics, but on ethnicity, religion, nationality. "Kurds voted for Kurds, Shiites for Shiites, Sunnis for Sunnis, Turkomen for Turkomen.”
The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/
Women’s eNews homepage also features:
Women in Chile Look Toward Rome with Apprehension by Jen Ross
As the world waits to hear who is chosen to lead the Catholic Church, women in Chile are divided on whether a new pope is likely to bring any change to the status of women in this deeply conservative and Catholic country. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2257
Pregnant Woman’s Right to Divorce Sparks Battle by Judith Spitzer
Washington State legislators voted to protect the divorce rights of pregnant women. The bill, which goes to the governor next month, was spurred by a judge's decision to revoke the divorce of a pregnant woman married to an abuser. The full article can be found at: http://womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2256
Tune In to Last Gasps of Patriarchy in Rome by Anne Eggebroten
Women are not among the cardinals, priests and choristers handling the papal transition. But Anne Eggebroten says the patriarchal show of force going on in Rome cannot stop the concerted upward push by women into church hierarchy. The full article can be found at: http://www.womenenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2255
Plan B Access Fight May Stall FDA Nomination by Cynthia L. Cooper
Access to Plan B is topic A these days, with the latest round of the struggle engulfing Lester Crawford, the FDA's acting commissioner. Until his agency rules on Plan B access, two senators vow to use procedural powers to block his nomination. The full article can be found at: http://www.womenenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2254
Germany in Angst over Low Birthrate by Emma Pearse
With the German birth rate at an all-time low, politicians and demographers are wondering how to encourage women to have babies. Some say more child care is the key. Second story on the European Union, women and work. The full article can be found at: http://www.womenenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2253
Cheers and Jeers: Pharmacist Penalized; Maloney Muzzled in House by Rasha Elass
Cheers--A pharmacist who refused to fill a birth control prescription was punished on Wednesday in Madison, Wisc., when the state Pharmacy Examining Board reprimanded him and limited his pharmacist license, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Jeers--To pave the way for easy passage of legislation that would make it harder for debtors to get a fresh financial start by filing for bankruptcy, House Republicans forbade lawmakers from offering amendments to the measure and allowed little time for debate. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/
Our Story: Colonial Daughter Rides to the Rescue by Louise Bernikow
On April 26, 1777 when 2000 “Redcoats” arrived in Danbury, Conn., Sybil Ludington rode frantically to Fredericksburg, N.Y. to alert her father, militia colonel Henry Ludington of the impending danger. Stick in hand, she beat the alarm on shuttered homes, covering 40 miles. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2241
Our Daily Lives: Taking the Gender Apartheid Tour in Saudi Arabia by Rita Henley Jensen
Women’s eNews Editor in Chief Rita Henley Jensen traveled to Saudi Arabia, to attend an economic forum. She was aware of the many restrictions on women, but once there, appreciated for the first time that the nation practiced gender apartheid. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2212
Journalist of the Month: Bonavoglia Takes On the Men in Skirts by Ann Farmer
If those who fight for justice are truly blessed, then Angela Bonavoglia must be nearing sainthood. In "Good Catholic Girls," she tells her own charged story and that of other faithful women who seek equality and reform from within the Catholic Church. The full article can be found at: http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2242
Uncovering Gender: Nursing Shortage: It’s Also in Press and Other Media
by Sheila Gibbons
After a hospital stay deepened her appreciation of nurses, Sheila Gibbons looked into their low standing on popular TV shows and their absence as sources for news. Unless that changes, the nursing shortage, she says, will only worsen. The full article can be found at: http://www.womenenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2137
Commentoon by Ann Telnaes Women’s eNews Pulitzer-prize winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes is back! Check out this week’s Commentoon at: http://www.womensenews.org
Women’s eNews Special Report on Welfare by Jennifer Friedlin
This seven-part special report, featuring illustrations by Pulitzer prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes and photographer Amani Willett, is now available in PDF format for a $6 fee. The report details for the first time the outcomes of the 1996 welfare law through the viewpoint of single mothers. To find out more, go to http://womensenews.org/Welfare_More_Info.htm
About Women’s eNews
Women’s eNews is a prize-winning nonprofit news service supported by its readers and other donors. It is the definitive source of substantive news--unavailable anywhere else--covering issues of particular concern to women and their allies. Launched in 2000, the independent media outlet bridges the gender gap in news by covering issues of particular concern to women. Rita Henley Jensen is founder and editor in chief.
For more information or to inquire about subscribing, permissions to reprint or licensing arrangements, please contact Naomi Abraham at 212-244-1720 or send an e-mail to editors@womensenews.org. For interviews with Women’s eNews Editor in Chief Rita Henley Jensen, e-mail her at rita@womensenews.org or call 212-244-1720.
Friday, April 15, 2005
New film screening -- Waitng for Quds April 19, Chicago
The Chicago International Documentary Festival is proud to present the poignant documentary WAITING FOR QUDS as part of the new program DocWorld@DocsPace!
Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 7.00pm
WAITING FOR QUDS
Devorah Blachor, Israel, 79 min.
The reality of coexistence for Jew and Arab, a life constantly invaded and divided by politics and war, is epitomized by the marriage of Abedal-Ahmar, a Palestinian Muslim raised in a West Bank refugee camp and Allegra Pacheco, an Israeli human rights lawyer from a middle-class New York Jewish home.
Filmmaker Devorah Blachor, Allegra’s cousin, chronicleshow Allegra and Abed bridged the enormous gaps of religion, culture and country to come together. The film follows Allegra before and after Abed is arrested during an Israeli army raid on Bethlehem, and then imprisonedas an administrative detainee without charge or trial.
At the time of thearrest, Allegra is five months pregnant. As Allegra goes through her pregnancy and fights to get her husband out of prison, the film goes backin time to examine their disparate childhoods. For Abed and Allegra, these differences of nationality, religion and culture are not as important as what binds them – love, a commitment to a better world for all, and their son Quds.
The film will be screened at the Gallery Theatre,
Society for Arts
1112 N. Milwaukee Ave., ChicagoTicket PricesAdult: $8.50Student/Senior rate: $7.00
For more information or tickets please visit www.chicagodocfestival.org
or call 773.486.9612
Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 7.00pm
WAITING FOR QUDS
Devorah Blachor, Israel, 79 min.
The reality of coexistence for Jew and Arab, a life constantly invaded and divided by politics and war, is epitomized by the marriage of Abedal-Ahmar, a Palestinian Muslim raised in a West Bank refugee camp and Allegra Pacheco, an Israeli human rights lawyer from a middle-class New York Jewish home.
Filmmaker Devorah Blachor, Allegra’s cousin, chronicleshow Allegra and Abed bridged the enormous gaps of religion, culture and country to come together. The film follows Allegra before and after Abed is arrested during an Israeli army raid on Bethlehem, and then imprisonedas an administrative detainee without charge or trial.
At the time of thearrest, Allegra is five months pregnant. As Allegra goes through her pregnancy and fights to get her husband out of prison, the film goes backin time to examine their disparate childhoods. For Abed and Allegra, these differences of nationality, religion and culture are not as important as what binds them – love, a commitment to a better world for all, and their son Quds.
The film will be screened at the Gallery Theatre,
Society for Arts
1112 N. Milwaukee Ave., ChicagoTicket PricesAdult: $8.50Student/Senior rate: $7.00
For more information or tickets please visit www.chicagodocfestival.org
or call 773.486.9612
Saudi Arabia kills wanted terrorists 4-15-05
Saudi Arabia in Focus
Weekly publication of the Information Office of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC
April 12, 2005
TERRORISM
THREE MOST-WANTED TERRORISTS KILLED
Saudi security forces have killed three more terrorists on the Kingdom’s list of 26 most-wanted that was issued in December 2003, bringing to 23 the total number of killed or captured. Two of them, Saud Homood Obaid Alqotaini Alotaibi (#20) and Kareem Altohami Almojati (#12), were killed during the three-day standoff that began on April 3 in the city of Ar-Rass, in Qasim Province. This incident resulted in a total of 15 killed, with five arrested and one surrendering. The third, Abdulrahman Mohammad Yazji (#24) was killed in Riyadh in a clash with a security patrol on April 6; a suspect with him was arrested. In all, over the four days, 16 militants were killed and 7 arrested. On April 9 the Interior Ministry published the names and brief bios of 11 of the dead and 3 of those in custody. [For this list, see the Embassy website, http://www.saudiembassy.net]
Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Sultan have both praised the prudence of the security officers in the Ar-Rass incident in giving priority to evacuating residents. There were no fatalities among the security officers, although at least ten were hospitalized. Seized in the Ar-Rass raid were quantities of weapons, explosives, and equipment, incriminating documents and cash.
CROWN PRINCE URGES FIGHT AGAINST DEVIANT IDEAS
Crown Prince Abdullah has called for measures to combat deviant ideas by carrying out cultural and educational programs that explain the true teachings of Islam and drive home the merits of moderation and tolerance, declaring that there can be no acceptance of any aberration of Islamic principles.
GOVERNMENT
SHURA COUNCIL EXPANDED TO 150 MEMBERS
Membership of the Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura) has been expanded from 120 to 150 in addition to the Chairman Dr. Salih bin Abdullah bin Homaid and Dr. Salih bin Abdullah bin Mansour Al-Malik as Secretary-General. On April 12, King Fahd swore in the members for the Council’s fourth four-year term. At the Council of Ministers meeting on April 11, Crown Prince Abdullah commended the achievements of the Shura Council, saying it has made effective decisions in the best interests of the homeland and its citizens.
ECONOMY
SAUDI STOCK MARKET’S TASI CONTINUES TO BREAK RECORDS
The Saudi stock market recorded an all-time high when the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) closed on April 7 at 11,694.84 points, a rise of 11.49 percent over the week before. The total value of shares exchanged amounted to over U.S.$22 billion, up $1 billion from last week.
SOCIAL
KING FAISAL INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2005 WINNERS HONORED
The awards ceremony for the winners of the 28th annual King Faisal International Prize was held on April 9. This year the prize for Arabic Language and Literature was withheld, none of the entries qualifying. The prize for Service to Islam was jointly awarded to Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ali, President of the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB), for his achievements in Islamic banking; and to the Al-Hariri Foundation of Lebanon for its promotion of Islamic education and culture.
The prize for Islamic Studies was awarded to Professor Carole Hillenbrand of the University of Edinburgh, for her clarification of misconceptions about the Crusades. The prize for Medicine went to Sir Richard Doll and Sir Richard Peto of the Clinical Trial Service Unit (CTSU) at Oxford University, for their research linking tobacco with various diseases; and that for Science was jointly shared by Professors Federico Capasso and Frank Wilczek of the United States, and Anton Zeilinger of Austria, for their work in the field of physics.
[For details, see King Faisal Foundation website www.kff.com.]
* * *
This is distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
Weekly publication of the Information Office of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC
April 12, 2005
TERRORISM
THREE MOST-WANTED TERRORISTS KILLED
Saudi security forces have killed three more terrorists on the Kingdom’s list of 26 most-wanted that was issued in December 2003, bringing to 23 the total number of killed or captured. Two of them, Saud Homood Obaid Alqotaini Alotaibi (#20) and Kareem Altohami Almojati (#12), were killed during the three-day standoff that began on April 3 in the city of Ar-Rass, in Qasim Province. This incident resulted in a total of 15 killed, with five arrested and one surrendering. The third, Abdulrahman Mohammad Yazji (#24) was killed in Riyadh in a clash with a security patrol on April 6; a suspect with him was arrested. In all, over the four days, 16 militants were killed and 7 arrested. On April 9 the Interior Ministry published the names and brief bios of 11 of the dead and 3 of those in custody. [For this list, see the Embassy website, http://www.saudiembassy.net]
Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Sultan have both praised the prudence of the security officers in the Ar-Rass incident in giving priority to evacuating residents. There were no fatalities among the security officers, although at least ten were hospitalized. Seized in the Ar-Rass raid were quantities of weapons, explosives, and equipment, incriminating documents and cash.
CROWN PRINCE URGES FIGHT AGAINST DEVIANT IDEAS
Crown Prince Abdullah has called for measures to combat deviant ideas by carrying out cultural and educational programs that explain the true teachings of Islam and drive home the merits of moderation and tolerance, declaring that there can be no acceptance of any aberration of Islamic principles.
GOVERNMENT
SHURA COUNCIL EXPANDED TO 150 MEMBERS
Membership of the Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura) has been expanded from 120 to 150 in addition to the Chairman Dr. Salih bin Abdullah bin Homaid and Dr. Salih bin Abdullah bin Mansour Al-Malik as Secretary-General. On April 12, King Fahd swore in the members for the Council’s fourth four-year term. At the Council of Ministers meeting on April 11, Crown Prince Abdullah commended the achievements of the Shura Council, saying it has made effective decisions in the best interests of the homeland and its citizens.
ECONOMY
SAUDI STOCK MARKET’S TASI CONTINUES TO BREAK RECORDS
The Saudi stock market recorded an all-time high when the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) closed on April 7 at 11,694.84 points, a rise of 11.49 percent over the week before. The total value of shares exchanged amounted to over U.S.$22 billion, up $1 billion from last week.
SOCIAL
KING FAISAL INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2005 WINNERS HONORED
The awards ceremony for the winners of the 28th annual King Faisal International Prize was held on April 9. This year the prize for Arabic Language and Literature was withheld, none of the entries qualifying. The prize for Service to Islam was jointly awarded to Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ali, President of the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB), for his achievements in Islamic banking; and to the Al-Hariri Foundation of Lebanon for its promotion of Islamic education and culture.
The prize for Islamic Studies was awarded to Professor Carole Hillenbrand of the University of Edinburgh, for her clarification of misconceptions about the Crusades. The prize for Medicine went to Sir Richard Doll and Sir Richard Peto of the Clinical Trial Service Unit (CTSU) at Oxford University, for their research linking tobacco with various diseases; and that for Science was jointly shared by Professors Federico Capasso and Frank Wilczek of the United States, and Anton Zeilinger of Austria, for their work in the field of physics.
[For details, see King Faisal Foundation website www.kff.com.]
* * *
This is distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
Friday, April 08, 2005
New book on Arab Voices by Samar Dahmash-Jarrah
Samar Dahmash-Jarrah, a Palestinian American, has just published the new book "Arab Voices Speak to American Hearts" due out the first week of May 2005. Self published
Ms. Jarrah is from Port Charlotte, Fl.
BOOK ABSTRACT
In the aftermath of the tragedy of 9/11, journalist, teacher, and peaceadvocate Samar Dahmash-Jarrah found herself called upon by her small Floridacommunity, as well as impelled from within, to dispel stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims. After three years of speaking to audiences of up to 800 Americans-in churches, at events of professional associations and otherorganizations, and at peace rallies-Ms. Jarrah had a vision. If governmentswould do nothing to combat misunderstanding between Americans and Arabs,then she would open a direct dialogue between these peoples.
Thus, Arab Voices Speak to American Hearts was conceived. But how? A second inspiration prompted Ms. Jarrah to email friends and professional contactsin the U.S. and assemble over 100 questions that Americans wanted to ask Arabs and Muslims. A naturalized American citizen herself since 1994, Jarrah then spent the months of September and October 2004 in Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait asking these questions.
The remarkable result is found in these pages. Important themes recur throughout the 12 interviews. First, most of those interviewed liked Americans-some even had relatives married to Americans. Many of thoseinterviewed had studied in America and admired Americans as a friendly and enterprising people. Most of these also admired the American form of government.Yet nearly all of the interviewees disliked American polices toward the Middle East, especially those of the Bush administration, as well as long-standing American foreign policy toward the problem of Palestine. These two issues, along with the Iraqi war, mostly angered the Arab men and women interviewed. Yet, viewpoints varied. Some thought that American efforts to bring democracy to the Middle East were good, while others said that democracy in Arab countries could only come from within. Some thought thatAmerican troops should remain in Iraq and some did not. One theme flows throughout the book-all those interviewed were delighted to be asked todescribe their lives and views to Americans-and to ask similar questions ofAmericans.
Thus, Arab Voices Speak to American Hearts provides a cross-section of Arab society in thought-as well as in gender, age, and even religion. Of the 4 women and 8 men who speak in the book, ages range from 19 to 66, and 9 are Muslim and 3 Christian. The interviews were conducted randomly. All but one are "average" ordinary citizens, although most are well-educated. One is a well-known woman film director.
Jarrah's follow-up to Arab Voices Speak will be a book based on thequestions that her Arabic interviewees and others in the Arab world wanted to ask the American people directly.
Ms. Jarrah also has several otherbooks planned.
For more information please visit www.ArabVoicesSpeak.com
Ms. Jarrah is from Port Charlotte, Fl.
BOOK ABSTRACT
In the aftermath of the tragedy of 9/11, journalist, teacher, and peaceadvocate Samar Dahmash-Jarrah found herself called upon by her small Floridacommunity, as well as impelled from within, to dispel stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims. After three years of speaking to audiences of up to 800 Americans-in churches, at events of professional associations and otherorganizations, and at peace rallies-Ms. Jarrah had a vision. If governmentswould do nothing to combat misunderstanding between Americans and Arabs,then she would open a direct dialogue between these peoples.
Thus, Arab Voices Speak to American Hearts was conceived. But how? A second inspiration prompted Ms. Jarrah to email friends and professional contactsin the U.S. and assemble over 100 questions that Americans wanted to ask Arabs and Muslims. A naturalized American citizen herself since 1994, Jarrah then spent the months of September and October 2004 in Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait asking these questions.
The remarkable result is found in these pages. Important themes recur throughout the 12 interviews. First, most of those interviewed liked Americans-some even had relatives married to Americans. Many of thoseinterviewed had studied in America and admired Americans as a friendly and enterprising people. Most of these also admired the American form of government.Yet nearly all of the interviewees disliked American polices toward the Middle East, especially those of the Bush administration, as well as long-standing American foreign policy toward the problem of Palestine. These two issues, along with the Iraqi war, mostly angered the Arab men and women interviewed. Yet, viewpoints varied. Some thought that American efforts to bring democracy to the Middle East were good, while others said that democracy in Arab countries could only come from within. Some thought thatAmerican troops should remain in Iraq and some did not. One theme flows throughout the book-all those interviewed were delighted to be asked todescribe their lives and views to Americans-and to ask similar questions ofAmericans.
Thus, Arab Voices Speak to American Hearts provides a cross-section of Arab society in thought-as well as in gender, age, and even religion. Of the 4 women and 8 men who speak in the book, ages range from 19 to 66, and 9 are Muslim and 3 Christian. The interviews were conducted randomly. All but one are "average" ordinary citizens, although most are well-educated. One is a well-known woman film director.
Jarrah's follow-up to Arab Voices Speak will be a book based on thequestions that her Arabic interviewees and others in the Arab world wanted to ask the American people directly.
Ms. Jarrah also has several otherbooks planned.
For more information please visit www.ArabVoicesSpeak.com
Racist threats against Chicago Arab family
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEIL MUSLIM FAMILY RECEIVES RACIST DEATH THREATS
FBI probes caller who threatens to kill 'f**king Arab' family
(CHICAGO, IL, 4/8/05) - The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today reported that the FBI is investigating a number of racist phone threats made against a Chicago Ridge Muslim family.
CAIR-Chicago said the victim told police that, beginning in March, she received several phone calls from an identified man threatening to kill her and her baby son if the family does not move away from the neighborhood."I know who you are, if you do not move away from my neighborhood within a month I will shoot you and kill you and your son," said the caller, who is thought to be a neighbor living close enough to see who is in the house.
The caller's most recent death threat came on the cell phone of the mother, telling her that she is a "f**king Arab" and that he will not call again, but will kill her and her son if they do not move away within two weeks. (The Muslim mother is Hispanic. Her husband is of Middle Eastern origin.) Local law enforcement authorities and the FBI have been contacted about the case."It is important for all people of conscience to speak out against the growing anti-Muslim rhetoric in America that leads to discrimination, threats and even violence," said CAIR-Chicago Communications Director Ahmed Rehab.
Rehab noted that a Chicago-area Muslim family recently filed a civil rights lawsuit against a man who blew up their van with an explosive device. The same man was convicted of throwing a brick through the window of an Arab-owned business two days after the 9/11 attacks.
"We applaud the swift and professional response of local FBI officials to this and other anti-Muslim incidents in our area," said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Yaser Tabbara.Tabbara said CAIR publishes a "Muslim Community Safety Kit" for American Muslims, Arab-Americans and those perceived to be "Middle Eastern" who may face religious or ethnic profiling and hate crimes. The safety kit may be obtained free of charge by e-mailing pubs@cair-net.org.
(Include name, address and phone number when requesting the safety kit.)CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
FBI probes caller who threatens to kill 'f**king Arab' family
(CHICAGO, IL, 4/8/05) - The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today reported that the FBI is investigating a number of racist phone threats made against a Chicago Ridge Muslim family.
CAIR-Chicago said the victim told police that, beginning in March, she received several phone calls from an identified man threatening to kill her and her baby son if the family does not move away from the neighborhood."I know who you are, if you do not move away from my neighborhood within a month I will shoot you and kill you and your son," said the caller, who is thought to be a neighbor living close enough to see who is in the house.
The caller's most recent death threat came on the cell phone of the mother, telling her that she is a "f**king Arab" and that he will not call again, but will kill her and her son if they do not move away within two weeks. (The Muslim mother is Hispanic. Her husband is of Middle Eastern origin.) Local law enforcement authorities and the FBI have been contacted about the case."It is important for all people of conscience to speak out against the growing anti-Muslim rhetoric in America that leads to discrimination, threats and even violence," said CAIR-Chicago Communications Director Ahmed Rehab.
Rehab noted that a Chicago-area Muslim family recently filed a civil rights lawsuit against a man who blew up their van with an explosive device. The same man was convicted of throwing a brick through the window of an Arab-owned business two days after the 9/11 attacks.
"We applaud the swift and professional response of local FBI officials to this and other anti-Muslim incidents in our area," said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Yaser Tabbara.Tabbara said CAIR publishes a "Muslim Community Safety Kit" for American Muslims, Arab-Americans and those perceived to be "Middle Eastern" who may face religious or ethnic profiling and hate crimes. The safety kit may be obtained free of charge by e-mailing pubs@cair-net.org.
(Include name, address and phone number when requesting the safety kit.)CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to:
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
- END -
MEDIA ADVISORYDELEGATION OF MID EAST RELIGIOUS, ACADEMIC LEADERS AIM TO SHOW AMERICANSA DIFFERENT VIEW OF MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN RELATIONS IN REGION: A POSITIVE ONENEW YORK
Thurs April 7
A delegation of Christian and Muslim academic,religious and policy leaders from four countries will visit cities acrossthe U.S. this month (Thurs April 14 Sat April 30), hoping to counterprevailing American stereotypes of Muslims and Arabs as invariably pittedagainst Christians in a "clash of civilizations."Co-hosted by the Church World Service (CWS) Middle East Forum, the eightChristian, Muslim and Druze delegates from Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine andSyria will travel in teams to hold dialogue and make presentations incongregational, academic and public policy settings in cities including:o Chicago (Thurs April 14 Mon April 18)o Charlotte (Tues April 19 Wed April 20)o New York (Thurs April 21 Wed April 27)o Washington, D.C (Thurs April 28 Sat April 30)
"Our desire for this visit is to demonstrate to American Christians andMuslims that there is an alternative reality existing in the Middle Eastthat demonstrates positive, vital models of cooperation between Christiansand Muslims," says Rev. Dr. Riad Jarjour, General Secretary of the ArabGroup for Christian Muslim Dialogue, based in Beirut, Lebanon.David Weaver is director of global humanitarian agency Church WorldService¹s Mission Relationships and Witness Program and a founding member ofCWS¹s Middle East Forum. Weaver says, "Religious and civil society leadersof both faiths in the Middle East and U.S. are concerned about thepersistent images of religious conflict to which the American public isconstantly exposed, particularly since September 11 and the Iraq conflict."What is less visible," Weaver says, "are the efforts by Christians andMuslims to address jointly the many issues that confront them in thisturbulent period."Weaver says the delegates from Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Palestine willtravel in two groups of four, concurrently visiting scheduled majormetropolitan areas to engage in dialogues in local Christian, Arab Christian and Muslim communities, with seminary students and facultyand other communitygroups. They will reconvene in Washington, D.C. for a consultation at theCenter for Christian- Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University, a discussion at the National Baptist Church and other events.The delegation six men and two women brings together academicians, policyanalysts, peace advocates and religious leaders from the Middle East,including:
Abbas al-Halabi, a Lebanese Druze, President of the Arab Group forChristian-Muslim Dialogue, a legal advisor to the board of the Bank ofBeirut & The Arab Countries, a former Supreme Court Judge and author ofnumerous articles on reconciliation, civil peace and money launderingMuhammad Sammak, a Lebanese Muslim, former advisor to the late PrimeMinister Mr. Rafic Hariri, an advisor to the Grand Mufti of Lebanon,Secretary General of The Christian-Muslim Committee for Dialogue, TheIslamic Permanent Committee, and The Executive Committee of TheChristian-Muslim Arab Group, a member of the Lebanese Press Syndicate, andauthor of more than 20 booksRev. Dr. Riad Jarjour, a Syrian Christian, General Secretary, Arab Group forChristian Muslim Dialogue, former General Secretary of the Middle EastCouncil of Churches (MECC), and organizer of the 1996 Muslim-ChristianConference on Jerusalem held in BeirutDr. Mahdi Abd al-Hadi, a Palestinian Muslim, author of The Question ofPalestine and Peaceful Solutions, founder of the Arab Thought Forum, formerSecretary General of the Council for Higher Education in the West Bank, andfounder of the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of InternationalAffairsDr. Antoine Messara, a Lebanese Christian, professor at the LebaneseUniversity Department of Communication, General Director of The Foundationof the Lebanese Association for Permanent Civil Peace in Lebanon, andfounder of the Foundation of the Lebanese Association for Permanent CivilPeace in Lebanon that brought Christians and Muslims together duringLebanon¹s civil warDr. Nadia Mahmoud Mustafa, an Egyptian Muslim, professor in the politicalscience department and on the faculty of economics and political science atCairo University, and author of numerous books including Strategy of theIslamic Cultural Activity in the West.Samir Morcos, an Egyptian Christian, former Associate General Secretary ofthe Middle East Council of Churches, a consultant for the Coptic Center for Social Studies, Al Fustat Center for Studies and Consultations, and for The Unit forCitizenship and Dialogue in Cairo, and author of numerous books ondevelopment, including The State of Civil Society in Egypt: PreliminaryObservations and Future PossibilitiesAbbas al-Halabi, President of the Arab Group for Christian-Muslim Dialogue,says the April delegation has been in the planning stages for the past twoyears. "Especially after the events of September 11, we were deeplyconcerned about the misunderstandings and lack of knowledge about our regionthat existed in the Western countries, especially in the U.S.
"We felt we could not leave people by themselves to sort it out, with nodiscussion," al-Halabi said.
"We hoped then as we do now, with thisdelegation to build bridges, to have someone listen to our point of view."We didn¹t want Americans to think that all in the Middle East areextremists and hate all Americans."Al-Halabi says the delegates also "want to inform Americans about the commonlives shared by Christians and Muslims in our region. Christianity has beenin the Middle East for centuries," he says,"and Christians have been living and working with Muslims for a thousandyears not without problems," he added, "because there is friction withplurality but also with harmony, because we share the same values andtraditions."
CWS¹s Weaver says the idea for the interfaith delegation was "inspired bythe combined interests of the mission directors from CWS memberdenominations who have ministries in the Middle East.""From the American public and interfaith leaders we meet, we hope to takeback to the Middle East messages of understanding and shared resolves," adds al-Halabi.
Jarjour said the delegation and its hosts believe that "fostering betterChristian-Muslim relations in the U.S. and offering a better understandingof the good Christian-Muslim relations that do exist in the Middle Eastwill support more positive models for peace elsewhere in the region andglobally."
The Arab Group for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, formed in 1995, has members from Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, the Sudan and the GulfEmirates. The Arab Group affirms "unity and the common heritage of Muslims and Christians," supports "dealing with internal issues through thecollaborative efforts of Arab nationals - Muslims and Christians - whobelong together to the one homeland."A faith based relief and development agency that focuses on advocacy issues,Church World Service is funded in part by and is a ministry of 36 memberdenominations in the U.S. CWS has supported humanitarian interfaithinitiatives and has provided emergency relief and development programs inthe Middle East, including aid to victims of pre-and post-war Iraq and the2004 Bam, Iran, earthquake, support for a community-based program in OldCairo Egypt addressing child labor issues, and for the Ahli Arab HospitalMobile Outreach Clinic Program in Gaza.The Church World Service Middle East Forum is one of five regional forumsestablished by the global humanitarian agency to address issues of commonconcern to its member denominations. The Middle East Forum supports itsmember communions (denominations) and related partners through sharedinformation and expertise, coordinated joint action, and recommendedhumanitarian and related faith-based policy. ###
CONTACTS:For National, Charlotte, New York & Washington:Ann Walle/CWS/New York, (212) 870-2654, awalle@churchworldservice.orgJan Dragin/New York/Boston 24/7, (781) 925-1526, jdragin@gis.netFor Charloitte only: Rev. David Jordan, Providence Baptist Church, (704)366-2784, cell phone:(704) 301 5594For Chicago only:Connie Baker, (630) 834 1461, BakerCE@aol.com
Thurs April 7
A delegation of Christian and Muslim academic,religious and policy leaders from four countries will visit cities acrossthe U.S. this month (Thurs April 14 Sat April 30), hoping to counterprevailing American stereotypes of Muslims and Arabs as invariably pittedagainst Christians in a "clash of civilizations."Co-hosted by the Church World Service (CWS) Middle East Forum, the eightChristian, Muslim and Druze delegates from Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine andSyria will travel in teams to hold dialogue and make presentations incongregational, academic and public policy settings in cities including:o Chicago (Thurs April 14 Mon April 18)o Charlotte (Tues April 19 Wed April 20)o New York (Thurs April 21 Wed April 27)o Washington, D.C (Thurs April 28 Sat April 30)
"Our desire for this visit is to demonstrate to American Christians andMuslims that there is an alternative reality existing in the Middle Eastthat demonstrates positive, vital models of cooperation between Christiansand Muslims," says Rev. Dr. Riad Jarjour, General Secretary of the ArabGroup for Christian Muslim Dialogue, based in Beirut, Lebanon.David Weaver is director of global humanitarian agency Church WorldService¹s Mission Relationships and Witness Program and a founding member ofCWS¹s Middle East Forum. Weaver says, "Religious and civil society leadersof both faiths in the Middle East and U.S. are concerned about thepersistent images of religious conflict to which the American public isconstantly exposed, particularly since September 11 and the Iraq conflict."What is less visible," Weaver says, "are the efforts by Christians andMuslims to address jointly the many issues that confront them in thisturbulent period."Weaver says the delegates from Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Palestine willtravel in two groups of four, concurrently visiting scheduled majormetropolitan areas to engage in dialogues in local Christian, Arab Christian and Muslim communities, with seminary students and facultyand other communitygroups. They will reconvene in Washington, D.C. for a consultation at theCenter for Christian- Muslim Understanding at Georgetown University, a discussion at the National Baptist Church and other events.The delegation six men and two women brings together academicians, policyanalysts, peace advocates and religious leaders from the Middle East,including:
Abbas al-Halabi, a Lebanese Druze, President of the Arab Group forChristian-Muslim Dialogue, a legal advisor to the board of the Bank ofBeirut & The Arab Countries, a former Supreme Court Judge and author ofnumerous articles on reconciliation, civil peace and money launderingMuhammad Sammak, a Lebanese Muslim, former advisor to the late PrimeMinister Mr. Rafic Hariri, an advisor to the Grand Mufti of Lebanon,Secretary General of The Christian-Muslim Committee for Dialogue, TheIslamic Permanent Committee, and The Executive Committee of TheChristian-Muslim Arab Group, a member of the Lebanese Press Syndicate, andauthor of more than 20 booksRev. Dr. Riad Jarjour, a Syrian Christian, General Secretary, Arab Group forChristian Muslim Dialogue, former General Secretary of the Middle EastCouncil of Churches (MECC), and organizer of the 1996 Muslim-ChristianConference on Jerusalem held in BeirutDr. Mahdi Abd al-Hadi, a Palestinian Muslim, author of The Question ofPalestine and Peaceful Solutions, founder of the Arab Thought Forum, formerSecretary General of the Council for Higher Education in the West Bank, andfounder of the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of InternationalAffairsDr. Antoine Messara, a Lebanese Christian, professor at the LebaneseUniversity Department of Communication, General Director of The Foundationof the Lebanese Association for Permanent Civil Peace in Lebanon, andfounder of the Foundation of the Lebanese Association for Permanent CivilPeace in Lebanon that brought Christians and Muslims together duringLebanon¹s civil warDr. Nadia Mahmoud Mustafa, an Egyptian Muslim, professor in the politicalscience department and on the faculty of economics and political science atCairo University, and author of numerous books including Strategy of theIslamic Cultural Activity in the West.Samir Morcos, an Egyptian Christian, former Associate General Secretary ofthe Middle East Council of Churches, a consultant for the Coptic Center for Social Studies, Al Fustat Center for Studies and Consultations, and for The Unit forCitizenship and Dialogue in Cairo, and author of numerous books ondevelopment, including The State of Civil Society in Egypt: PreliminaryObservations and Future PossibilitiesAbbas al-Halabi, President of the Arab Group for Christian-Muslim Dialogue,says the April delegation has been in the planning stages for the past twoyears. "Especially after the events of September 11, we were deeplyconcerned about the misunderstandings and lack of knowledge about our regionthat existed in the Western countries, especially in the U.S.
"We felt we could not leave people by themselves to sort it out, with nodiscussion," al-Halabi said.
"We hoped then as we do now, with thisdelegation to build bridges, to have someone listen to our point of view."We didn¹t want Americans to think that all in the Middle East areextremists and hate all Americans."Al-Halabi says the delegates also "want to inform Americans about the commonlives shared by Christians and Muslims in our region. Christianity has beenin the Middle East for centuries," he says,"and Christians have been living and working with Muslims for a thousandyears not without problems," he added, "because there is friction withplurality but also with harmony, because we share the same values andtraditions."
CWS¹s Weaver says the idea for the interfaith delegation was "inspired bythe combined interests of the mission directors from CWS memberdenominations who have ministries in the Middle East.""From the American public and interfaith leaders we meet, we hope to takeback to the Middle East messages of understanding and shared resolves," adds al-Halabi.
Jarjour said the delegation and its hosts believe that "fostering betterChristian-Muslim relations in the U.S. and offering a better understandingof the good Christian-Muslim relations that do exist in the Middle Eastwill support more positive models for peace elsewhere in the region andglobally."
The Arab Group for Christian-Muslim Dialogue, formed in 1995, has members from Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, the Sudan and the GulfEmirates. The Arab Group affirms "unity and the common heritage of Muslims and Christians," supports "dealing with internal issues through thecollaborative efforts of Arab nationals - Muslims and Christians - whobelong together to the one homeland."A faith based relief and development agency that focuses on advocacy issues,Church World Service is funded in part by and is a ministry of 36 memberdenominations in the U.S. CWS has supported humanitarian interfaithinitiatives and has provided emergency relief and development programs inthe Middle East, including aid to victims of pre-and post-war Iraq and the2004 Bam, Iran, earthquake, support for a community-based program in OldCairo Egypt addressing child labor issues, and for the Ahli Arab HospitalMobile Outreach Clinic Program in Gaza.The Church World Service Middle East Forum is one of five regional forumsestablished by the global humanitarian agency to address issues of commonconcern to its member denominations. The Middle East Forum supports itsmember communions (denominations) and related partners through sharedinformation and expertise, coordinated joint action, and recommendedhumanitarian and related faith-based policy. ###
CONTACTS:For National, Charlotte, New York & Washington:Ann Walle/CWS/New York, (212) 870-2654, awalle@churchworldservice.orgJan Dragin/New York/Boston 24/7, (781) 925-1526, jdragin@gis.netFor Charloitte only: Rev. David Jordan, Providence Baptist Church, (704)366-2784, cell phone:(704) 301 5594For Chicago only:Connie Baker, (630) 834 1461, BakerCE@aol.com
Chicago Christian-Muslim Dialogue Group event April 20
Christian Muslim Dialogue Group is planning a lecture on April 20, 2005 at
7:00 p.m. at Trinity Christian College
6601 West College Drive
Palos Heights, IL
Title: Archeological Excavations at Dothan and the Northern West Bank
4000 B.C. to 1200 A.D.
Presentation by Wheaten College Professors John Monsoon and Edwin HollatzI already spoke to Shaft for our chapter to cosponsor this event and the following one:
Oslo Accord and the Current Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
Ms. Deborah Horan
Chicago Tribune Reporter
May 3, 2005, 11:00 a.m.
Moraine Valley College
10900 S. 88th Avenue
Palos Hills, IL 60465
7:00 p.m. at Trinity Christian College
6601 West College Drive
Palos Heights, IL
Title: Archeological Excavations at Dothan and the Northern West Bank
4000 B.C. to 1200 A.D.
Presentation by Wheaten College Professors John Monsoon and Edwin HollatzI already spoke to Shaft for our chapter to cosponsor this event and the following one:
Oslo Accord and the Current Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
Ms. Deborah Horan
Chicago Tribune Reporter
May 3, 2005, 11:00 a.m.
Moraine Valley College
10900 S. 88th Avenue
Palos Hills, IL 60465
Rally against terrorism set in Washington DC MAY 14, 2005 Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism
Rally for Elimination of Terror and for Freedom & Democracy
Something wonderful is happening in Washington, DC. On May 14, several groups made up of Arab, Iranians, Kurds, Assyrians, Lebanese, Palestinians, Syrians, Sudanese, Muslims, Christians and Jews will converge on our nation=92s Capital for a rally against terrorism and to support freedom and democracy in the Middle East and the Muslim world.
This will be the first rally of its kind in Washington DC that is led by Muslims and Middle Easterners.Please join us and help us send a message of hope to the people of the Middle East who seek freedom, democracy and the elimination of extremism and terrorism.
This rally is NOT limited to Muslims and Middle Easterners. We request anyone and everyone who supports our message to join us at the rally. We want to send a message to the extremists and terrorists that American Muslims, Christians, Jews and people of all faiths are united in the goal of building a better world.
We welcome all endorsers and we ask that you circulate this message to as many groups and people as possible. Help us make history.To sponsor this rally, please send the name of your group to the Free Muslims Against Terrorism. President@freemuslims.org
Location of the rally:Freedom PlazaNeighborhood: DowntownAddress: Pennsylvania Ave. between 13th & 14th Street, NW
Metro: Federal TriangleDate & Time: Saturday, May 14th 2005 1-5 pm
Free Muslims Against Terrorismwww.freemuslims.org202-776-7190
For more information, visit or website at www.freemuslims.org
Something wonderful is happening in Washington, DC. On May 14, several groups made up of Arab, Iranians, Kurds, Assyrians, Lebanese, Palestinians, Syrians, Sudanese, Muslims, Christians and Jews will converge on our nation=92s Capital for a rally against terrorism and to support freedom and democracy in the Middle East and the Muslim world.
This will be the first rally of its kind in Washington DC that is led by Muslims and Middle Easterners.Please join us and help us send a message of hope to the people of the Middle East who seek freedom, democracy and the elimination of extremism and terrorism.
This rally is NOT limited to Muslims and Middle Easterners. We request anyone and everyone who supports our message to join us at the rally. We want to send a message to the extremists and terrorists that American Muslims, Christians, Jews and people of all faiths are united in the goal of building a better world.
We welcome all endorsers and we ask that you circulate this message to as many groups and people as possible. Help us make history.To sponsor this rally, please send the name of your group to the Free Muslims Against Terrorism. President@freemuslims.org
Location of the rally:Freedom PlazaNeighborhood: DowntownAddress: Pennsylvania Ave. between 13th & 14th Street, NW
Metro: Federal TriangleDate & Time: Saturday, May 14th 2005 1-5 pm
Free Muslims Against Terrorismwww.freemuslims.org202-776-7190
For more information, visit or website at www.freemuslims.org
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Palestine-Israel Peace discussion -- Chicago April 15
Yalla Salam! (Palestinians for Peace Now) and the Southwest Arab Coalition are proud to host an upcoming discussion addressing the future of peace and various peace plans including the Geneva Accords
The event is Friday, April 15 beginning at 6:30 PM. The location is Al Basha Restaurant, formerly the Little Egypt Restaurant), 7216 W. College Dr. (about 119th and South Harlem Avenue) in Palos Heights, IL. The phone number of the restaurant is 708-671-1440
There is no charge for the event. Guests are encouraged to order food and refreshments individually from the menu provided by the restaurant.
The guest speakers are Daniel Levy, an Israeli involved with the Geneva Initiative Office (co-partners in drafting the Geneva Accord principles) and Rafi Dajani, executive director/media relations officer for the American Task Force on Palestine based in Washington D.C. Mr. Levy and Mr. Dajani will discuss the progress towards peace, current challenges facing peace between Palestinians and Israelis, the Geneva Accords, and will take questions from the audience.
The visit by Mr. Levy and Mr. Dajani is being sponsored by Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, the Jewish Peace Alliance, and also by local activists and members of the Chicago Chapter of the National Arab American Journalists Association (NAAJA).
We welcome any additional groups that would like to be co-sponsors and supporters. The public is invited.
For more information, contact
Ray Hanania, NAAJA
rayhanania@aol.com
PLEASE DISTIRBUTE WIDELY
The event is Friday, April 15 beginning at 6:30 PM. The location is Al Basha Restaurant, formerly the Little Egypt Restaurant), 7216 W. College Dr. (about 119th and South Harlem Avenue) in Palos Heights, IL. The phone number of the restaurant is 708-671-1440
There is no charge for the event. Guests are encouraged to order food and refreshments individually from the menu provided by the restaurant.
The guest speakers are Daniel Levy, an Israeli involved with the Geneva Initiative Office (co-partners in drafting the Geneva Accord principles) and Rafi Dajani, executive director/media relations officer for the American Task Force on Palestine based in Washington D.C. Mr. Levy and Mr. Dajani will discuss the progress towards peace, current challenges facing peace between Palestinians and Israelis, the Geneva Accords, and will take questions from the audience.
The visit by Mr. Levy and Mr. Dajani is being sponsored by Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, the Jewish Peace Alliance, and also by local activists and members of the Chicago Chapter of the National Arab American Journalists Association (NAAJA).
We welcome any additional groups that would like to be co-sponsors and supporters. The public is invited.
For more information, contact
Ray Hanania, NAAJA
rayhanania@aol.com
PLEASE DISTIRBUTE WIDELY
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