URGENT ALERT FROM THE ARAB AMERICAN INSTITUTE
This is not the work we normally do, but we were so upset by these two stories that we felt we had to act.
This week added insult to injury:
1) Insult
Dunkin Donuts ran an ad with Rachael Ray (America's favorite 30-minute cook)...Yes, that's a kaffiyeh!
We take delight in the way the kaffiyeh, a traditional peasant head covering, has become a fashionable part of U.S. pop culture. And here it was in a Dunkin Donuts ad!
But not so fast, said Michelle Malkin - a far right buffoon who often utters anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiments. Malkin accused Dunkin Donuts of failing to recognize that the kaffiyeh "symbolizes murderous Palestinian jihad" and is "a regular adornment of Muslim terrorists appearing in beheading and hostage-taking videos."
Instead of weathering the silly dust-up, Dunkin Donuts folded and pulled the ad.
We cannot tolerate a situation where Michelle Malkin defines what is culturally acceptable, in effect becoming the P.C. Czarina of the far right.
Tell Dunkin Donuts to reinstate the online ad, and let them know that they should not be bullied by petty bloggers. Make your voice heard.
The head of marketing at Dunkin Donuts is Frances Allen; her e-mail address is frances.allen@dunkinbrands.com
The Dunkin Donuts Customer Care service line: (800) 859-5339. Be patient calling this number, it takes some time to get through. You can e-mail your concerns to customerservice@dunkinbrands.com or send a letter to:
Dunkin' Donuts Public Relations Department130 Royall StreetCanton, MA 02021Tel: 781.737.5200
2) Injury
Much more seriously, and even less explicably, as The New York Times and AP reported today, eight Palestinians in Gaza have lost their Fulbright scholarships.
Why?
Because the Israeli government would not let them out of Gaza, and the U.S. government never lifted a finger to help resolve the situation - and that is the most shameful aspect of the whole affair. U.S. silence.
Born of the same type of anti-Arab bias that fuels attacks on kaffiyehs in ads, this time it frustrated the purpose of one of the most prestigious U.S. public diplomacy programs, U.S. efforts to promote peace and build Palestinian civil institutions, and shattered the dreams of eight promising young people - people who are exactly what U.S. policy depends on. "I was building my hope on this scholarship," says one disappointed young woman who, according to the article in the New York Times, voluntarily remained in Gaza even as her family fled.This outrage should not be allowed to stand.
The Fulbright program provides life-changing opportunities for young men and women all over the world. Palestinians should not be denied the right to participate in this because of Israeli obstructionism, and the U.S. should not be silent in the face of this Israeli behavior.
Let the responsible parties know that you insist that the Fulbright scholarships be reinstated, and that Israel be pressed to allow the awardees to travel:
Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board ChairMs. Shirley Moore Green202.453.8189greenm@state.gov
Office of Israel and Palestinian AffairsPolitical Affairs OfficeMatthew Rosenstock(202) 647-1481rosentstockms@state.gov
Deputy Secretary of State for Visa ServicesStephen A. "Tony" Edson(202) 647-9584tonye@state.gov
This email was sent to: rayhanania@comcast.netTo unsubscribe, go to: http://www.aaiusa.org/unsubscribe/membersArab American Institute1600 K Street, NW Suite 601Washington, DC 20006www.aaiusa.org
Friday, May 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Iran sentences two Kurdish journalists to death
Kurdish activists Hiwa Butimar and Adnan Hasanpoor have had their appeals rejected and have been sentenced to death by Iran’s Revolutionary Court, the Iranian Minorities’ Human Rights Organisation (IMHRO) reported on April 18, 2008.
Sources:Iranian Minorities’ Human Rights Organisation (IMHRO)Defend InternationalTwo Kurdish journalists and activists, Hiwa Butimar (29) and Adnan Hasanpoor (27), have been sentenced to death by branch number one of the Revolutionary Court in Mariwan city, for a second time. They were found guilty of ‘moharebe’ (taking up arms against the Islamic state) and espionage.
NAAJA urges Iran to revoke the death sentences and to release the two men. We also urge Iran to remove censorship and restrictions on the Iranian media and call for more openness and freedom of speech for all Iranians.
For more information on Butimar and Hasanpoor, visit: www.MidEastYouth.com.
NAAJA
Sources:Iranian Minorities’ Human Rights Organisation (IMHRO)Defend InternationalTwo Kurdish journalists and activists, Hiwa Butimar (29) and Adnan Hasanpoor (27), have been sentenced to death by branch number one of the Revolutionary Court in Mariwan city, for a second time. They were found guilty of ‘moharebe’ (taking up arms against the Islamic state) and espionage.
NAAJA urges Iran to revoke the death sentences and to release the two men. We also urge Iran to remove censorship and restrictions on the Iranian media and call for more openness and freedom of speech for all Iranians.
For more information on Butimar and Hasanpoor, visit: www.MidEastYouth.com.
NAAJA
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Politics played in war-related contract corruption cases
Playing politics with alleged abuses in war-linked contracts
By Ray Hanania
As the public demands answers to why billions of dollars in war related contracts have been abused and mismanaged, the response from the Bush administration has been to target individual employees and ignore the clout heavy corporations themselves.
Several individual employees mostly tied to Halliburton and a sub-contractor, Kellogg Brown & Root Inc., (KBR), have been indicted, charged and convicted of corruption.
Halliburton and KBR, on the other hand, remain the Bush administrations most favored contractors, even though they have admitted to under-balling cost estimates and despite the unending circus of alleged corruption in their rank and file management. Why?
Halliburton was run by Dick Cheney before he became vice president. Many believe Cheney will benefit from the war profiteering from Halliburton’s success when Cheney retires from in January.
All of the corruption cases bristle with questions of political hypocrisy involving American foreign policy, double standards in selective prosecutions, and the apparently intentional snubbing of Federal Laws by the prosecutor.
Some of those charged appear to be political targets and scapegoats targeted to take pressure off Halliburton and KBR. If these cases are so important, why are they being handled out of the low-visibility courtrooms of Springfield, Illinois rather than on a high profile stage in Washington D.C.?
Later this month, one of the indictees will be brought to trial, not in Washington DC, but in Springfield. Jeff Mazon, a former KBR employee, is accused of defrauding the U.S. Government of $3.5 million.
The second indictee is Ali Hijazi, who legally is out of reach of American prosecution.
The Mazon and Hijazi indictments were politically timed, announced two days before the two year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. The indictments were announced March 17, 2005 by then U.S. Attorney Jan Paul Miller of the Central Illinois District. A Bush appointee, Miller joined a prestigious law firm a few months later and was replaced by Rodger Heaton.
Hijazi is a Lebanese citizen living in Kuwait. Although American law does not allow prosecutors even in downstate markets to prosecute foreign citizens living in foreign countries, Miller has refused to drop the indictment, as is common practice. The prosecution is a violation of Federal Law. There is no extradition agreement.
Three years later, Hijazi lives in a virtual imprisonment, according to filings by his Washington DC attorneys. Hijazi’s life and reputation have been nearly destroyed and his travel rights have been restricted.
There have been numerous examples of wasteful spending by employees of Halliburton, yet Halliburton continues to enjoy billions more in American military contracts. Headlines, like those generated by the case against Mazon and Hijazi, give the public the false impression that war related corruption is aggressively being pursued.
And there is so much more.
In other Halliburton/KBR related cases, many people have pled guilty and pointed fingers at others, including, allegedly, at individuals at First Kuwaiti General Trading & Contracting. But there hasn’t been followup.
First Kuwaiti has clout and was awarded the contract to build the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The embassy promises to be one of the most expensive ($592 million) and most fortified American embassy in the world.
In September 2007, the Associated Press reported the director of First Kuwaiti, Wadih al-Absi, also a manager for KBR, was named in grand jury testimony by another former KBR manager, Anthony J. Martin. Martin pled guilty in July to taking kickbacks in 2003 and is a witness against Mazon. Al-Absi has not been charged with any crimes and First Kuwaiti is continuing with the embassy contract.
Luck, not justice, spared First Kuwaiti.
According to the AP story, "Although the government has tried to keep First Kuwaiti's name out of public records related to Martin's case, details from his grand jury testimony were found by a defense lawyer, J. Scott Arthur of Orland Park, Ill., who included a summary in a six-page document filed last Friday in an unrelated federal court case in Rock Island, Ill. The AP downloaded a copy of the document from the court's Web site shortly before a judge ordered the document sealed and removed from the public record."
AP reported Martin told the grand jury he engaged in the kickback scheme with al-Absi. First Kuwaiti is not accused of any crimes and details of individuals involved in corruption remain under seal. Although several congressmen have already challenged millions of dollars in cost overruns in the project, First Kuwaiti officials told AP "Martin's allegations are ‘without merit’."
Some observers believe that politics is behind the embassy contract. Is the Bush Administration concerned about what Hijazi may or may not know about cost overruns and other criticism involving the new embassy?
We’ll never know these answers even if Mazon’s trial proceeds.
But what we will have are headlines that give the public the false impression that there is a serious focused effort by the Bush administration to reign in corruption and wasteful spending on war related contracts.
What we won’t have, though, is an end to the corruption. That may have to wait until Bush and Cheney finally leave office and a new prosecutor takes over.
But, can the American taxpayers afford it?
(Ray Hanania is an award winning columnist, author and Chicago radio talk show host. He can be reached at www.RadioChicagoland.com.)
By Ray Hanania
As the public demands answers to why billions of dollars in war related contracts have been abused and mismanaged, the response from the Bush administration has been to target individual employees and ignore the clout heavy corporations themselves.
Several individual employees mostly tied to Halliburton and a sub-contractor, Kellogg Brown & Root Inc., (KBR), have been indicted, charged and convicted of corruption.
Halliburton and KBR, on the other hand, remain the Bush administrations most favored contractors, even though they have admitted to under-balling cost estimates and despite the unending circus of alleged corruption in their rank and file management. Why?
Halliburton was run by Dick Cheney before he became vice president. Many believe Cheney will benefit from the war profiteering from Halliburton’s success when Cheney retires from in January.
All of the corruption cases bristle with questions of political hypocrisy involving American foreign policy, double standards in selective prosecutions, and the apparently intentional snubbing of Federal Laws by the prosecutor.
Some of those charged appear to be political targets and scapegoats targeted to take pressure off Halliburton and KBR. If these cases are so important, why are they being handled out of the low-visibility courtrooms of Springfield, Illinois rather than on a high profile stage in Washington D.C.?
Later this month, one of the indictees will be brought to trial, not in Washington DC, but in Springfield. Jeff Mazon, a former KBR employee, is accused of defrauding the U.S. Government of $3.5 million.
The second indictee is Ali Hijazi, who legally is out of reach of American prosecution.
The Mazon and Hijazi indictments were politically timed, announced two days before the two year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. The indictments were announced March 17, 2005 by then U.S. Attorney Jan Paul Miller of the Central Illinois District. A Bush appointee, Miller joined a prestigious law firm a few months later and was replaced by Rodger Heaton.
Hijazi is a Lebanese citizen living in Kuwait. Although American law does not allow prosecutors even in downstate markets to prosecute foreign citizens living in foreign countries, Miller has refused to drop the indictment, as is common practice. The prosecution is a violation of Federal Law. There is no extradition agreement.
Three years later, Hijazi lives in a virtual imprisonment, according to filings by his Washington DC attorneys. Hijazi’s life and reputation have been nearly destroyed and his travel rights have been restricted.
There have been numerous examples of wasteful spending by employees of Halliburton, yet Halliburton continues to enjoy billions more in American military contracts. Headlines, like those generated by the case against Mazon and Hijazi, give the public the false impression that war related corruption is aggressively being pursued.
And there is so much more.
In other Halliburton/KBR related cases, many people have pled guilty and pointed fingers at others, including, allegedly, at individuals at First Kuwaiti General Trading & Contracting. But there hasn’t been followup.
First Kuwaiti has clout and was awarded the contract to build the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The embassy promises to be one of the most expensive ($592 million) and most fortified American embassy in the world.
In September 2007, the Associated Press reported the director of First Kuwaiti, Wadih al-Absi, also a manager for KBR, was named in grand jury testimony by another former KBR manager, Anthony J. Martin. Martin pled guilty in July to taking kickbacks in 2003 and is a witness against Mazon. Al-Absi has not been charged with any crimes and First Kuwaiti is continuing with the embassy contract.
Luck, not justice, spared First Kuwaiti.
According to the AP story, "Although the government has tried to keep First Kuwaiti's name out of public records related to Martin's case, details from his grand jury testimony were found by a defense lawyer, J. Scott Arthur of Orland Park, Ill., who included a summary in a six-page document filed last Friday in an unrelated federal court case in Rock Island, Ill. The AP downloaded a copy of the document from the court's Web site shortly before a judge ordered the document sealed and removed from the public record."
AP reported Martin told the grand jury he engaged in the kickback scheme with al-Absi. First Kuwaiti is not accused of any crimes and details of individuals involved in corruption remain under seal. Although several congressmen have already challenged millions of dollars in cost overruns in the project, First Kuwaiti officials told AP "Martin's allegations are ‘without merit’."
Some observers believe that politics is behind the embassy contract. Is the Bush Administration concerned about what Hijazi may or may not know about cost overruns and other criticism involving the new embassy?
We’ll never know these answers even if Mazon’s trial proceeds.
But what we will have are headlines that give the public the false impression that there is a serious focused effort by the Bush administration to reign in corruption and wasteful spending on war related contracts.
What we won’t have, though, is an end to the corruption. That may have to wait until Bush and Cheney finally leave office and a new prosecutor takes over.
But, can the American taxpayers afford it?
(Ray Hanania is an award winning columnist, author and Chicago radio talk show host. He can be reached at www.RadioChicagoland.com.)
Monday, March 17, 2008
Vermont Academy offers scholarships to Arab students seeking to improve Arabic language skills
The Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy is offering scholarships to students of Arabic heritage who want to continue and improve their knowledge of Arabic. We offer a four-week, residential, Arabic immersion summer camp in Vermont or California. See the MMLA website http://www.mmla.middlebury.edu
David Toomey
___________________
David C. Toomey, Ph.D.
Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy
72 South Main Street, Suite 350
White River Junction, VT 0500
1802.296.2459
www.mmla@middlebury.edu
mmla.info@middlebury.edu
David Toomey
___________________
David C. Toomey, Ph.D.
Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy
72 South Main Street, Suite 350
White River Junction, VT 0500
1802.296.2459
www.mmla@middlebury.edu
mmla.info@middlebury.edu
Sunday, March 16, 2008
AAI offers internships for summer 2008
Want to be part of the most exciting election of today's generation?
The Arab American Institute is pleased to announce our 2008 summer/fall paid Field Organizing Internships. This is a great opportunity for rising juniors, seniors, grad students or recent graduates who are interested in community organizing and voter mobilization. Interns will be provided with extensive preparation and guidance during an all-expenses-paid training in Washington, DC at the end of May and will be a part of AAI's "Our Voice. Our Future: Yalla Vote 2008" campaign. Positions are available in six states: New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, California and Florida. Interns will gain a full understanding of the Arab American community and will have invaluable experience with ethnic outreach. The experience--exposure, networking with other field organizers, and planning political events--will prepare interns for work in almost any sector!
If you are interested, or you know a passionate politico in the making, please get in touch or forward this announcement on to a prospective intern.
For more information on the internships and how to apply, please visit:
http://www.aaiusa.org/foundation/154/student-resource-center Applications are due by April 16, 2008. Have you signed the Yalla Vote 2008 National Petition yet? Sign the Arab American petition online and make your voice heard this election year. We will deliver the petition and accompanying signatures to the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees at their parties' nominating conventions at the end of the summer.
Sign online:http://www.aaiusa.org/page/s/YallaVote2008Pet
The Arab American Institute is pleased to announce our 2008 summer/fall paid Field Organizing Internships. This is a great opportunity for rising juniors, seniors, grad students or recent graduates who are interested in community organizing and voter mobilization. Interns will be provided with extensive preparation and guidance during an all-expenses-paid training in Washington, DC at the end of May and will be a part of AAI's "Our Voice. Our Future: Yalla Vote 2008" campaign. Positions are available in six states: New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, California and Florida. Interns will gain a full understanding of the Arab American community and will have invaluable experience with ethnic outreach. The experience--exposure, networking with other field organizers, and planning political events--will prepare interns for work in almost any sector!
If you are interested, or you know a passionate politico in the making, please get in touch or forward this announcement on to a prospective intern.
For more information on the internships and how to apply, please visit:
http://www.aaiusa.org/foundation/154/student-resource-center Applications are due by April 16, 2008. Have you signed the Yalla Vote 2008 National Petition yet? Sign the Arab American petition online and make your voice heard this election year. We will deliver the petition and accompanying signatures to the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees at their parties' nominating conventions at the end of the summer.
Sign online:http://www.aaiusa.org/page/s/YallaVote2008Pet
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
ALO Hayati Magazine now offered on major airlines
ALO® MAGAZINE lifts
off with major Airlines
Amercia’s top Middle Eastern lifestyle magazine strikes a deal with Airlines bringing readership to 1.2 million!
Northridge, CALIFORNIA – March 10, 2008 – ALO magazine, the top magazine connecting cultures from East to West through lifestyle living, has proudly formed an alliance with two major airlines bringing its readership to 1.2 million.
A breakthrough publication in cultural unity, diversity, and understanding, ALO takes charge of advancing its mission through a new distribution agreement with Delta Airlines and Kuwait Airways, in New York, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC airports. This expansion brings ALO into VIP club rooms, shuttle services and on board international major airlines.
“Our international and national outreach is rewarding each day as we continue our mission of delivering the highest standards of publishing for Middle Eastern Americans.” says Wafa Kanan, publisher. “We are pleased with this airlines distribution as it confirms the needs and stamps the vision of cultural understanding in corporate America. Pioneering in ethnic marketing, we see even greater distribution is on the horizon.”
Delta Air Lines operates worldwide destinations and is the leader across the Atlantic, Latin America and the Caribbean while Kuwait Airways has proven itself all over the world by not limiting itself to the Middle East and covering the missing links in the Middle East that other international airlines often do not cover.
Now with an accrued readership of 1.2 million, ALO is gaining an increased level of awareness, broadening its reach to all existing forms of lifestyles across cultures and communities.
About ALO Hayati magazine
As America’s Top Middle Eastern Lifestyle magazine, ALO is an indispensable lifestyle guide, cultural reference and source of entertainment for a highly influential audience. ALO attracts elite lifestyle enthusiasts who want to expand, explore and experience the richness of the Middle Eastern culture.
With an insider's eye toward the unique aspects of this dynamic and diverse worldwide community, we cover the finest it has to offer in the worlds of heritage, beauty, culture, social issues, dining, art, entertainment, fashion, interior design, nightlife, philanthropy, business, sports and travel.
ALO is available by subscription, at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores nationwide and published by Unique Image, Inc.
off with major Airlines
Amercia’s top Middle Eastern lifestyle magazine strikes a deal with Airlines bringing readership to 1.2 million!
Northridge, CALIFORNIA – March 10, 2008 – ALO magazine, the top magazine connecting cultures from East to West through lifestyle living, has proudly formed an alliance with two major airlines bringing its readership to 1.2 million.
A breakthrough publication in cultural unity, diversity, and understanding, ALO takes charge of advancing its mission through a new distribution agreement with Delta Airlines and Kuwait Airways, in New York, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC airports. This expansion brings ALO into VIP club rooms, shuttle services and on board international major airlines.
“Our international and national outreach is rewarding each day as we continue our mission of delivering the highest standards of publishing for Middle Eastern Americans.” says Wafa Kanan, publisher. “We are pleased with this airlines distribution as it confirms the needs and stamps the vision of cultural understanding in corporate America. Pioneering in ethnic marketing, we see even greater distribution is on the horizon.”
Delta Air Lines operates worldwide destinations and is the leader across the Atlantic, Latin America and the Caribbean while Kuwait Airways has proven itself all over the world by not limiting itself to the Middle East and covering the missing links in the Middle East that other international airlines often do not cover.
Now with an accrued readership of 1.2 million, ALO is gaining an increased level of awareness, broadening its reach to all existing forms of lifestyles across cultures and communities.
About ALO Hayati magazine
As America’s Top Middle Eastern Lifestyle magazine, ALO is an indispensable lifestyle guide, cultural reference and source of entertainment for a highly influential audience. ALO attracts elite lifestyle enthusiasts who want to expand, explore and experience the richness of the Middle Eastern culture.
With an insider's eye toward the unique aspects of this dynamic and diverse worldwide community, we cover the finest it has to offer in the worlds of heritage, beauty, culture, social issues, dining, art, entertainment, fashion, interior design, nightlife, philanthropy, business, sports and travel.
ALO is available by subscription, at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores nationwide and published by Unique Image, Inc.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Censure Congressman Steve King over hateful anti-Muslim/Obama comments
Don't Let Congressman Steve King Off the Hook--Call Your Member of Congress and Ask for a Formal Censure
Last Friday, Iowa Congressman Steve King (R) told the Daily Reporter in Spencer, Iowa, "The radical Islamists, the al-Qaida ... would be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on Sept. 11 because they would declare victory in this war on terror" if Barack Obama were elected president. He added, "His middle name does matter. It matters because they read a meaning into that."
Do not let Congressman King--Ranking Member of House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law--off the hook for making these bigoted and inflammatory statements! Call your member of Congress and express your belief that King should be formally censured by Congress. Click here to visit the AAI website and find out who your representative is, and how to contact him or her.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper if you believe that King should not be awarded a pass by his colleagues, given his stature and the nature of his rhetoric. Click here to read the initial Associated Press story on King's comments.
If you need help taking action, please contact Leigh O'Neill, AAI Government Relations and Policy Analyst, at 202-429-9210.
Join AAI President James Zogby's eloquent call for action on the Huffington Post (below) and King's formal censure by Congress:Congress Should Censure Representative Steve King
Congressman Steve King's (R-IA) comments regarding the "joy" that a Barack Obama presidency would bring to "radical Islamists" are despicable, but they do not stand alone in two important respects. On the one hand, they echo outrageous comments that have become commonplace among right-wing commentators and radio talk show hosts. More disturbingly, they reflect a pattern of bizarre comments made by Congressman King on too many instances in the past.
King once dismissed the shameful horrors of Abu Ghraib as mere "hazing;" he advocated treating "illegals" like "livestock;" and even once denounced efforts to give revolutionary war hero General Pulaski posthumous citizenship as being akin to "amnesty."
Some have called for King to apologize, and others have called for Senator McCain to repudiate his views. These should be done, but they are not enough. This situation should be seen as being beyond partisanship and politics.
King is not merely some quack with a loose and tasteless mouth, venting his venom on a radio show, he is the Ranking Member of House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law. His words matter.If a member of parliament in a foreign country were to have made equally despicable and bigoted comments, we would be right to demand that action be taken against that individual. King must be held accountable by his colleagues for his remarks, which send a dangerous message to the world. He should be formally censured by the Congress, so as to make it clear that remarks such as these are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Last Friday, Iowa Congressman Steve King (R) told the Daily Reporter in Spencer, Iowa, "The radical Islamists, the al-Qaida ... would be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on Sept. 11 because they would declare victory in this war on terror" if Barack Obama were elected president. He added, "His middle name does matter. It matters because they read a meaning into that."
Do not let Congressman King--Ranking Member of House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law--off the hook for making these bigoted and inflammatory statements! Call your member of Congress and express your belief that King should be formally censured by Congress. Click here to visit the AAI website and find out who your representative is, and how to contact him or her.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper if you believe that King should not be awarded a pass by his colleagues, given his stature and the nature of his rhetoric. Click here to read the initial Associated Press story on King's comments.
If you need help taking action, please contact Leigh O'Neill, AAI Government Relations and Policy Analyst, at 202-429-9210.
Join AAI President James Zogby's eloquent call for action on the Huffington Post (below) and King's formal censure by Congress:Congress Should Censure Representative Steve King
Congressman Steve King's (R-IA) comments regarding the "joy" that a Barack Obama presidency would bring to "radical Islamists" are despicable, but they do not stand alone in two important respects. On the one hand, they echo outrageous comments that have become commonplace among right-wing commentators and radio talk show hosts. More disturbingly, they reflect a pattern of bizarre comments made by Congressman King on too many instances in the past.
King once dismissed the shameful horrors of Abu Ghraib as mere "hazing;" he advocated treating "illegals" like "livestock;" and even once denounced efforts to give revolutionary war hero General Pulaski posthumous citizenship as being akin to "amnesty."
Some have called for King to apologize, and others have called for Senator McCain to repudiate his views. These should be done, but they are not enough. This situation should be seen as being beyond partisanship and politics.
King is not merely some quack with a loose and tasteless mouth, venting his venom on a radio show, he is the Ranking Member of House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law. His words matter.If a member of parliament in a foreign country were to have made equally despicable and bigoted comments, we would be right to demand that action be taken against that individual. King must be held accountable by his colleagues for his remarks, which send a dangerous message to the world. He should be formally censured by the Congress, so as to make it clear that remarks such as these are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Monday, March 10, 2008
AAI Condemns Congressman's Anti-Muslim Remarks, Calls on Congressional Leaders to Censure Rep. King
AAI Condemns Congressman's Anti-Muslim Remarks, Calls on Congressional Leaders to Censure Rep. King
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDirector of Communications: Christina Zola, 202-429-9210, ext. 21 or 202-494-9859
AAI Condemns Congressman's Anti-Muslim Remarks, Calls on Congressional Leaders to Censure Rep. KingWASHINGTON - March 10, 2008 - The Arab American Institute (AAI) condemns remarks made by Congressman Steve King (R-IA) linking Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) to al-Qaeda and Islamist extremism and suggesting that the senator's election as U.S. President would jeopardize national security. AAI calls on Congressional leadership to formally censure these comments. AAI is deeply troubled that Senator Obama's name continues to raise suspicions about his religious affiliation and is especially concerned about how commonplace and acceptable it has become to defame and degrade Islam. Any notion that questions the fitness of any loyal American to elected office because of race or religion is unacceptable and must be addressed.
Congressman Steve King (R-IA) said this weekend that "if [Obama] is elected president, then the radical Islamists and their supporters will be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11 because they will declare victory in this War on Terror." The congressman went on to say that "[Obama's] middle name does matter...because they read a meaning into that in the rest of the world...They will be dancing in the streets because of his middle name [and] because of who his father was and because of his posture that says: pull out of the Middle East and pull out of this conflict." These disparaging and dishonest comments by Congressman King only demonstrate how anti-Muslim rhetoric and general Islamophobia have come to be accepted in our national discourse since September 11, 2001.
"We believe that Congressman King's comments and behavior go beyond politics and partisanship and must be addressed by Congress as a whole," said AAI President Dr. James Zogby. "It is outrageous when a radio talk show host spews such venom, but it is much worse and sends a dangerous message when such statements come from the ranking Republican member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law. He must be held accountable by his colleagues."
Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community activities.
For more information on AAI, please visit www.aaiusa.org.
1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601 Washington, DC 20006
phone (202) 429-9210 fax (202) 429-9214
http://www.aaiusa.org aai@aaiusa.org
http://www.aaiusa.org/unsubscribe/media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDirector of Communications: Christina Zola, 202-429-9210, ext. 21 or 202-494-9859
AAI Condemns Congressman's Anti-Muslim Remarks, Calls on Congressional Leaders to Censure Rep. KingWASHINGTON - March 10, 2008 - The Arab American Institute (AAI) condemns remarks made by Congressman Steve King (R-IA) linking Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) to al-Qaeda and Islamist extremism and suggesting that the senator's election as U.S. President would jeopardize national security. AAI calls on Congressional leadership to formally censure these comments. AAI is deeply troubled that Senator Obama's name continues to raise suspicions about his religious affiliation and is especially concerned about how commonplace and acceptable it has become to defame and degrade Islam. Any notion that questions the fitness of any loyal American to elected office because of race or religion is unacceptable and must be addressed.
Congressman Steve King (R-IA) said this weekend that "if [Obama] is elected president, then the radical Islamists and their supporters will be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11 because they will declare victory in this War on Terror." The congressman went on to say that "[Obama's] middle name does matter...because they read a meaning into that in the rest of the world...They will be dancing in the streets because of his middle name [and] because of who his father was and because of his posture that says: pull out of the Middle East and pull out of this conflict." These disparaging and dishonest comments by Congressman King only demonstrate how anti-Muslim rhetoric and general Islamophobia have come to be accepted in our national discourse since September 11, 2001.
"We believe that Congressman King's comments and behavior go beyond politics and partisanship and must be addressed by Congress as a whole," said AAI President Dr. James Zogby. "It is outrageous when a radio talk show host spews such venom, but it is much worse and sends a dangerous message when such statements come from the ranking Republican member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law. He must be held accountable by his colleagues."
Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community activities.
For more information on AAI, please visit www.aaiusa.org.
1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601 Washington, DC 20006
phone (202) 429-9210 fax (202) 429-9214
http://www.aaiusa.org aai@aaiusa.org
http://www.aaiusa.org/unsubscribe/media
Thursday, February 14, 2008
NPR radio seeks interns
Chicago Public Radio is seeking journalism interns for spring and summer terms. Internships are three or six months depending on your area of focus. You will work closely with reporters and producers to cover a wide range of local issues: from Art’s and culture, religion, urban issues, and city politics with hands on experience in a major market news room. Internships are open to juniors, seniors, grad students and recent alumni. Print backgrounds welcome.
Visit www.chicagopublicradio.org/internships for more info.
Visit www.chicagopublicradio.org/internships for more info.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Israel Supreme Court endorses violations of international law in Gaza Strip
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
30 January 2008
In response to Supreme Court’s rejection of petition against fuel and electricity cuts:
Gisha and Adalah: “This decision sets a dangerous legal precedent that allows Israel to continue to violate the rights of Palestinians in Gaza and deprive them of basic humanitarian needs, in violation of international law.”
Today, 30 January 2008, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected a petition by ten Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations to stop Israel from cutting supplies of fuel and electricity to the Gaza Strip, as part of a governmental decision authorizing punitive measures against the population of Gaza. The petitioners had argued that cutting fuel and electricity supplies constitutes forbidden collective punishment and violates the prohibition in international law against deliberately targeting civilians. The fuel cuts, which have forced Gaza’s only power plant to reduce production of electricity, have severely disrupted the functioning of vital humanitarian services, including hospitals, water wells, and sewage pumps.
The court’s decision allows the state to proceed with its plan to cut electricity sold to Gaza directly by Israel’s Electric Company from 7 February 2008. Gaza is already experiencing a 20% electricity deficit, which is forcing rolling blackouts in hospitals and other vital humanitarian institutions. The petitioners submitted extensive documentation showing that cuts in supplies of electricity and the industrial diesel needed to produce electricity will necessarily mean longer and more frequent power outages across Gaza, from which vital humanitarian institutions will not be spared.
At the last hearing held on Sunday, 27 January 2008, utility officials from Gaza were prevented from attending the hearing, in violation of the state’s commitment to the court. The state offered oral testimony by a military official, unsubstantiated by affidavit as required, claiming that the cuts would not harm humanitarian needs.
According to Sari Bashi, Director of Gisha: “This is an unprecedented decision authorizing collective punishment in its most blatant form. The court ruling relies on unsubstantiated declarations by the military and ignores the indisputable and well-documented evidence of harm to civilians caused by the fuel and electricity cuts – with no legally valid justification.”
According to Hassan Jabareen, General Director of Adalah: “According to the Supreme Court’s decision, it is permitted to harm Palestinian civilians and create a humanitarian crisis for political reasons. This constitutes a war crime under international criminal law.”
For more information: Noga Eitan, Gisha spokeswoman: 0547-533644, Sari Bashi, Gisha Director, 054-8172103; Adalah Attorney Fatmeh El-’Ajou: 050-907-2729; Rina Rosenberg, International Media, Adalah: 052-849-8807, or 04-950-1610, ext. 118.
Background
Currently, the Gaza Strip is suffering from a 20% deficit in electricity. During the winter, the demand for electricity in the Gaza Strip is approximately 240 mega-watts or more per day, depending on the weather. Currently, Gaza is receiving 120 mega-watts sold by Israel and 17 megawatts supplied by Egypt to Rafah. Gaza’s power plant is able to produce 80 megawatts per day, but the restrictions imposed on the supply of industrial diesel sold to Gaza limits the power plant to generating just 55 megawatts. As a result, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) is unable to provide the electricity needed to operate hospitals, water pumps and schools, and so institutes rolling blackouts across main lines. Some humanitarian institutions have back-up generators, but the restrictions on the supply of diesel have disrupted the operation of the generators, too.
Israel controls Gaza’s borders and does not allow Gazans to purchase fuel except via Israeli-controlled crossings.
The petition was submitted on 28 October 2007, the day that Israel cut supplies of petrol (benzene), diesel, and industrial diesel to Gaza. Residents of Gaza purchase fuel from an Israeli company and receive it via Israeli-controlled crossings.
A prior decision of the Supreme Court temporarily prevented Israel from cutting supplies of electricity sold to Gaza by Israel’s Electric Company. Today’s court decision allows the direct electricity cuts to be implemented on 7 February 2008.
The organizations which petitioned the Supreme Court are:
Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel
Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement
HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights-Gaza
The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
Al–Haq
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
-- Julia FitzpatrickHuman Rights Advocacy FellowAdalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in IsraelP.O. Box 510Shafa'amr 20200, IsraelTel: +972-4-950-1610 ext. 117Fax: +972-4-950-3140E-mail: julia@adalah.org
www.adalah.org/eng/index.php
PRESS RELEASE
30 January 2008
In response to Supreme Court’s rejection of petition against fuel and electricity cuts:
Gisha and Adalah: “This decision sets a dangerous legal precedent that allows Israel to continue to violate the rights of Palestinians in Gaza and deprive them of basic humanitarian needs, in violation of international law.”
Today, 30 January 2008, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected a petition by ten Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations to stop Israel from cutting supplies of fuel and electricity to the Gaza Strip, as part of a governmental decision authorizing punitive measures against the population of Gaza. The petitioners had argued that cutting fuel and electricity supplies constitutes forbidden collective punishment and violates the prohibition in international law against deliberately targeting civilians. The fuel cuts, which have forced Gaza’s only power plant to reduce production of electricity, have severely disrupted the functioning of vital humanitarian services, including hospitals, water wells, and sewage pumps.
The court’s decision allows the state to proceed with its plan to cut electricity sold to Gaza directly by Israel’s Electric Company from 7 February 2008. Gaza is already experiencing a 20% electricity deficit, which is forcing rolling blackouts in hospitals and other vital humanitarian institutions. The petitioners submitted extensive documentation showing that cuts in supplies of electricity and the industrial diesel needed to produce electricity will necessarily mean longer and more frequent power outages across Gaza, from which vital humanitarian institutions will not be spared.
At the last hearing held on Sunday, 27 January 2008, utility officials from Gaza were prevented from attending the hearing, in violation of the state’s commitment to the court. The state offered oral testimony by a military official, unsubstantiated by affidavit as required, claiming that the cuts would not harm humanitarian needs.
According to Sari Bashi, Director of Gisha: “This is an unprecedented decision authorizing collective punishment in its most blatant form. The court ruling relies on unsubstantiated declarations by the military and ignores the indisputable and well-documented evidence of harm to civilians caused by the fuel and electricity cuts – with no legally valid justification.”
According to Hassan Jabareen, General Director of Adalah: “According to the Supreme Court’s decision, it is permitted to harm Palestinian civilians and create a humanitarian crisis for political reasons. This constitutes a war crime under international criminal law.”
For more information: Noga Eitan, Gisha spokeswoman: 0547-533644, Sari Bashi, Gisha Director, 054-8172103; Adalah Attorney Fatmeh El-’Ajou: 050-907-2729; Rina Rosenberg, International Media, Adalah: 052-849-8807, or 04-950-1610, ext. 118.
Background
Currently, the Gaza Strip is suffering from a 20% deficit in electricity. During the winter, the demand for electricity in the Gaza Strip is approximately 240 mega-watts or more per day, depending on the weather. Currently, Gaza is receiving 120 mega-watts sold by Israel and 17 megawatts supplied by Egypt to Rafah. Gaza’s power plant is able to produce 80 megawatts per day, but the restrictions imposed on the supply of industrial diesel sold to Gaza limits the power plant to generating just 55 megawatts. As a result, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) is unable to provide the electricity needed to operate hospitals, water pumps and schools, and so institutes rolling blackouts across main lines. Some humanitarian institutions have back-up generators, but the restrictions on the supply of diesel have disrupted the operation of the generators, too.
Israel controls Gaza’s borders and does not allow Gazans to purchase fuel except via Israeli-controlled crossings.
The petition was submitted on 28 October 2007, the day that Israel cut supplies of petrol (benzene), diesel, and industrial diesel to Gaza. Residents of Gaza purchase fuel from an Israeli company and receive it via Israeli-controlled crossings.
A prior decision of the Supreme Court temporarily prevented Israel from cutting supplies of electricity sold to Gaza by Israel’s Electric Company. Today’s court decision allows the direct electricity cuts to be implemented on 7 February 2008.
The organizations which petitioned the Supreme Court are:
Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel
Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement
HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights-Gaza
The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
Al–Haq
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
-- Julia FitzpatrickHuman Rights Advocacy FellowAdalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in IsraelP.O. Box 510Shafa'amr 20200, IsraelTel: +972-4-950-1610 ext. 117Fax: +972-4-950-3140E-mail: julia@adalah.org
www.adalah.org/eng/index.php
Chicago Area Arab American business leaders profiled
Big Dreams Turning Into Big Realities
Four Chicago based businessmen doing their part to change Chicago
Chicago is a big city with big dreams and its residents are turning their dreams into reality everyday. These four Arab-American businessmen are of the top business men in the country. What do they all have in common? They are changing the world as we know it with their relentless motivation and drive.
Talat M. Othman- Mr. Talat Othman is the President of Arab-American Business & Professional Association in Chicago. The AABPA is a non-profit, cooperative, voluntary-joined organization of business and professional Arab-Americans, organized to assist its members in dealing with mutual business and professional concerns. The purpose of the Association is to promote the common interests of the Arab-American Business and Professional community. Both Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich serve as Honorary Chairman in this association.
Ahmed Abdelaziz- After his hard work and perseverance, Ahmed Abdelaziz is now the successful owner and CEO of Omarica Builders, Inc. After coming to the US in 1980, Ahmed worked his way in the hotel business in Chicago and Boston to the management level before establishing his presence on Wall Street in 1987. After trading for several firms in the financial markets, he decided to diversify his experience by going into real estate development. His solid success in this field led him to expand his contracting services to the public sector. With Ahmed’s his extraordinary talents as a real-estate developer Omarica not only designs and builds dream homes for his clients but has also branched out into hotel renovations, including prominent, upscale hotels across the nation.
Dr. Naser Rustom- Beginning as just a family practitioner Dr. Naser Rustom has come along way to be one of the most prominent and successful businessmen in the Chicagoland area. Dr. Rustom not only has expanded his practice into several offices across the city, but also has three full diagnostic facilities and a surgical center all to provide the top medical care to Chicagoans. However, his day does not end there; instead Dr. Rustom goes to his other, more entertaining business venture, Alhambra Palace Restaurant in which he recently spent several million dollars building. There Dr. Rustom provides an authentic cultural getaway featuring Moroccan cuisine and his hand-picked array of live entertainment including belly dancing, flamenco, salsa and jazz.
Ali Al-Arabi- As the President of Vanguards for Human Rights and Freedom Mr. Ali Al-Arabi organizes meetings to address issues of bigotry and discrimination between victims, support groups and government agencies. Al-Arabi organized the meeting with Mayor McLaughlin and Police Chief McCarthy and the mayor vowed to create several community liaisons to address Arab American concerns.
For media inquiries please contact:
Lina Khalil
Account Executive
Empower PR
O: 312.255.4017
C: 312.479.2162
Lkhalil@Empowerpr.com
Four Chicago based businessmen doing their part to change Chicago
Chicago is a big city with big dreams and its residents are turning their dreams into reality everyday. These four Arab-American businessmen are of the top business men in the country. What do they all have in common? They are changing the world as we know it with their relentless motivation and drive.
Talat M. Othman- Mr. Talat Othman is the President of Arab-American Business & Professional Association in Chicago. The AABPA is a non-profit, cooperative, voluntary-joined organization of business and professional Arab-Americans, organized to assist its members in dealing with mutual business and professional concerns. The purpose of the Association is to promote the common interests of the Arab-American Business and Professional community. Both Mayor Daley and Governor Blagojevich serve as Honorary Chairman in this association.
Ahmed Abdelaziz- After his hard work and perseverance, Ahmed Abdelaziz is now the successful owner and CEO of Omarica Builders, Inc. After coming to the US in 1980, Ahmed worked his way in the hotel business in Chicago and Boston to the management level before establishing his presence on Wall Street in 1987. After trading for several firms in the financial markets, he decided to diversify his experience by going into real estate development. His solid success in this field led him to expand his contracting services to the public sector. With Ahmed’s his extraordinary talents as a real-estate developer Omarica not only designs and builds dream homes for his clients but has also branched out into hotel renovations, including prominent, upscale hotels across the nation.
Dr. Naser Rustom- Beginning as just a family practitioner Dr. Naser Rustom has come along way to be one of the most prominent and successful businessmen in the Chicagoland area. Dr. Rustom not only has expanded his practice into several offices across the city, but also has three full diagnostic facilities and a surgical center all to provide the top medical care to Chicagoans. However, his day does not end there; instead Dr. Rustom goes to his other, more entertaining business venture, Alhambra Palace Restaurant in which he recently spent several million dollars building. There Dr. Rustom provides an authentic cultural getaway featuring Moroccan cuisine and his hand-picked array of live entertainment including belly dancing, flamenco, salsa and jazz.
Ali Al-Arabi- As the President of Vanguards for Human Rights and Freedom Mr. Ali Al-Arabi organizes meetings to address issues of bigotry and discrimination between victims, support groups and government agencies. Al-Arabi organized the meeting with Mayor McLaughlin and Police Chief McCarthy and the mayor vowed to create several community liaisons to address Arab American concerns.
For media inquiries please contact:
Lina Khalil
Account Executive
Empower PR
O: 312.255.4017
C: 312.479.2162
Lkhalil@Empowerpr.com
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
New online interview program Point to Point with Ray Hanania
Veteran and award winning journalist and author Ray Hanania launches a new online based interview program called "Point to Point."
The show is hosted exclusively by YallaTunes.com (and YallaNews.com) and also featured by the National Arab American Times Newspaper (www.AATimesNews.com).The program will bring guests from around the world together for 10 minute interviews using the Internet and online video.
Hanania, based in Chicago, will speak with guests remotely. The program features two separate "windows" with the guests in one window and Hanania in the other, using the latest in online business video technology.
The inaugural show features Palestinian-Israeli dialogue facillitators Len and Libby Traubman, who are based in San Francisco, and was taped Jan. 28, 2008. The Traubman's, whose web site is http://traubman.igc.org/dg-prog.htm, have been involved in "living room dialogue groups" for two decades or more. In the interview, they offer instruction and advice on how to conduct successful peace dialogues.
The fiirst show features very good video, and the audio is good but will be improved in future shows. Interviews often depend on the quality of the audio and video equipment used by guests, the speed of their computers, and the quality of the Internet. All kinds of factors impact the final product, which then must be rendered and edited into an online broadcast quality feature.
The shows are made possible by YallaTunes.com, a new and increasingly popular online social networking web site that brings together Arabs and Muslims and anyone interested in Middle East news, music and videos.# # #
The show is hosted exclusively by YallaTunes.com (and YallaNews.com) and also featured by the National Arab American Times Newspaper (www.AATimesNews.com).The program will bring guests from around the world together for 10 minute interviews using the Internet and online video.
Hanania, based in Chicago, will speak with guests remotely. The program features two separate "windows" with the guests in one window and Hanania in the other, using the latest in online business video technology.
The inaugural show features Palestinian-Israeli dialogue facillitators Len and Libby Traubman, who are based in San Francisco, and was taped Jan. 28, 2008. The Traubman's, whose web site is http://traubman.igc.org/dg-prog.htm, have been involved in "living room dialogue groups" for two decades or more. In the interview, they offer instruction and advice on how to conduct successful peace dialogues.
The fiirst show features very good video, and the audio is good but will be improved in future shows. Interviews often depend on the quality of the audio and video equipment used by guests, the speed of their computers, and the quality of the Internet. All kinds of factors impact the final product, which then must be rendered and edited into an online broadcast quality feature.
The shows are made possible by YallaTunes.com, a new and increasingly popular online social networking web site that brings together Arabs and Muslims and anyone interested in Middle East news, music and videos.# # #
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Arab American Writers Group writer hired by mainstream American newspaper
I am happy to inform you that on Thursday, January 24th, The Record (formerly known as The Bergen Record, New Jersey's second largest daily newspaper and the 60th in the nation) will be launching my new weekly opinion column! The column will be appear every Thursday.
I will be using the column to express views and analysis on issues related to both New Jersey, and the issues facing our international society as well. This is a major breakthrough for an important perspective which I and others feel is severely lacking in the public discourse. I hope that ALL OF YOU will do what you can to support this new development in balanced media.
A showing of support and appreciation for this new column can include (1) obtaining a subscription to The Record for those of you who live in North Jersey, stating that you are subscribing in order to read Ahmed Soliman's column; (2) writing letters to the editor in response to the column's I write and subsequently showing a solid following and increased discourse; and (3) for all of you, who live in North Jersey and outside that area as well, to hit the online version fo the column to show a demand for the perspective it provides (webpage address forthcoming).
More updates to come. Thanking you in advance and reminding you to feel free to share your ideas and perspectives with me: it might make it to the pages of a newspaper that has hundreds of thousands of readers.
Your friend,
Ahmed Soliman
I will be using the column to express views and analysis on issues related to both New Jersey, and the issues facing our international society as well. This is a major breakthrough for an important perspective which I and others feel is severely lacking in the public discourse. I hope that ALL OF YOU will do what you can to support this new development in balanced media.
A showing of support and appreciation for this new column can include (1) obtaining a subscription to The Record for those of you who live in North Jersey, stating that you are subscribing in order to read Ahmed Soliman's column; (2) writing letters to the editor in response to the column's I write and subsequently showing a solid following and increased discourse; and (3) for all of you, who live in North Jersey and outside that area as well, to hit the online version fo the column to show a demand for the perspective it provides (webpage address forthcoming).
More updates to come. Thanking you in advance and reminding you to feel free to share your ideas and perspectives with me: it might make it to the pages of a newspaper that has hundreds of thousands of readers.
Your friend,
Ahmed Soliman
Friday, December 28, 2007
Neiman Taylor Family Award for Fairness in Newspapers
The Nieman Foundation would greatly appreciate it if you would encourage NAAJA members to apply for the 2008 Taylor Family Award for Fairness in Newspapers. The award, which carries a $10,000 prize, was established through gifts for an endowment by members of the Taylor family, who published The Boston Globe from 1872 to 1999. For the first time, second and third place finalists will receive $1,000 each. The purpose of the award, which is administered by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, is to encourage fairness in news coverage by America’s daily newspapers.
Nominations may be a single story, a photograph, an editorial or a commentary; a series of stories, photographs, editorials or commentaries; or a body of work by an individual journalist. Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, Jan. 18, 2008, for work published in a U.S. daily newspaper during the previous calendar year.
Anyone may submit a nomination by sending to the address below five copies of the work and a letter explaining why the entry is an exemplary example of fairness in newspapers. The letter should also describe how the work was developed, reported and presented to readers in the context of fairness. In evaluating work, submitters should consider all aspects of the journalistic process: reporting, writing, editing, headlines, photographs and illustrations, and presentation.
Taylor Family Award for Fairness
Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard
One Francis Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
For more information about the Taylor Family Award for Fairness in Newspapers, visit:
http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/events/honors/taylor
Best regards,
Ellen Tuttle
**********************************************
Ellen Tuttle
Communications Officer
Nieman Foundation for Journalism
at Harvard University
617-495-2342
ellen_tuttle@harvard.edu
www.nieman.harvard.edu
Nominations may be a single story, a photograph, an editorial or a commentary; a series of stories, photographs, editorials or commentaries; or a body of work by an individual journalist. Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, Jan. 18, 2008, for work published in a U.S. daily newspaper during the previous calendar year.
Anyone may submit a nomination by sending to the address below five copies of the work and a letter explaining why the entry is an exemplary example of fairness in newspapers. The letter should also describe how the work was developed, reported and presented to readers in the context of fairness. In evaluating work, submitters should consider all aspects of the journalistic process: reporting, writing, editing, headlines, photographs and illustrations, and presentation.
Taylor Family Award for Fairness
Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard
One Francis Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
For more information about the Taylor Family Award for Fairness in Newspapers, visit:
http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/events/honors/taylor
Best regards,
Ellen Tuttle
**********************************************
Ellen Tuttle
Communications Officer
Nieman Foundation for Journalism
at Harvard University
617-495-2342
ellen_tuttle@harvard.edu
www.nieman.harvard.edu
Friday, December 14, 2007
NAAJA announces 2008 Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award, Excellence in Journalism Contest
NAAJA is proud to announce the 2008 Mehdi Courage in Journalism Contest and the Excellence in Journalism Contest for Middle East, Arab American and general writing for print, TV, radio and web blogs.
The contest is open to anyone.
The deadline for submissions is Feb. 1, 2008. Winners are announced in April 2008.
Get details at: http://naaja-us.com/MehdiAwards.htm
You can't win unless you enter.
Thanks
Ray Hanania
www.NAAJA-US.com
The contest is open to anyone.
The deadline for submissions is Feb. 1, 2008. Winners are announced in April 2008.
Get details at: http://naaja-us.com/MehdiAwards.htm
You can't win unless you enter.
Thanks
Ray Hanania
www.NAAJA-US.com
Friday, November 30, 2007
Israeli-Palestinian Journalism Conference Monday Dec. 3 East Jerusalem
Israeli and Palestinian Journalism Conference
Ambassador Hotel, Sheikh Jarrah, Off Nablus Road (at the
intersection for the police department)
It is a few blocks north of the American Colony Hotel ... the number there is
541-2222
Journalists from the print media and Internet media address their experiences, your background, what you have learned about covering the Middle East, describe your beat, what you look for, what challenges you might face and how you deal with them ... any
examples of great stories, tough stories, stories you can't get to do because of barriers ... things you would like to see change, etc. (Humor is always good)
Our purpose is not to get into a political debate, but obviously, as we all know, politics is the world in the Middle East so it will surely inject itself into the discussion. But the purpose is to focus on professional journalism, and also introduce journalists together, Palestinians and Israelis.
------------------- Program ------------------
NAAJA EVENTS
SPJ-Arab Journalists
Monday, Dec. 3, 2007
Ambassador Hotel, Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem
1st Floor Conference Room
Sponsored by NAAJA, SPJ-Arab Journalists
PANEL 1: Internet Media: Strategies and Challenges facing Internet News Web and
Blog sites
Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, 12-2:30
- Moderator, Charley Warady, co-host, Israelisms, an online weekly audio blog of
life in Israel (Confirmed)
- Alan Abbey, Former editor, YnetNews.com, one of the most popular English
language news sites from Israel (Confirmed)
- Khaled Abou-Aker, Editor, AMIN.org, online Middle East analysis (Confirmed)
- Elisheva Cohen, MidEastYouth.com one of the highest ranked Middle East news
blogs on the Internet (Confirmed)
- Fadi Abu Sada, Director Palestine News Network, an online news agency
(Confirmed – or a representative if he is not allowed to cross from Bethlehem)
- Sherif Hedayat, standup comedian, online video producer
PANEL 2: Traditional Media: Strategies and Challenges facing coverage of the
Palestine-Israel Conflict
Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, 2:45-5:30
- Moderator: Ray Hanania, syndicated columnist, SPJ-Arab Journalists coordinator, and Arab Writers Group Syndicate manager.
(Confirmed)
- Steve Linde, managing editor, The Jerusalem Post, editor at Israel Radio.
Linde has worked at the Jerusalem Post for the past 10 years and 18 years at
Israel Radio. (Confirmed)
- Lisa Zilberpriver, reporter Haaretz Newspaper. (confirmed)
- Dion Nissenbaum, McClatchy Newspapers Jerusalem Bureau (Confirmed)
- Joel Greenberg, Middle East correspondent for the Chicago Tribune (Confirmed)
- Zaki Abu Al-Halaweh, correspondent for al-Quds Newspaper (Confirmed)
- Issa Sharbati, correspondent for al-Hayat al-Jadida newspaper (Confirmed)
The event is open to the public. We encourage you to have lunch at the
Ambassador Hotel prior to the conference.
end
Ambassador Hotel, Sheikh Jarrah, Off Nablus Road (at the
intersection for the police department)
It is a few blocks north of the American Colony Hotel ... the number there is
541-2222
Journalists from the print media and Internet media address their experiences, your background, what you have learned about covering the Middle East, describe your beat, what you look for, what challenges you might face and how you deal with them ... any
examples of great stories, tough stories, stories you can't get to do because of barriers ... things you would like to see change, etc. (Humor is always good)
Our purpose is not to get into a political debate, but obviously, as we all know, politics is the world in the Middle East so it will surely inject itself into the discussion. But the purpose is to focus on professional journalism, and also introduce journalists together, Palestinians and Israelis.
------------------- Program ------------------
NAAJA EVENTS
SPJ-Arab Journalists
Monday, Dec. 3, 2007
Ambassador Hotel, Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem
1st Floor Conference Room
Sponsored by NAAJA, SPJ-Arab Journalists
PANEL 1: Internet Media: Strategies and Challenges facing Internet News Web and
Blog sites
Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, 12-2:30
- Moderator, Charley Warady, co-host, Israelisms, an online weekly audio blog of
life in Israel (Confirmed)
- Alan Abbey, Former editor, YnetNews.com, one of the most popular English
language news sites from Israel (Confirmed)
- Khaled Abou-Aker, Editor, AMIN.org, online Middle East analysis (Confirmed)
- Elisheva Cohen, MidEastYouth.com one of the highest ranked Middle East news
blogs on the Internet (Confirmed)
- Fadi Abu Sada, Director Palestine News Network, an online news agency
(Confirmed – or a representative if he is not allowed to cross from Bethlehem)
- Sherif Hedayat, standup comedian, online video producer
PANEL 2: Traditional Media: Strategies and Challenges facing coverage of the
Palestine-Israel Conflict
Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, 2:45-5:30
- Moderator: Ray Hanania, syndicated columnist, SPJ-Arab Journalists coordinator, and Arab Writers Group Syndicate manager.
(Confirmed)
- Steve Linde, managing editor, The Jerusalem Post, editor at Israel Radio.
Linde has worked at the Jerusalem Post for the past 10 years and 18 years at
Israel Radio. (Confirmed)
- Lisa Zilberpriver, reporter Haaretz Newspaper. (confirmed)
- Dion Nissenbaum, McClatchy Newspapers Jerusalem Bureau (Confirmed)
- Joel Greenberg, Middle East correspondent for the Chicago Tribune (Confirmed)
- Zaki Abu Al-Halaweh, correspondent for al-Quds Newspaper (Confirmed)
- Issa Sharbati, correspondent for al-Hayat al-Jadida newspaper (Confirmed)
The event is open to the public. We encourage you to have lunch at the
Ambassador Hotel prior to the conference.
end
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
CAIR Publishes Guide on Islam and Muslims
Help Improve Coverage of Islam in the U.S. Media
Sponsor 'A Journalist's Guide to Understanding Islam and Muslims'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/13/2007) - CAIR today called on Muslims to support a major new initiative to help improve coverage of Islam in the American news media.
At a press conference in the nation's capital, CAIR said the centerpiece of its "Beyond Stereotypes" campaign will be distribution of the newly-published "American Muslims: A Journalist's Guide to Understanding Islam and Muslims" to some 40,000 media professionals nationwide.
Muslims are being asked to sponsor copies of the guide for $20 or to order hard copies for distribution to local media outlets.
SEE: Beyond Stereotypes: A CAIR Initiative to Enhance Understanding of Islam in the Media
CAIR's new guide offers journalists the tools needed to gain a better understanding of Islam and to write accurate and balanced stories about Muslims. The guide also offers background information on issues related to Islam and Muslims, best practices for reporting on the American Muslim community and definitions of terminology often used in news stories or editorials.
In challenging common misconceptions about Islam and Muslims, the guide provides an Islamic perspective on hot-button issues such as Islam and democracy, freedom of religion, women's rights, and interfaith relations.
Media professionals may request a free copy of CAIR's journalist guide through the "Beyond Stereotypes" website. (Sample pages of the guide can be viewed on the website.)
Along with distribution of the guide to editors, reporters, producers, and other journalists, CAIR is offering media relations training to Muslim communities nationwide. The "Beyond Stereotypes" website also offers tips on pro-active educational activities such as hosting media events and meeting with newspaper editorial boards.
"Because we work with media professionals on a daily basis, we know the vast majority of journalists are doing the best job they can with the information resources they have available," said CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed. "It is our duty, and that of the Muslim community, to make sure every journalist who writes about Islam or Muslims has access to accurate information."
In a statement released at today's news conference, CAIR said: "We recognize that much of the negative perception of Islam and Muslims is the result of negative actions by a tiny minority of Muslims. That minority should not be allowed to overshadow the vast majority of Muslims in this country and worldwide who reject terrorism and religious extremism."
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:
1. SPONSOR A JOURNALIST'S GUIDE. For only $20, you can help improve coverage of Islam and Muslims in the U.S. media. Click here to sponsor a journalist's guide.
2. ORDER HARD COPIES OF THE JOURNALIST'S GUIDE for distribution to local media outlets. Click here to order a guide.
3. REQUEST MEDIA RELATIONS TRAINING for your community. Either contact a local CAIR chapter, or click here to request training or learn about other actions you can take.
end
Sponsor 'A Journalist's Guide to Understanding Islam and Muslims'
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/13/2007) - CAIR today called on Muslims to support a major new initiative to help improve coverage of Islam in the American news media.
At a press conference in the nation's capital, CAIR said the centerpiece of its "Beyond Stereotypes" campaign will be distribution of the newly-published "American Muslims: A Journalist's Guide to Understanding Islam and Muslims" to some 40,000 media professionals nationwide.
Muslims are being asked to sponsor copies of the guide for $20 or to order hard copies for distribution to local media outlets.
SEE: Beyond Stereotypes: A CAIR Initiative to Enhance Understanding of Islam in the Media
CAIR's new guide offers journalists the tools needed to gain a better understanding of Islam and to write accurate and balanced stories about Muslims. The guide also offers background information on issues related to Islam and Muslims, best practices for reporting on the American Muslim community and definitions of terminology often used in news stories or editorials.
In challenging common misconceptions about Islam and Muslims, the guide provides an Islamic perspective on hot-button issues such as Islam and democracy, freedom of religion, women's rights, and interfaith relations.
Media professionals may request a free copy of CAIR's journalist guide through the "Beyond Stereotypes" website. (Sample pages of the guide can be viewed on the website.)
Along with distribution of the guide to editors, reporters, producers, and other journalists, CAIR is offering media relations training to Muslim communities nationwide. The "Beyond Stereotypes" website also offers tips on pro-active educational activities such as hosting media events and meeting with newspaper editorial boards.
"Because we work with media professionals on a daily basis, we know the vast majority of journalists are doing the best job they can with the information resources they have available," said CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed. "It is our duty, and that of the Muslim community, to make sure every journalist who writes about Islam or Muslims has access to accurate information."
In a statement released at today's news conference, CAIR said: "We recognize that much of the negative perception of Islam and Muslims is the result of negative actions by a tiny minority of Muslims. That minority should not be allowed to overshadow the vast majority of Muslims in this country and worldwide who reject terrorism and religious extremism."
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:
1. SPONSOR A JOURNALIST'S GUIDE. For only $20, you can help improve coverage of Islam and Muslims in the U.S. media. Click here to sponsor a journalist's guide.
2. ORDER HARD COPIES OF THE JOURNALIST'S GUIDE for distribution to local media outlets. Click here to order a guide.
3. REQUEST MEDIA RELATIONS TRAINING for your community. Either contact a local CAIR chapter, or click here to request training or learn about other actions you can take.
end
Sunday, November 11, 2007
3rd Annual National Arab American Book Awards, submissions due Feb. 1, 2008
Dear Publishers and Writers:
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is proud to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the
2007 Arab American National Museum
Book Award
Books submitted for consideration must be written or illustrated by an Arab American, or address the Arab-American experience. It must be an original work and published in English between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. Submissions must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2008. An award will be given to an author or illustrator in each of the following three categories:
Adult Non-Fiction in the areas of the Social Sciences and Humanities
Adult Fiction, including Arts and Literature
Children or Young Adult, Fiction or Non-Fiction
Submission forms are attached to this email and can also be found on the AANM website: http://www.arabamericanmuseum.org/resource/attach/93/AANMSubmissionForm2007.pdf. For additional information regarding the Book Award please contact Dima Kanakri of the AANM Library & Resource Center at 313-624-0223 or dkanakri@accesscommunity.org.
The Arab American National Museum Book Award was established in 2006 to encourage the publication and excellence of books that preserve and advance the understanding, knowledge, and resources of the Arab American community by celebrating the thoughts and lives of Arab Americans. The purpose of the Award is to inspire authors, educate readers and foster a respect and understanding of Arab American culture.
The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates, and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. We serve as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization.
Arab American National Museum 13624 Michigan Avenue Dearborn, MI 48126
www.arabamericanmuseum.org
end
The Arab American National Museum (AANM) is proud to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the
2007 Arab American National Museum
Book Award
Books submitted for consideration must be written or illustrated by an Arab American, or address the Arab-American experience. It must be an original work and published in English between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. Submissions must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2008. An award will be given to an author or illustrator in each of the following three categories:
Adult Non-Fiction in the areas of the Social Sciences and Humanities
Adult Fiction, including Arts and Literature
Children or Young Adult, Fiction or Non-Fiction
Submission forms are attached to this email and can also be found on the AANM website: http://www.arabamericanmuseum.org/resource/attach/93/AANMSubmissionForm2007.pdf. For additional information regarding the Book Award please contact Dima Kanakri of the AANM Library & Resource Center at 313-624-0223 or dkanakri@accesscommunity.org.
The Arab American National Museum Book Award was established in 2006 to encourage the publication and excellence of books that preserve and advance the understanding, knowledge, and resources of the Arab American community by celebrating the thoughts and lives of Arab Americans. The purpose of the Award is to inspire authors, educate readers and foster a respect and understanding of Arab American culture.
The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates, and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. We serve as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization.
Arab American National Museum 13624 Michigan Avenue Dearborn, MI 48126
www.arabamericanmuseum.org
end
Journalism Conference in East Jerusalem Monday Dec. 3
Journalism Panels -- Jerusalem
Monday, Dec. 3, 12 – 5:30 PM
Ambassador Hotel East Jerusalem
Sponsored by NAAJA, SPJ-Arab Journalists
PANEL 1: Internet Media: Strategies and Challenges facing Internet News Web and Blog sites
Tentatively: Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, 12-2:30/3
- Moderator, Charley Warady, co-host, Israelisms, an online weekly audio blog of life in Israel (Confirmed)
- Alan Abbey, Former editor, YnetNews.com, one of the most popular English language news sites from Israel (Confirmed)
- Khaled Abou-Aker, Editor, AMIN.org, a center for Palestinian, Israeli and Middle East opinion (Confirmed)
- Elizabeth Cohen, MidEastYouth.com one of the highest ranked Middle East news blogs on the Internet (Confirmed)
- Fadi Abu Sada, Director Palestine News Network, an online news agency (Confirmed – or a representative if he is not allowed to cross from Bethlehem)
PANEL 2: Traditional Media: Strategies and Challenges facing coverage of the Palestine-Israel Conflict
Tentatively: Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, 3-5:30/6
- Moderator: Ray Hanania, syndicated columnist and Arab Writers Group Syndicate manager. (Confirmed)
- Steve Linde, managing editor, The Jerusalem Post, editor at Israel Radio. Linde has worked at the Jerusalem Post for the past 10 years and 18 years at Israel Radio. (Confirmed)
- Sara Miller, reporter Haaretz Newspaper. (confirmed)
- Dion Nissenbaum, McClatchy Newspapers Jerusalem Bureau (Confirmed)
- Joel Greenberg, Middle East correspondent for the Chicago Tribune (Confirmed)
- Zaki Abu Al-Halaweh, correspondent for al-Quds Newspaper (Confirmed)
- Issa Sharbati, correspondent for al-Hayat al-Jadida newspaper (Confirmed)
END
Monday, Dec. 3, 12 – 5:30 PM
Ambassador Hotel East Jerusalem
Sponsored by NAAJA, SPJ-Arab Journalists
PANEL 1: Internet Media: Strategies and Challenges facing Internet News Web and Blog sites
Tentatively: Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, 12-2:30/3
- Moderator, Charley Warady, co-host, Israelisms, an online weekly audio blog of life in Israel (Confirmed)
- Alan Abbey, Former editor, YnetNews.com, one of the most popular English language news sites from Israel (Confirmed)
- Khaled Abou-Aker, Editor, AMIN.org, a center for Palestinian, Israeli and Middle East opinion (Confirmed)
- Elizabeth Cohen, MidEastYouth.com one of the highest ranked Middle East news blogs on the Internet (Confirmed)
- Fadi Abu Sada, Director Palestine News Network, an online news agency (Confirmed – or a representative if he is not allowed to cross from Bethlehem)
PANEL 2: Traditional Media: Strategies and Challenges facing coverage of the Palestine-Israel Conflict
Tentatively: Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, 3-5:30/6
- Moderator: Ray Hanania, syndicated columnist and Arab Writers Group Syndicate manager. (Confirmed)
- Steve Linde, managing editor, The Jerusalem Post, editor at Israel Radio. Linde has worked at the Jerusalem Post for the past 10 years and 18 years at Israel Radio. (Confirmed)
- Sara Miller, reporter Haaretz Newspaper. (confirmed)
- Dion Nissenbaum, McClatchy Newspapers Jerusalem Bureau (Confirmed)
- Joel Greenberg, Middle East correspondent for the Chicago Tribune (Confirmed)
- Zaki Abu Al-Halaweh, correspondent for al-Quds Newspaper (Confirmed)
- Issa Sharbati, correspondent for al-Hayat al-Jadida newspaper (Confirmed)
END
Friday, November 09, 2007
NAAJA-Palestine launched
A new networking chapter of the National Arab American Journalists Association has been launched based in Jerusalem, Palestine. The group, NAAJA-Palestine, features 10 Palestinian journalists working with a wide range of Palestinian print and online news media.
The group plans to organize a new Palestinian journalism union to replace the former union which has collapsed through inactivity and politics.
For more information, visit www.NAAJA-US.com.
Ray Hanania
The group plans to organize a new Palestinian journalism union to replace the former union which has collapsed through inactivity and politics.
For more information, visit www.NAAJA-US.com.
Ray Hanania
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