Press Room

Letter to Secretary Rice Urges Further Championship of Gaza Students’ Hopes

From AAI
Posted on Tuesday July 15, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 15, 2008 – The Foundation for Middle East Peace, the Arab American Institute, and five other American organizations who support a two state peace between Israel and Palestine have asked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to urge Israel to permit hundreds of students in Gaza who have been admitted to foreign universities to exit Gaza. These students are confined to Gaza because of Israel’s closure policy.

The other co-signers of the letter are Americans for Peace Now, American Task Force on Palestine, Churches for Middle East Peace, the Israel Policy Forum, and Brit Tzedek v’Shalom.

Former Career Diplomat Sentenced Today for Sending Obscene and Threatening Messages

From AAI
Posted on Monday July 14, 2008

WASHINGTON – July 11, 2008 – Former American career diplomat W. Patrick Syring was sentenced today in federal court in Washington, D.C. On June 12, 2008, Mr. Syring pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights charge for threatening employees of the Arab American Institute (AAI) because of their race and national origin, and to a second charge for the interstate transmission of threatening communications.

Today, Syring was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of 12 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of post-release supervision, 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly presided over the sentencing.

AAI, ADC, MPAC Concerned By Alleged DOJ Guidelines

From AAI
Posted on Monday July 14, 2008

Washington, DC July 3, 2008 The Arab American Institute (AAI), the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), and other organizations are concerned by an Associated Press report quoting “senior FBI, Justice Department, and U.S. intelligence officials” concerning new Department of Justice guidelines which are slated for implementation later this summer. The guidelines would allegedly give the FBI authority to “investigate Americans without any evidence of wrongdoing, relying instead on a terrorist profile that could single out Muslims, Arabs or other racial and ethnic groups.”

AAIF Launches Scholarship for Arab American Journalism Students

From AAIF
Posted on Thursday July 10, 2008

AAI, ADC, and ATFP Continue to Raise Entry Denial Concerns with State Department

From AAI
Posted on Monday July 7, 2008

WASHINGTON – June 25, 2008 – On June 19, the Arab American Institute (AAI), American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), and the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) met with State Department officials from the Bureau of Consular affairs, and the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs to discuss the practice of denying entry to U.S. citizens of Palestinian or Arab descent into Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).

“Viewpoint with James Zogby” to Feature Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Debbie Almontaser

From AAI
Posted on Thursday June 26, 2008

In June 26 Episode, Host James Zogby Will Speak With Congressman Who Introduced Articles of Impeachment and Former Khalil Gibran International Academy Principal

WASHINGTON – June 26, 2008 – Today’s edition of “Viewpoint with James Zogby” will feature Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who earlier this month introduced 35 articles of impeachment against President George W. Bush, and Debbie Almontaser, the former principal of New York’s Khalil Gibran International Academy.

American University in Cairo Honors AAI President Dr. James Zogby

From AAI
Posted on Wednesday June 18, 2008

The American University in Cairo (AUC) granted Arab American Institute President Dr. James Zogby the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa on Thursday, June 19. Zogby also delivered the keynote speech at the university’s undergraduate commencement ceremony on the same day.

Rep. Ray LaHood to Receive 2008 Najeeb Halaby Award at Kahlil Gibran Awards Gala

From AAI
Posted on Friday April 18, 2008

WASHINGTON – April 18, 2008 – The Arab American Institute (AAI) and Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) will honor U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois at the 10th annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards gala on Wednesday, April 23 in Washington, D.C. LaHood will receive this year’s Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service, presented annually to an Arab American who has excelled in public service while displaying strong and visible pride in his or her heritage. Sen. John E. Sununu of New Hampshire will present the award to LaHood, who is retiring from Congress after representing the 18th District of Illinois for seven terms.

Reporters Without Borders to Receive Award for Institutional Excellence at 2008 Kahlil Gibran Awards Gala

From AAI
Posted on Tuesday April 8, 2008

Rami Khouri, Editor of Beirut-based Daily Star, to Present Award to Organization Founder Robert Menard

WASHINGTON – April 7, 2008 – The Arab American Institute (AAI) and Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) will recognize Reporters Without Borders with the Award for Institutional Excellence at the 10th annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards gala on Wednesday, April 23 in Washington, D.C. The organization will be honored for its advocacy on behalf of journalists, as well as its support for freedom of the press worldwide. Daily Star editor Rami Khouri will present the award to Reporters Without Borders founder and Secretary-General Robert Menard, who will travel from Paris to attend the gala.

AAIF to Honor Refugees International at 10th Annual Kahlil Gibran Awards Gala

From AAI
Posted on Thursday April 3, 2008

Actor Sam Waterston to Present Organization With Award for International Commitment at April 23 Event

WASHINGTON – April 3, 2008 – The Arab American Institute (AAI) and Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) will honor Refugees International at the 10th annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards gala on Wednesday, April 23 in Washington. Actor and Refugees International board member Sam Waterston will present the organization with the Award for International Commitment in recognition of over 25 years of contributions to the humanitarian field, confronting the world’s worst refugee crises through a unique combination of advocacy and action.

2008 Kahlil Gibran Awards Gala to Honor Refugees International, Reporters Without Borders; Event to Include “Law and Order” Star Sam Waterston

From AAI
Posted on Thursday April 3, 2008

U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois, Barenboim-Said Foundation Also to Receive Recognition at April 23 Event

The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) will host the tenth annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards gala on Wednesday, April 23 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year’s gala will honor Refugees International for its advocacy on behalf of the world’s displaced people and its recent work on behalf of Iraqi refugees, and Reporters Without Borders for its courageous mission to promote press freedom worldwide.

“Law and Order” star Sam Waterston (above), a board member of Refugees International, will present the organization with the Award for International Commitment. Rami Khouri, editor of the Beirut-based Daily Star, will present the Award for Institutional Achievement to Reporters Without Borders.

Find out more about the gala here and click here to purchase your tickets online!

AAI Leads Coalition to Deliver Letter to Secretary of State Rice Regarding Arab American Entry Into Palestinian Territories

From AAI
Posted on Tuesday March 18, 2008

Letter Expresses Continued Concern Over Obstacles to Entry for American Citizens of Arab and Palestinian Descent

The Arab American Institute (AAI) sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday, March 14 expressing continued concern over the treatment of Americans attempting to legally enter the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) by the Government of Israel. The letter, signed by 29 organizations, states the signatories’ concern regarding the ongoing burdensome bureaucratic requirements, harassment, and humiliation that Americans of Arab, and particularly Palestinian, descent often face when trying to enter Israel or the oPt. Many Americans of Palestinian descent have deep ties and family connections to the region, ties that are in jeopardy because of these procedures.

See also:
U.S. warns Palestinian Americans of delays in Israel, Reuters, March 20, 2008
US to Israel: No Bias Vs Arab-Americans, Associated Press, March 20, 2008

AAI Expresses Condolences for Loss of Chaldean Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho

From AAI
Posted on Friday March 14, 2008

WASHINGTON – March 13, 2008 – The Arab American Institute expresses deep sadness at the death of Paulos Faraj Rahho, Archbishop of Mosul. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Chaldean community today as they deal with the senseless loss of a valued, honorable leader of their spiritual family.

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

From AAI
Posted on Monday March 10, 2008

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

Statement on the Kidnapping of Chaldean Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho

From AAI
Posted on Monday March 3, 2008

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

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

(Photo courtesy the Assyrian International News Agency)