Free ADC membership

The Arab American Anti Discrimination Committee is giving you a free membership!  No strings attached.  Nothing to do but fill out this annual membership gift certificate.

Thanks ADC!

Building a New Syria

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace invites you to attend a one-day conference with senior opposition figures and experts on the ongoing conflict in Syria and efforts to construct a new Syrian state. Friday, November 9 CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE Root Room—Second Floor 1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW | Washington, DC 8:45 – 9:00 Opening Remarks, Jessica Mathews 9:00 – 10:30 Elements of a Political Settlement Bassma Kodmani, opposition member/ex-SNC; Samer Abu Leben, Syrian Muslim Brotherhood; George Sabra, SNC spokesman; Alan Semo, Kurdish activist; Moderator, Marwan Muasher 10:45 – 12:15 Socio-Economic Challenges Omar Dahi, Hampshire College; Samer Abboud, Arcadia University; Jihad Yazigi, Editor, Syria Report; Moderator, Yezid Sayigh 12:30 – 2:15 Break 2:30 – 4:00 The Role of Political Islam in Post-Assad Syria Bassam Hatahet, Syrian Muslim Brotherhood; Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yacoubi; Sheikh Mahmud Abu Al-Huda al-Husseini; Moderator, Nathan J. Brown 4:00 – 4:15 Closing remarks, Katherine Wilkens For additional information, please contact Tiffany Tupper at ttupper@ceip.org or 202.939.2212.

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over

What will the outcome of the Presidential election mean for US Middle East policy? If re-elected, will President Obama maintain similar policies or make significant adjustments? If Governor Romney is elected, what changes can we expect? Panelists will discuss the impact of the election on US policy in the region. "Where are We Headed? The U.S. and Middle East After Elections" The Palestine Center 2425 Virginia Ave, NW Washington, DC 20037 202.338.1290 Not in Washington? Watch it live here. Friday, 9 November 2012 Times may change/panels may be added 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Registration 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome Remarks 9:15 - 11:00 a.m. Panel I - U.S. Policy After the Election: A Reason for Change? Hrair Balian Director of the Conflict Resolution Program, The Carter Center Mark Perry Independent Author Helena Cobban Independent Publisher and Journalist 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Coffee 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Panel II - Taking Stock in the Arab Uprisings: Where are we headed? Nathan Brown Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University Adel Iskandar Scholar of Media and Communications, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University Kristin Diwan Assistant Professor of Comparative and Regional Studies, School of International Service, American University 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Lunch 1:45 - 3:15 p.m. Panel III - Public Discourse on Palestine: Reasons for Optimism? Samer Badawi Communications Manager, Institute for Middle East Understanding Will Youmans Assistant Professor of Media, George Washington University 3:20 - 4:45 p.m. Panel IV - Palestinian Strategy: Reform, Representation, and a New Framework Noura Erakat Freedman Teaching Fellow, Temple Law School; and Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Badil Khaled Elgindy Fellow, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institute Leila Hilal Director, The New American Foundation Middle East Task Force

Dean Obeidallah for Vice President

Take a break from all of the political tension here in Washington with a campaign stop funnier than what we've seen so far in this election! Arab American Comedian Dean Obeidallah brings hilarious his show to Washington DC for 2 shows Sunday, October 21 at 6 and 8 PM Davis Performing Arts Center (Gonda Theater) on the Georgetown University campus You’ve seen Dean on US and international TV shows including Comedy Central's "Axis of Evil" special, ABC's "The View," "Comics Unleashed," NBC's "Rock Center," MSNBC's "Up with Chris Hayes," Current TV's "The Young Turks," and weekly on CNN offering comedic commentary on political and topical issues. But wait, there’s more… Appearing in Washington with Dean are Said Durrah, Palestinian-Jordanian American from the Washington area. Remy Munasifi the Lebanese-Iraqi American “Remy” of “Go Remy.” The YouTube comedy star who has toured the US and made such famed comedy music videos as "Hey There Khalilah," "Saudis in Audis," and "“The Tabbouleh Song.” Tickets are only $25 and $15 for students with valid id. Click here

for tickets or call 202.687.ARTS. This show is going to sell out fast!

Arabian Sights Film Festival

Arabian Sights: October 25 - November 4, 2012 The 17th Annual Arabian Sights Film Festival returns to Washington with 10 new films from today's Arab world! All films will be screened with English subtitles. This year’s festival features a captivating selection of films from countries including Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and more. Guest film directors, American premieres, and post-screening receptions are among the items on the agenda. An Audience Award for favorite film will be presented. Loads of info is available is available here

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Arab American Candidates' Night

On Sunday, September 30, hundreds of Arab Americans enjoyed a wonderful evening of politics and good company at the 24th annual Arab American Candidates’ Night. Though it is a bipartisan event, the Democratic candidates gladly participated while the Republican candidates left us wondering if they care about our community. We were honored that Governor Tim Kaine, Representatives Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly and Democratic candidate Kristen Cabral spoke with guests. Though this was Ms. Cabral’s first election, the three incumbents have visited with us many times over the years. In addition to these Democratic candidates, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran also addressed the audience. Media from around the world covered this event and many participants were interviewed. Here are a few photos from the Candidates’ Night.

Arab Youth: A Look at the Future

Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 represent nearly one-fifth of the population of the Middle East and North Africa. This group has played a central role in shaking up the old order, and while so far they have not been able to shape the policies of the new regimes, it remains key to the outcome of transitions in the region. A Generation on the Move, a study cosponsored by The Issam Fares Institute at the American University in Beirut and UNICEF, offers important insights on the aspirations and problems of Arab youth. The study includes polling data that reveals further information about this demographic. Thursday, October 11 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington Speakers Rami George Khouri, an internationally syndicated political columnist and book author, is the first director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University in Beirut. He also serves as a nonresident senior fellow at the Kennedy School of Harvard University and the Dubai School of Government. Dalia Mogahed is senior analyst and executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies. She is co-author with John L. Esposito of Who Speaks for Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think. She was selected as an advisor by President Barack Obama for the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Vivian Mercedes Lopez is the regional advisor for Adolescent Development and Participation at the UNICEF Middle East and North Africa regional office. Prior to moving to Amman, Jordan, she served as the HIV/AIDS regional advisor for UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2002 to 2009. She is currently a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Youth Unemployment. Moderator Marina Ottaway works on issues of political transformation in the Middle East and Gulf security. A long-time analyst of the formation and transformation of political systems, she has also written on political reconstruction in Iraq, the Balkans, and African countries. For more information please contact Tiffany Tupper at ttupper@ceip.org or 202.939.2212

Banquet in Honor of Journalist Helen Thomas

His Eminence Metropolitan Philip has bestowed the Antiochian Gold Medal upon renowned journalist Helen Thomas. For the occasion, a banquet will be held in her honor. Ss. Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church Hall Potomac, Maryland Friday, October 12. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30. Proceeds from the dinner will go to the Antiochian Heritage Foundation in Helen Thomas' honor. For reservations please contact either the Law Offices of Albert Mokhiber at 703.391.9898 or Mona at Ss. Peter and Paul Church at 301.765.9188. Click here for more info.

Kennedy-King Dinner

The 8th Congressional District (Virginia) Democrats are hosting their annual Kennedy-King Dinner on Friday, October 12. Here's the details: http://www.va8thcddems.org/2012/09/18/kennedy-king-dinner-2012 The Arab American Democratic Caucus of Virginia is looking into getting a table so if you're interested, please contact Paul Noursi at paulnoursi@cox.net

New Brookings Reports on the Middle East

Brookings has a lot of new reports on the Middle East. I haven't read them - just got this today. Please post recommendations after you've read some of these.

EARLA gala

Join the Egyptian-American Rule of Law Association (EARLA) in celebrating at their first annual galas! Saturday, October 27, 2012 VIP Reception: 6 p.m. Gala: 7 p.m. Embassy Suites of Frisco 7600 John Q. Hammons Drive Frisco, TX Sunday, October 28, 2012 VIP Reception: 5 p.m. Gala: 6 p.m. Petruzzello's Banquet and Conference Center 6950 Rochester Road Troy, MI Monday, November 3, 2012 VIP Reception: 6 p.m. Gala: 7 p.m. The Newark Club One Newark Center - 22nd Floor 1085 Raymond Boulevard Newark, NJ You may purchase tickets through PayPal mail from Egyptian-American Rule of Law Association, 1629 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006-1631.

facebook

We're on facebook. Check us out at http://www.facebook.com/ArabAmericanDemocrats

Annual Candidates' Night Dinner

The New Dominion PAC, the "Voice of Arab Americans in Virginia" cordially invites you to the 24th Annual Candidates' Night Dinner, from 7:00 to 9:00, Sunday, September 30 at the Tysons Corner Marriott, 8028 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA Candidates for US Senator and the 8th, 10th and 11th Congressional Districts have been invited. Tickets are only $50! Please contact Mr. Saba Shami at 703.628.3475 of sabashami@cox.net for more information.

ADC Law Review

The ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI) invites submissions from scholars of law, legal practitioners, and law students for its first publication of the ADC Law Review (ALR). ALR is a legal journal that seeks to promote, through legal scholarship, ADC’s mission of equality and justice for Arab Americans. To that end, ADC-RI is welcoming article submissions exploring legal issues pertaining to the civil rights of Arab Americans and other policy matters concerning the Arab American community. Submissions of notes by current law students are also welcome. All submissions will be reviewed by a peer-review committee. Please send an email to alyaa@adc.org with the following: 1. The words “ALR SUBMISSION” in the subject line of the email. 2. A cover letter in the body of the e-mail containing the title of the article or note; an abstract of approximately 250-500 words; the author’s contact information, including name, institutional affiliation, and contact information. 3. The submission, as an attachment to the cover letter email. For purposes of review and printing, please send the submission according to the following specifications: Microsoft Word document; containing no more than 20,000 words (including text and footnotes); articles and notes between 10,000 to 15,000 words are preferred; without the author’s name on the document (for purposes of anonymity during review); original, previously unpublished work; citations to authority should adhere to the The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (19th ed. 2010). 4. The c.v. of the author, as an attachment to the cover letter email.

Arab Americans for Obama!

Join us! https://dashboard.barackobama.com/groups/1008-arab-americans

2012 ADC Convention

The 2012 American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee convention was a huge success. President Obama sent a personal message to the participants. Watch it here

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Phone bank for Jim Moran

Our friend, Congressman Jim Moran has an opponent in the June 12 primary. Primary turnout typically is low so it is important that we get Jim's supporters out to vote for him. You can help bu joining our phone bank! We'll meet this week on Thursday, May 24 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at the Arlington County Democratic Committee Headquarters, Suite 200, 2050 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. The office is conveniently located at the Courthouse Metro station. The phone number there is 703.528.8588.

Ameen Rihani

Representatives Nick Rahall (D-West Virginia) and Charles Boustany (R-Louisiana) introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring the life of Arab American writer Ameen Rihani (1876–1940) and celebrating 100 years of the Arab American novel.

The resolution elaborates Rihani’s role in educating the American public about the Arab world at the turn of the century and describes his vision of a cooperative relationship between Arabs and Americans that emerged after his travels through the Arabian Peninsula in the 1920s. Rihani’s 1911 novel, The Book of Khalid, tells an extraordinary story of migration from Baalbek, Lebanon to Washington Street in Lower Manhattan. Washington Street was the home away from home for many Arab Americans.

We need you to help this resolution pass. Please urge your Member of Congress to co-sponsor House Resolution 608 honoring Rihani.


While you’re at it, please take a look at Save Washington Street, the effort to save what is left of Little Syria. So many of our ancestors walked along Washington Street. We need to preserve what remains for the next generations.

Free Oud Concert

Our concert by The Oud Hobbyists Association

Wednesday, April 25, 6:00 pm

Free, no tickets needed

Millennium Stage
Kennedy Center
Washington

Religion and Conflict in the Middle East - Capitol Hill Briefing

Religion and Conflict in the Middle East

The Arab American Institute is hosting a Capitol Hill briefing on the current situation of religious minorities in the Middle East.
11:30am – 1:00pm (lunch will be served), Wednesday, April 11.

1539 Longworth House Office Building, Washington

If you cannot make it to Washington, you can watch the event on the web by tuning in to AAI's livestream channel

After more than a thousand years of relatively peaceful co-existence, religious communities in the Middle East are increasingly threatened as a result of recent conflicts and political developments. The on-going violence in Iraq, Syria, and Palestine has created significant refugee outflows, particularly from targeted religious and ethnic communities including Christians, Sufis, and others. Can the trend be reversed?

Join the discussion this Wednesday.

Father Simon Faddoul – President, Caritas Foundation
Qamar-ul Huda – Senior Program Officer, US Institute of Peace
Dr. James Zogby – President, Arab American Institute

Fr. Simon Faddoul is the President of Caritas Lebanon, a Catholic Relief charity assisting Iraqi and Syrian refugees seeking refuge in Lebanon. Fr. Faddoul has had a distinguished career in the Maronite Church of Lebanon and he holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of Cincinnati. He is also Pastor of the parish of Jal Eldib-Bkennaya, Lebanon.
Qamar-ul Huda is a Senior Program Officer in the Religion and Peacemaking Center and a scholar of Islam at US Institute of Peace. His edited USIP book, The Crescent and Dove: Peace and Conflict Resolution in Islam, provides a critical analysis of models of nonviolent strategies, peace building efforts, conflict resolution methods in Muslim communities. His research is on comparative Sunni-Shi’ite interpretations of social justice, ethics, dialogue, and the ways in which the notion of justice is used and appropriated.
Dr. James Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, a Washington-based organization which serves as the political and policy research arm of the Arab American community. Since 1985, Dr. Zogby and AAI have led Arab American efforts to secure political empowerment in the US. He is the author of Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why it Matters.

Please rsvp to Samer Araabi, Government Relations Manager – Foreign Policy at saraabi@aaiusa.org or 202.652.4984

American Task Force for Lebanon

Two years ago, the American Task Force for Lebanon received a challenge from the US Department of State - raise money for cluster munitions clearance in South Lebanon and the State Department will match it 2 for 1. The ATFL raised over $100,000 to trigger the maximum State Department match of $200,000.

Now, the State Department has another challenge - raise money and the State Department will match up to $50,000. This time, the money will be used not for clearance, but for assisting victims of exploded remnants of war in Lebanon. This campaign is a partnership among the ATFL, the State Department, the Marshall Legacy Institute, and the Embassy of Lebanon.

H.E. Antoine Chedid, Lebanon’s Ambassador to the US, said: “My country has acquired a great deal of expertise in clearing unexploded ordnance and dealing with injuries from landmines and cluster bomblets. Lebanon has the doctors, therapists, and technicians to care for and rehabilitate these people, but the Lebanese organizations that do this work often lack the resources. Foreign donor countries and NGOs, such as the American Task Force for Lebanon and the Marshall Legacy Institute, are truly filling a real need in this regard.”

Your generous donation will support two programs that survivors desperately need:

Medical assistance:
• Prosthetic limbs, limb fittings, and rehabilitative care for up to 30 Lebanese explosive remnants of war survivors
• Wheelchairs, walkers, and additional equipment
• Transportation for survivors for limb fittings and rehab sessions

Computer literacy training:
• Computer vocational training course for 60-120 mine/explosive remnants of war survivors
• Internet connectivity, computer instructors, supplies
• Transportation for computer class participants

Your contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more will change the lives and make productive the Lebanese civilians injured by landmines, cluster bomblets, and other exploded remnants of war.

ADC Alumni

ADC Intern Alumni -- One of the most important things you can do in strengthening and growing the ADC is to remain in contact with other ADC alumni. There are more than 500 of you!

The ADC is calling on all of you to participate in the newly-formed ADC Intern Alumni group which was established to serve as a resource to help connect you with fellow alumni and the entire ADC community. They count on support from friends like you to achieve their mission, so please let them hear from you.

It’s application time for the 2012 intern class. Please talk with students and recent grads you come in contact with and discuss the opportunities of the ADC intern program.

Email lmokhiber@adc.org with your name and contact info along with the semester/year you interned. You can also join the group on Facebook.

A reunion for all former interns is already in the works! More info to follow.

ADC summer interns in Washington

There have been more than 500 students who have participated in the Anthony Shadid Internship program in the past 31 years, Students gain practical training in community organizing, media relations, research and writing, legal issues, political action, educational outreach, and routine office while working alongside the ADC professional staff. The first few weeks of the summer program are centered on the annual ADC Convention which will be taking place June 21-24, 2012.

Qualifications

Candidates must have completed at least one year of college. They can be undergraduates, recent graduates, or graduate and law students. Interns must be or become ADC members -- student memberships are available at a discounted rate.

Summer internships are available in the following departments:
• Government Relations
• Legal
• Communication and Outreach
• Organizing
• President’s Office
• ADC Women's Initiative

Up to 15 internships are available this year at the national office. Interns are expected to work full-time during the eleven week program (early May to early August). There is a possible $1,500 stipend for undergraduates and $2,000 for graduate students. Those who receive course credit are not eligible for a stipend.

Applications for summer internships with the Legal Department are due by March 15. Later applications will be considered, but early applicants will be given priority.

What You Need to Apply

• Completed application form
• Resume
• Academic transcript
• Two letters of recommendation
• Two-page personal statement about your goals as an ADC intern and how your academic, professional, or campus and community activities or career goals are related to the position you requested.

Mail competed applications to:

Anthony Shadid Internship Program
ADC Research Institute
1732 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20007

If you have any questions, contact (202) 244-2990 or email adc@adc.org

St. Patrick’s Day!

Start St. Patrick’s Day at the 2012 Pancake Breakfast with Chairman Brian Moran

8:00 to 10:00 am, Saturday, March 17

T.C. Williams High School Cafeteria
3330 King Street
Alexandria, VA

$25 - Individual
$75 - Family of 4

Sponsorships are available at:
$2,500 - Chairman's Clovers
$1,000 - Lucky Leprechauns
$500 - Emerald Isle
$250 - St. Patrick's Partners
$100 - Shaking Shamrocks

Please RSVP

ADC Convention - June 21 to 24

The ADC Convention dates have been set. Please see below for the information that came from the ADC and make your plans to attend.



Every June in Washington DC, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) hosts its annual convention. The convention continues to be the largest national gathering of Arab Americans every year.

Registration for the 2012 ADC National Convention being held June 21 to 24, is now available online! All ADC members and supporters are welcome at the convention and encouraged to take advantage of early-bird discount rates while they last.

These four days in June are about you and for you; the success of the convention is largely determined by your participation and involvement.

Convention attendees from across the country will converge on the nation’s capital to address important policy issues affecting all Americans, as well as celebrate our Arab cultural heritage. We invite you to be part of this tradition!

ADC President, Warren David, anticipates that the attendance this year will be at an all-time high. He encourages all ADC members to invite their family, friends, and colleagues to unite in making the Arab American voice heard.

Our theme this year is "Taking Charge, Moving Forward: Decision 2012." Moving forward means coming together as one community in all our richness and diversity, and creating our own narrative.

As many of you know, we have been working intensely to move ADC forward, so it would only seem right for this year's agenda to reflect the new ADC initiatives and developments. The 2012 agenda will be unique -- we are shaking up old traditions and putting a fresh spin on them!

Well-informed, thought-provoking speakers will give in-depth analysis of current issues and events, and generate dialogue. Together, we will devise the necessary strategies and create tools to organize our community.

The agenda will be released soon. Until then, we encourage you to get ahead of the game and register now! Early-bird rates expire Monday, April 23. Do not wait until the last minute to purchase your package.

REGISTRATION Save $50 when you register now. Earlybird discount full-package registration rate for members: $260, non-members: $300, and students: $210. Rates go up after April 23, 2012.

MORE DETAILS Full details will be made available with the launch of the official convention website www.adc.org/convention. Stay tuned for announcements on panels, workshops, keynote speakers, other special guests and more!

ACCOMODATIONS All events, unless otherwise noted, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. ADC has secured a special rate of $125 per night. Book now!

SPONSORSHIP For details about sponsorship, exhibit tables, or advertisement opportunities, send an e-mail to convention@adc.org or call (202) 244-2990.

Reception for our friend Congressman Dennis Kucinich

Congressman Dennis Kucinich has been one of few members of Congress to take a stand on important issues to our community. In support of his 2012 re-election campaign and in thanks for standing with our community, some distinguished members of the Arab American community will host a fundraiser for Congressman Kucinich. Your hosts for this bipartisan event are Saba and Amira Shami, Jamil and Kamelah Shami, Hanna and Reem Hanania, Khaled Saff uri, Samer Korkor, Sam Shihadeh, and Bassam Khawam

7:00 to 9:00 pm, Wednesday, February 15
The Ramallah Club
2631 Chain Bridge Road
Vienna, VA

Please register for this event and contribute by clicking here

In the wake of 9/11, Congressman Kucinich opposed the war in Iraq and mobilized 126 members of Congress to vote against the use of force authorization. He was the only Congressman who visited South Lebanon during the Israeli war on Lebanon in July 2006 to view the destruction first-hand and denounce the killing of civilians.
Recently, he stood against the following:
• H. Res. 1765 (condemned Palestine’s unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state);
• H. Res. 5327 (unbalanced statements on missile defense systems being sent to Israel); and
• H. Con. Res. 385 (unfairly apportioned blame for a breakdown in negotiations as it neglected to mention the continued building of settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank).

For more information, please contact Hanna Hanania at hannahanania@yahoo.com, 202.256.6061 or Saba Shami at sabashami@comcast.net, 703.628.3475

Iran and Syria: A Tale of Two Crises

10:00 to 11:30 am, Thursday, February 2

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington

Brookings’ Saban Center for Middle East Policy will host a discussion on the ongoing crises with Syria and Iran, the potential for escalation, and America’s role in the situation. Panelists include Saban Center Senior Fellows Suzanne Maloney and Michael Doran, as well as Andrew Tabler, the Next Generation Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Brookings Senior Fellow and Sabin Center Director Kenneth Pollack will make introductory remarks and moderate the discussion.

After the program, the panelists will take audience questions.

Email: events@brookings.edu
Phone: 202.797.6105
Register

Little Syria, USA

This news from the ADC --

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) urges its members to support the campaign to protect the last remnants of what was once a small but vibrant Arab American neighborhood in New York City's Lower Manhattan from impending demolition.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, "Little Syria" had been a hub for immigrants establishing their lives in America - Lebanese, Syrians, and other Arabs among them. A central place where peoples of all ethnic backgrounds came to engage in business, it was the first major Arab American neighborhood and is part of our collective story as Americans.

Today, only three buildings remain along Washington Street as relics of this cherished past: a tenement, a community center, and the former St. George’s Syrian Catholic Church. Todd Fine and Carl Antoun have dedicated themselves to the mission of ensuring that the piece of Arab American history told through the presence of these buildings is not erased. With St. George’s having been designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission as a protected landmark in 2009, Fine and Antoun are spearheading an urgent and inspiring campaign to establish the same status for the other two buildings. To succeed, they need the help of the community.

Arab Americans have always been a part of the American story. This unique trio of buildings along Washington Street stands as an affirmation of this fact. ADC fully supports this vital campaign, and calls on the Arab American community to take action and help preserve our collective heritage.

Learn more about the Save Washington Street Campaign!

AAI Summer Interns

The Arab American Institute offers internships in Washington for Arab American college students and recent graduates interested in public affairs, advocacy and ethnic politics. The program is part of the Arab American Institute Foundation's commitment to youth leadership, along with scholarships and awards for public and community service.

Internships during the spring, summer and fall semesters at AAI offer hands-on experience in the workings of a busy non-profit with programs that include research and information, event management, community outreach, and media relations, among others. Applications are reviewed by senior staff to determine departmental assignments based on each student's area of study, extracurricular activities, and interests.

In addition to assignments at AAI, they also place summer interns in other organizations in Washington, including advocacy groups, the national political parties, government agencies, and organizations that focus on Middle Eastern affairs. 2011 Interns were offered positions at the ACLU, Al Jazeera, the Office of Congresswoman Karen Bass, the New America Foundation, USAID, and others.

Preference for summer internships will be given to those who are available for full-time placement and eligible for college credit. Those not eligible for college credit are allocated a stipend of up to $1,000 per month, based on hours. Applicants must either be U.S. citizens or permitted to work in the U.S. Interns receive either college credit or a stipend.

Please apply online by April 6.

National Council on US-Arab Relations Washington Summer Internship Program

National Council on US-Arab Relations Washington Summer Internship Program

May 28 through August 3, 2012

The National Council on US-Arab Relations' Washington Summer Internship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students a ten-week professional, academic, and career opportunity internship in the nation's capital. The program features a demanding mix of professional involvement, intellectual challenge, career exploration, and cultural encounters designed to provide interns with a rich and varied experience during their time in Washington.
• Professional workplace experience: Interns are placed with one of over a dozen Near East and Arab world-related organizations in Washington, D.C., where they are expected to work 35-40 hours/week under the direct supervision of their host organizations.
• Academic seminars: Interns take part in twice weekly seminar sessions designed to provide them with greater depth of knowledge about the Arab world, to underscore the cultural, economic, and political diversity of Arab states, and to explore the intricacies of Arab-U.S. relations.
• Site visits: Interns receive a behind-the-scenes look at many of the central institutions of federal government, national security policymaking, international diplomacy, and international business.
Sponsorship: The program is administered by National Council professionals and staff, together with more than two dozen of America's foremost scholars and leading foreign affairs practitioners. The programs, activities, and functions represented by the organizations and corporations that provide the professional work experience component of the program are varied. Included among placements in recent years have been educational development and exchange organizations, bimonthly and quarterly publications, humanitarian relief groups, broadcasting networks, area studies centers, international transportation companies, foreign trade associations, peace and justice advocacy groups, and a variety of non-governmental organizations.

Here's the details.