The 5th Annual Washington - Bethlehem Prayer Service

You are invited to join worshipers for a Christmas joint simulcast service with the people of Bethlehem and the people of Washington. Prayers, readings, and hymns alternate between Washington and Palestine via the Internet, bringing together people of different lands, languages, and ethnic backgrounds in celebration of Christmas.

10:00 am, Saturday, December 17

Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW
Washington

If you are elsewhere, we encourage to you gather with others in your community to watch the service live at www.nationalcathedral.org.

Public Opinion on Iraq and the Arab Spring

In September and October, Zogby Research polled in eight the Middle East and North Africa countries and in the US. The survey looked at public opinion on the Arab Spring, the US withdrawal from Iraq, and other recent developments in the region. Experts will present the survey's major findings and discuss their implications.

1:30 to 4:15, Monday, December 19

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington


1:30 to 2:45
Panel 1 – Iraq: Views on US Intervention and Departure

Chair: Marwan Muasher, vice president for studies, Carnegie Middle East Program
Speakers:
James Zogby, founder and president, Arab American Institute
Edward Gnehm Jr., Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs, George Washington University
Marina Ottaway, senior associate, Carnegie Middle East Program

2:45 to 3:00
Coffee Break

3:00 to 4:15
Panel 2 – Political Change and Governance

Chair: Marina Ottaway, senior associate, Carnegie Middle East Program
Speakers:
James Zogby, founder and president, Arab American Institute
Mustafa Hamarneh, chairman of the board, al-Sijill Magazine
Marwan Muasher, vice president for studies, Carnegie Middle East Program

For more information, please contact Jessica Boulet at jboulet@ceip.org, 202.939.2212. Register here for this free event.

ADC

In June, Warren David became the new ADC president and the ADC has had quite a rich and active six months under his leadership. I’m ready to see what 2012 brings.

So far this year, the ADC has:
hosted its 31st National Convention, bringing together Arab Americans from across the US to strengthen the bonds in our community and to enhance the understanding of the issues that concern us all.

convened a Civil Rights Policy Conference to represent the views of Arab Americans on civil rights to policymakers in our nation’s capital. The conference was covered by C-Span, streamed around the world, and attended by representatives from the Justice Department, Capitol Hill and key nongovernmental organizations.

initiated the monthly Arabesque Lecture Series which gives Arab Americans and others a monthly forum through which to learn about and discuss issues of concern to our community. The first two lectures in the series discussed the role of Arab Americans in the Arab Spring and the inspirational role of Arab women in the Arab Spring uprisings.

launched the National Arab American Lawyers Association (NAALA), a network of Arab-American attorneys, legal practitioners, and law students, who will serve as a powerful legal backbone for the Arab American community.

organized the spectacular Turaath Cultural Event, which showcased the Meejana Dabkeh Troupe, Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih, the fashions of Iraqi designer Hana Sadiq and music from the Michigan Arab Orchestra Takht Ensemble. The event was attended by 1,200 people and was covered by major national media outlets, including National Public Radio (NPR) and the Huffington Post.

Oh, and they also resolved various civil rights, immigration, asylum and anti-discrimination cases and matters with a success rate higher than any of the past few years. ADC currently has nearly 500 open cases and, with diverse coalition partners, is taking the lead in addressing numerous federal policy directives and programs affecting the Arab American community.

The ADC plans to grow in 2012 by continuing its vital legal work to protect the civil rights of Arab Americans; convening a larger September Civil Rights Policy Conference; taking NAALA to at least 5 other cities so that wherever an Arab American’s civil rights are violated, ADC attorneys will be there to help; presenting 12 Arabesque monthly lectures; bringing the Turaath Cultural Event to at least two other American cities to highlight for even more Americans the splendor of Arab culture and expose young Arab-Americans to their rich heritage; and modernizing its website to better spread our message of human and civil rights for all.

We must stand with the ADC to reach these goals. You can support the ADC with your time and money. You can volunteer to help the ADC run these exciting and vital programs and you can contribute needed funds to continue the ADC’s vital work in protecting our civil rights and embracing our rich culture.

Please go to www.adc.org today to contribute online.

ADC DC Area Elections

ADC DC Area members...elections for the ADC DC Area Chapter Board are here! Members will be electing up to seven new Board Members to lead the ADC DC Area Chapter.

7:00 pm, Monday, December 5

ADC Heritage Center
1732 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, DC

Light refreshments will be served.

You must be present to cast your vote!

The ADC is still accepting nominations online. You may nominate yourself in person as well. For moe details, please go to www.adcdcarea.org/elections.

To join ADC or renew your membership, please click www.adc.org/join-adc

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
1732 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20007
202.244.2990
www.adc.org

Celebrate the annual olive harvest in Palestine at the Jerusalem Fund Annual Souk. Experience the ambience of a Middle Eastern souk in Washington. Enjoy music, coffee, food, henna painting, and more while browsing through textiles, pottery, jewelry and gifts from the Middle East.

Saturday, December 10
11:00 am to - 4:00 pm

The Jerusalem Fund
2425 Virginia Avenue, NW
Washington
202.338.1958

Purchase bottles of fair-trade, extra-virgin olive oil imported from Palestine.

Support the Herbawi factory in Hebron, the only remaining keffiyeh factory in Palestine, by purchasing their keffiyehs sold at the souk.

The event is free and open to the public.

Closing in on 50

In addition to closing in on 100 countries, we're closing in on all 50 states. We need just South Dakota and Hawaii. Here's the top 48 (plus DC) in order of visits.

Virginia
District of Columbia
California
New York
Maryland
Texas
Florida
Michigan
Ohio
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
New Jersey
North Carolina
Georgia
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Washington
Colorado
Minnesota
Arizona
Oregon
Missouri
Indiana
Tennessee
Wisconsin
Iowa
Nevada
Maine
Utah
Oklahoma
New Hampshire
South Carolina
Idaho
Kentucky
Kansas
Vermont
West Virginia
Arkansas
New Mexico
Mississippi
Alabama
Louisiana
Nebraska
Delaware
North Dakota
Wyoming
Alaska
Montana

Closing in on 100

I started this little adventure a few years ago for Arab Americans Democrats in Virginia and little did I expect that this blog would be seen by readers in almost 100 countries!

Here's the 96 countries in order of number of visits to this page.

United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Côte d’Ivoire
Germany
France
Israel
Brazil
Egypt
India
Saudi Arabia
Lebanon
Australia
Russia
Italy
Netherlands
United Arab Emirates
Nigeria
Belgium
Malaysia
Jordan
Qatar
Palestinian Territories
Spain
Switzerland
South Africa
Sweden
Philippines
Japan
Turkey
Ghana
Indonesia
China
Togo
Ireland
Mexico
Finland
Pakistan
Burkina Faso
Poland
New Zealand
Romania
Greece
Chile
Iran
Morocco
Hungary
Senegal
Austria
Czech Republic
Malta
South Korea
Benin
Taiwan
Argentina
Singapore
Tunisia
Algeria
Lithuania
Ukraine
Libya
Kuwait
Colombia
Bangladesh
U.S. Virgin Islands
Monaco
Bahrain
Guatemala
Venezuela
Norway
Thailand
Denmark
Yemen
Serbia
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uruguay
Serbia and Montenegro
Iraq
Cyprus
Sri Lanka
Bahamas
Azerbaijan
Portugal
Oman
Ecuador
Mauritania
Ethiopia
Croatia
Latvia
Vietnam
Panama
Slovakia
Sudan
Central African Republic
Hong Kong
Gibraltar

ADC Launches Arabesque Lecture Series!

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is beginning a new program of monthly lectures – the Arabesque Lecture Series 2011-2012. Each month the series will feature a rich and diverse selection of topics ranging from current politics to culture in the Arab American community and the Arab world.

They kick off the program from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, October 5. Doors open at 5:30.

ADC Heritage Center (map)
1732 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington

The Arabesque Lecture Series begins with “Arab Uprisings: Our Community's Role” featuring Bassam Haddad, Director of the Middle East Studies Program, George Mason University and Adel Iskandar, scholar and lecturer, Georgetown University

General admission is $8 and for Students with ID it is $4.
FREE admission for ADC Members so join ADC today! General Membership is $50, Student/Senior Membership is $25, and Family Membership is $100.

Light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by calling 202.244.2990.

Turaath: Celebrating Arab Culture in America

The ADC Women's Initiative presents Turaath: Celebrating Arab Culture in America

8:00 pm, Thursday, November 10

Lincoln Theatre
1215 U St.
Washington

Please join the ADC Women's Initiative for an evening fearuring:


Michigan Arab Orchestra Takht Ensemble
Fashions of the Arab World by Iraqi designer Hana Sadiq
Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih


Tickets are available from $30 to $200

For more information, please call 202.244.2990.

This is going to be an outstanding program. Buy your tickets early to ensure that you have a place.

This Weekend - More Fun Than You've Had In A long Time!!

This weekend is one you'll remember for quite some time! Two events on two nights – both will entertain you!

Start with side-splitting laughs as the Arabs Gone Wild "Comedy Revolution" Tour is comes to Washington for one big show at 8:00 pm on Saturday, September 24!

Lisner Auditorium - George Washington University
730 21st Street Northwest
Washington, DC

Six great comics - three hilarious headliners.

For tickets please visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Arabs-Gone-Wild-tickets/artist/1388435

The headliners for the show are:

Dean Obeidallah: Comedy Central's Axis of Evil Special, ABC's The View, CNN http://www.deanofcomedy.com/

Maysoon Zayid: Comedy Central, on Air Contributor to "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" On Current TV http://www.arabcomedy.com/

Aron Kader: Comedy Central's Axis of Evil Special, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, FX http://www.aronkader.com/

Plus special guest comics for this show are the hilarious:

Go Remy: "The Falafel Album" on Comedy Central Records, Youtube Star: http://www.goremy.com/Site/Home.html

Said Durrah: NY Arab-American Comedy Festival http://www.saidsworld.com

Sammy Obeid: SF Comedy Festival winner, http://www.facebook.com/sammyko


On Sunday, we have the 23nd Annual Candidates' Night.

Arab American Republicans - Washington DC Area and Arab American Democratic Caucus-Virginia cordially invite you to the 23nd Annual Candidates' Night Dinner

6:00-9:00, Sunday, September 25

Tysons Corner Marriott Hotel
8028 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182

Speakers include Senate Delegate, County Supervisor candidates and more. Former Governor Tim Kaine plans to be with us.

Benefactor:$2,000-(Includes a prime table)
Sponsor:$1,000(Includes a table)
Table Host:$650
Ticket:$50

Please make Checks payable to: NDPAC

For sponsorships, ticket sales and questions, please contact Mr. Saba Shami at 703.628.3475 sabashami@comcast.net

American Task Force on Palestine's 6th Annual Gala

American Task Force on Palestine's 6th Annual Gala

Honoring Heritage, Embracing Originality

October 19, 2011
The Ritz Carlton
1150 22nd Street, NW
Washington

Individual ticket…$250.00
Sponsorships starting at $2,000.00

To purchase tickets please go to:
https://www.americantaskforce.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=5

For more information on sponsorship packages, please go to:
http://www.americantaskforce.org/sixth_annual_gala_sponsorship_form

To see the list of esteemed dignitaries who have joined the Sixth Annual Gala Honorary Host Committee, please go to:
http://www.americantaskforce.org/atfps_sixth_annual_gala_honorary_host_committee

Arabs Gone Wild - Back in Washington!

Saturday, September 24 · 8:00pm - 11:00pm

Lisner Auditorium - George Washington University
730 21st Street Northwest
Washington, DC

The Arabs Gone Wild "Comedy Revolution" Tour is coming to Washington DC for one big show on Saturday, September 24!

I've seen them (who hasn't) and they are funnier than your cousin Habib saying "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers!"

Six great comics - three hilarious headliners.

We have an all new show and 6 great comics!!
For tickets please visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Arabs-Gone-Wild-tickets/artist/1388435

The headliners for the show are:

Dean Obeidallah: Comedy Central's Axis of Evil Special, ABC's The View, CNN http://www.deanofcomedy.com/

Maysoon Zayid: Comedy Central, on Air Contributor to "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" On Current TV http://www.arabcomedy.com/

Aron Kader: Comedy Central's Axis of Evil Special, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, FX http://www.aronkader.com/

Plus special guest comics for this show are the hilarious:

Go Remy: "The Falafel Album" on Comedy Central Records, Youtube Star: http://www.goremy.com/Site/Home.html

Said Durrah: NY Arab-American Comedy Festival http://www.saidsworld.com

Sammy Obeid: SF Comedy Festival winner, http://www.facebook.com/sammyko

For tickets please visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Arabs-Gone-Wild-tickets/artist/1388435

For more details please visit the tour website: http://www.arabsgonewild.com

Slamball

Here are two Arab American athletes playing Slamball a couple of years ago. Nick Shwaery from Virginia and Ameer Ismail from Michigan team up for a one-two punch in a game in Los Angeles.

23nd Annual Candidates' Night

In an earlier post, you read about the 23rd Annual Candidates' Night on Sunday, September 25 at the Tysons Corner Marriott Hotel in Vienna, VA.

Invitations have gone to speakers and they are confirming. So many candidates are clearing their calendars to address you. They recognize that we are an active, important and influential voting group.

Tickets are only $50 and this event includes dinner. Sponsorships are available, too.
For sponsorships, ticket sales and questions, please contact Mr. Saba Shami at 703.628.3475 sabashami@comcast.net

Arab American National Leadership Conference

The Arab American Institute and National Network for Arab American Communities are pleased to invite you to their joint three-day National Leadership Conference, from September 30 through October 2 in Dearborn, Michigan.

Join Arab American leaders from across the country for the conference that will focus on education, advocacy, and community building.

Sessions include:

· Islamophobia and Civil Rights

· 9/11: Policy Implications a Decade Later

· Immigration Reform

· Hate Speech in the 2012 Campaigns

· Impacts of the Arab Spring at Home and Abroad

· US Foreign Policy Priorities in 2012 and Beyond

· Efforts to promote Palestinian human rights and freedom

· Organizational capacity building

· How 501(c)3s can engage in GOTV efforts

· Creating local campaigns and on-the-ground organizing

· Building effective coalitions

· Maximizing social media

Special Features

· Live taping of community town hall on James Zogby’s Viewpoint - Thursday evening

· National Leadership Banquet - Friday night

· NNAAC National Awards Banquet Luncheon - Saturday

· Leadership on the Town - special Saturday night outing


Registration

Full registration $250 (member rate)

$295 (non-member rate)

$195 (student rate with valid ID, limited space available)

Friday banquet only $100

Saturday sessions and lunch only $95

Includes:

Access to live taping of Viewpoint (seating is limited)

Friday banquet (including transportation)

Saturday sessions, breakfast and lunch

Saturday dinner

Sunday sessions, breakfast and lunch

Accommodations

DoubleTree Dearborn-Detroit (Detroit, MI)
5801 Southfield Expressway
Detroit, MI 48228
Special room rate available: $89/night for single or double occupancy. Limited rooms are available at this rate, so book your room now by calling 313.336.3340.

www.aaiusa.org

23nd Annual Candidates' Night

Arab American Republicans - Washington DC Area and Arab American Democratic Caucus-Virginia cordially invite you to the 23nd Annual Candidates' Night Dinner

6:00-9:00, Sunday, September 25

Tysons Corner Marriott Hotel
8028 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182

All Candidates for House of Delegates and State Senate in northern Virginia are invited.

Invited Guest Speakers:

Mark R. Warner-Senator and former Governor
George Allen-Former Governor and US Senator
Tim Kaine- Former Governor

Benefactor:$2,000-(Includes a prime table)
Sponsor:$1,000(Includes a table)
Table Host:$650
Ticket:$50

Please make Checks payable to: NDPAC

For sponsorships, ticket sales and questions, please contact Mr. Saba Shami at 703.628.3475 sabashami@comcast.net

Summer Sizzler!

The ADC invites members and friends to join in their first event of their new seasonal networking series.

Wednesday, July 20

This is an opportunity to network with the community and the ADC staff and meet ADC's new president, Warren David.

RSVP on Facebook, email Laila at lmokhiber@adc.org or call 202.244.2990

Zayed and the Dream

Coming to Washington and LA!

Here's what the Washington Post had to say.

Vote for Palestinian Statehood

Sovereignty and a New Reality: Vote for Palestinian Statehood at the United Nations
with Ambassador Maen Areikat, Chief PLO Representative to the US and Professor John Quigley, Professor of Law, The Ohio State University

12:30 - 2:00, Tuesday, July 12

The Palestine Center
2425 Virginia Ave, NW
Washington
202.338.1958 http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Click here to register.

This lecture examines the September Palestinian statehood vote at the United Nations and the implications its result will have for Palestine, Israel and the Arab world.

Watch this event live from anywhere in the world. Can't make it to this event? Stay connected with the events of the Palestine Center even if you cannot make it to Washington. You can see the event live here.

Annual Voices of Palestine Summer Film Series

The Jerusalem Fund and the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University are pleased to present their annual summer film series highlighting recent documentary and feature films from and about Palestine that explore the social, cultural and political complexities of Palestinian life and identity.

All films are screened at The Jerusalem Fund and are in English or have English subtitles. Attendance is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. Space is limited. Directions and parking information. For all other inquiries, call The Jerusalem Fund at 202.338.1958 or email info@thejerusalemfund.org.
________________________________________

Wednesday | 13 July | 6:30 p.m.

(No) Laughing Matter
Director: Vanessa Rousselot / 54 minutes / 2010

Convinced that humor knows no frontiers, a young filmmaker embarks on an unusual quest: to search for humor in the West Bank. At first she finds only disillusionment – "our whole situation is a joke" – but little by little she uncovers a vibrant culture of humor that defies conventional wisdom. From inane stories mocking the residents of Hebron – the classic butts of Palestinian jokes – to self-deprecating, political quips and bitter-sweet anecdotes about the absurdity of everyday life, her journey plunges her into a little known universe, one in which a glimmer of hope and humanity endure in the shadow of conflict.

Wednesday | 20 July | 6:30 p.m.

One Family in Gaza
Director: Jen Marlow / 22 minutes / 2011

Wafaa Awajah describes the execution of her nine-year-old son during the Israeli assault on Gaza in January 2009. As she speaks, her younger children play on the rubble of their destroyed home. Kamal Awajah struggles to help his surviving traumatized children heal amidst ongoing violence and fear. Their love for their children is expressed in every word and action. Palestinians in Gaza are depicted either as terrorists or as helpless victims. The Awajah family challenges both portrayals. Through one family’s story, the larger tragedy of Gaza is exposed, and the courage and resilience of its people shines through.

Inshallah Beijing
Directors: Francesco Cannito, Luca Cusani / 54 minutes / 2009

View Trailer: http://youtu.be/zvzKv4A9zFk

Ghadir dreams that at last someone will buy her some running shoes. Nader trains whilst dodging missiles and mines. Zakia can’t get a permit from the military to get to the swimming pool. Meet the 2008 Palestinian Olympic team- poorly trained, ill-equipped and competing for a country that doesn’t exist yet. Will the ultimate underdogs make it in Beijing? A unique portrayal of hope.

Wednesday | 27 July | 6:30 p.m.

Occupation Has No Future
Director: David Zlutnick / 84 minutes / 2010

View Trailer: http://youtu.be/k-G5D7bLx1s

Occupation Has No Future studies Israeli militarism, examines the occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, and explores the work of Israelis and Palestinians organizing against militarism and occupation through conversations with Israeli conscientious objectors, former soldiers, and Palestinians living under occupation. The film explores the Israeli social environment and examines the consequences of Israeli policies both for the Palestinian people as well as for Israeli civil society. It additionally looks at the Israeli anti-militarist movement and those Israeli youth refusing conscription, refusing orders, and choosing to partner with a growing grassroots Palestinian campaign of civil disobedience to defeat the occupation.

Arab Spring or Arab Winter (or Both)? Implications for U.S. Policy

9:30 to 11:00, Tuesday, July 9

6th Floor Flom Auditorium
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
1300 Pennsylvania Av., NW
Washington

Free and open to the public.
Also available at Wilson on Demand

Marwan Muasher
Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former Ambassador of Jordan to the United States and Deputy Prime Minister

Ellen Laipson
President and CEO, The Stimson Center

Rami Khouri
Former Public Policy Scholar, Woodrow Wilson Center, and Director, Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, American University of Beirut (via Skype)

Aaron David Miller
Public Policy Scholar, Woodrow Wilson Center

Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World

Noon to 1:00, Wednesday, July 13

6th Floor Moynihan Board Room
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
1300 Pennsylvania Av., NW
Washington

Free and open to the public.
Also available at Wilson on Demand
Robin Wright, Author and USIP-Wilson Center Distinguished Scholar

In Rock the Casbah, Wright, an acclaimed foreign correspondent and television commentator, tells the personal stories behind the rejection of both autocrats and extremists in the Muslim world. Wright profiles young techies mobilizing political uprisings, clerics publicly repudiating Osama bin Laden, Muslim comedians ridiculing militancy, hip hop artists rapping against guns and bombs, playwrights and poets redefining jihad, feminists reinterpreting the Koran, and militants denouncing violence. Wright describes this new phase of Islamic activism as a “counter-jihad.”

Candidates' Night

The New Dominion PAC, the Arab American Republicans - Washington DC Area, and the Arab American Democratic Caucus - Virginia are hosting the 23nd Annual Candidates' Night dinner.

6:00 to 9:00 on Sunday, September 25

Tysons Corner Marriott
8028 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182

Candidates for House of Delegates and State Senate in northern Virginia are invited as well as Board of Supervisors and School Board candidates.

More info to follow. Stay tuned as this event sells out every year.

Congratulations, Warren!

I've known Warren David all my life and I can tell you that there is no better person to head the ADC him.

Welcome to Washington, Warren!

The Arab Spring: Hopes and Challenges

Monday, June 6
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Falk Auditorium

The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington
202.797.6105

The Brookings Center on the United States and Europe will host French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé for a public address on the role of France in supporting the Arab Spring and the ongoing operations in Libya.

Alain Juppé was appointed minister of foreign and European affairs of France in February 2011. He has been mayor of the city of Bordeaux, minister of foreign affairs, minister of defense, and prime minister.

Register here.

The Future of Women in the MENA Region, a Tunisian and Egyptian Perspective

The Future of Women in the MENA Region, a Tunisian and Egyptian Perspective

Thursday, June 2
Noon to 1:30 http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

6th Floor Moynihan Board Room
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington
202.691.4000

Watch live on Wilson Center on Demand

Lilia Labidi, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Republic of Tunisia and former Fellow, Woodrow Wilson Center

Moushira Khattab, former Minister of Family & Population of Egypt and former Ambassador of Egypt to the Republic of South Africa, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia

Arabic Jazz Concert/French Wine Reception

7:15 pm, Monday, May 9
Embassy of France - La Maison Française
4101 Reservoir Road NW
Washington

On a first come, first served basis, there is Embassy underground parking (pending security considerations and space availability). Additional parking is available on Reservoir Road and across the street at Georgetown University Hospital’s pay lot.

Tickets are only $20 for a limited time and includes a complimentary wine reception to meet the artists - Ibrahim Maalouf on trumpet and Frank Woeste on piano

Born in Beirut, Ibrahim Maalouf was raised in Paris after fleeing the war with his family. As a child, he dreamed of becoming an architect to rebuild Lebanon, but after discovering the trumpet under the guidance of his father Nassim — a former student of Maurice André and the first Arabic trumpeter to play Western classical music — his destiny was apparent. Adapting the Arabic musical language to the unique quarter-tone trumpet invented by his father, revels in the influences of middle-eastern and occidental culture. His international collaborations have included ventures with Sting, Amadou et Mariam, Vanessa Paradis, Jacky Terrasson and Marcel Khalifé.

Artist links:
- http://www.ibrahimmaalouf.com/
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uYkNJMjcxs
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3k_W8Wonog

Requested Attire - business or cocktail attire requested.

Tentative Agenda (Agenda is subject to change)
Please note that the concert promptly starts at the designated time, Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the designated time.

7:15 PM Admission Commences
7:30 PM Concert commences

Due to security considerations at the embassy, you must reserve a ticket in advance to attend this event. THERE WILL BE NO DOOR SALES. Tickets are only $20 for a limited time and $30 afterwards. Please reserve your tickets soon, as capacity is limited.

DC Palestine Film Festival

ADC Heritage Center
1732 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007

RSVP on Facebook or send an email to rsvp@adc.org


FILM SCHEDULE

MONDAY, APRIL 25

6:30 PM: Salt of This Sea - A romantic drama about a working-class woman and her experiences traveling back home.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26
6:30 PM: Private - A Palestinian family is trapped inside a house commandeered by Israeli soldiers.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27: GAZA NIGHT
6:30 PM: One Family in Gaza - Through one family’s story, the larger tragedy of Gaza is exposed, and the courage and resilience of its people shines through.

7:00 PM: Something to Prove - A documentary following fifteen 15-year old boys from Gaza as they visit the United States for the first time.

8:00 PM: Tears of Gaza - A powerful and emotionally devastating record of the impact of the 2008-2009 bombing of Gaza had on the civilian population.


THURSDAY, APRIL 28
6:30 PM: With God on Our Side - A look at what Christian Zionism teaches and more importantly, the real implications it has on the people of the Middle East.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29
6:30 PM: Arna's Children - Late Jewish-Palestinian Actor/Director Juliano Mer-Khamis' documentary on his mother, Arna, an activist against the Israeli occupation who founded an alternative education system for Palestinian children.

Miss Lebanon Emigrant

Beirut Duty Free Rocks Airport with Dabke Dance - Full Version

Ahlan!

Uprisings in the Middle East: A New Arab World Order

Uprisings in the Middle East: A New Arab World Order

Thursday, February 24
12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

The Palestine Center
2425 Virginia Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20037
202.338.1290

Click here to watch online.

Click here to register.

Uprisings in the Middle East: A New Arab World Order with Ambassador Clovis Maksoud,
Director of the Center for the Global South, American University; Ms. Nadia Hijab,
Co-director, Al-Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network; and Dr. Michele Dunne, Senior Associate, The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

From self-immolation to a region on fire, the past two months have brought forward transformational change in the region. What are the implications of these uprisings on other Arab states? How does this change relations between the Arab states and between them and the US? Do the ongoing uprisings change the way we think of the Palestine question? All of these questions and more will be addressed by a distinguished panel of guests.

The Palestine Papers: Fallout
with
Khaled Elgindy - Visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution
Noura Erakat - Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University
Mark Perry - Journalist and Author

Tuesday, February 15
12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

The Palestine Center
2425 Virginia Ave, NW
Washington

Please click here to RSVP
Leaked documents pertaining to Israeli-Palestinian negotiations which include the proceedings and discussions from behind closed door meetings at the highest levels caused an uproar across the Arab world. Panelists will discuss the contents of these leaks, the coverage by Al Jazeera and the Guardian and what effect they may have on the Palestinian Authority and the future of negotiations.

Watch this event live from anywhere in the world.
Can't make it to this event? Stay connected with the events of the Palestine Center even if you cannot make it to Washington, D.C. You can see the events live here.

2011 ATFL Gala Awards Night

The American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL) on Wednesday, March 23 at the Fairmont Washington Hotel in Washington, DC. The reception begins at 6:00 and the dinner begins at 7:00.

The 2011 honorees are:
The Hon. Charles W. Boustany, Jr. who was re-elected to represent Louisiana’s 7th District in the US House of Representatives. Before entering Congress, he was a cardiovascular surgeon.

Mr. Gregory Jbara, actor and Tony® Award winner. You’ve seen him on Broadway and on Law and Order; Monk, Friends; and The West Wing to name a few.

For more information please click here.

Advocacy Training and Lobby Day in Washington

SATURDAY, MARCH 5 - Affiliated Events (separate registration required)

12:30 to 6:00 - Campus Organizing Conference

7:00 to 8:30 - The Goldstone Report Book Event

SUNDAY, MARCH 6 - Official Events

9:30 to 11:00 - Keynote Address
Israel/Palestine in the Age of Obama and the Tea Party: What Does the Future Hold?
Nadia Hijab - Writer, public speaker, media commentator and Co-Director of Al-Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network

11:15 to 12:15 - Introducing our Policy Asks
Josh Ruebner - National Advocacy Director at the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation; additional presenters TBA

12:15 to 2:00 - Lunch

2:00 to 3:30 -Workshops

Workshop 1: Mobilizing the Grassroots: Generating Leverage through Constructive Campaigns

Workshop 2: Bringing Solidarity Home: Supporting Palestinian and Israeli Partners While Working for Change Locally

Workshop 3: Faith Based Organizing: Engaging Religious Communities and Creating Interfaith Space

Workshop 4: Ending Military Aid to Israel: Mobilizing for Policy Change in Your Community

3:45 to 5:00 - Facilitated Panel Discussion

Policy Levers and Grassroots Fulcrums: Where Can We Push and Be Most Effective?

6:00 to 8:30 - Social Event and Fundraiser

MONDAY, MARCH 7: - Official Events

10:00 to 5:00 - Meetings on Capitol Hill

3:30 to 5:30 - Evaluation Session

TUESDAY, MARCH 8 - Affiliated Events

Time TBA: Policy Briefing with Palestinian and Israeli Experts

Click here to register.

All official events sponsored by:
Interfaith Peace-Builders and the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation
All official events endorsed by:
CODEPINK: Women for Peace, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Islamic Circle of North America, ICNA Council for Social Justice, Jewish Voice for Peace, the Middle East Research and Information Project, the Washington Peace Center, and others

Webinar - Post 9/11 Discrimination

The Arab American Anti Discrimination Committee will present a live Webinar on Muslim, Arab, and Middle Eastern Discrimination in the Post-9/11 Era. This Webinar is hosted by the American Bar Association-Continuing Legal Education (ABA-CLE).

Wednesday, February 2 - 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (Washington)
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Details here: http://www.abanet.org/cle/programs/t11mam1.html

Advocacy Training for Community Activists

On Saturday, January 29, the Arab American Anti Discrimination Committee will conduct an advocacy training seminar for community activists in Washington, DC.

For all of the details, please contact Abed Ayoub at aayoub@adc.org

Reaching the Teachers Campaign

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) with its strong grass-roots national network of chapters, activists, parents and educators, is committed to improve the quality of education about the Arab world.

This "Reaching the Teachers" campaign encourages Arab Americans to become more involved in their community schools, builds relationships with teachers associations, and sensitizes educators to the Arab American community and its concerns. While we have seen a steady improvement in increasing awareness of Arab-related issues, much needs to be done in spreading the word to the more than 300,000 social studies teachers and 12,000 school districts in the US.

Areas of Work Include:

* Build a national network of Arab-Americans who are involved in their children's education and in their local school systems.
* Advise, train, and provide resources for education activists and ADC chapter Education Committees. Support their work as they give classroom presentations, provide educational materials to teachers and school libraries, organize teacher training workshops, monitor textbooks for bias and misrepresentation of the Arab world, take part in school Human Relations or Minority committees, and respond to incidents of insensitivity or discrimination in the schools.
* Develop lesson plans and bibliographies on Arab culture, anti-Arab discrimination, Arab women, religions of the Arab world, and Palestine.
* Supply teachers and school systems with good educational materials on the Arab world.
* Provide resources on Arabs and Arab Americans to schools of education for use in multicultural teacher training.
* Place articles on Arab American concerns in national educational publications and professional journal for educators.
* Sensitize key multicultural educators, whose work influences the education profession as a whole to the Arab-American community and its concerns.
* Cultivate a national network of Arab-American educators.
* Heighten the profile of Arab Americans and the Arab world in the multicultural curriculum. Put Arab Americans on the multicultural education agenda.

For information, please contact:

ADC Education Department
1732 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202.244.2990
adc@adc.org
www.adc.org

ADC Anthony Shadid Internship Program

Since 1981, more than 400 students have participated in the ADC Research Institut intern program. Students from all over the country gather at the national office in Washington, DC each year to gain first-hand experience and knowledge about ADC issues and campaigns. The ADCRI is the non-profit affiliate of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), an Arab-American civil rights organization.

The intern program offers a variety of positions for leadership development. It educates students on issues of civil rights, the Arab heritage, and current events in the Middle East. It empowers them to educate others. Students gain practical training in community organizing, media relations, research and writing, legal issues, political action, educational outreach, and routine office work alongside our regular professional staff. The first few weeks of the summer program are centered on the annual ADC Convention in June.

Candidates must have completed at least one year of college. They can be undergraduates, recent graduates, or graduate and law students. Individual departments have their own requirements. Interns must be or become regular ADC members. Student memberships are available at discounted rates.

While the program is primarily oriented to Arab-American students, we encourage applicants of all ethnic backgrounds. Occasionally, international students are part of the intern program. Such students must arrange on their own to acquire US visas that authorize employment in the US. They may be available through university programs or organizations such as the Council on International Educational Exchange (www.ciee.org).

Types of Internships

* President's Office
* Education & Outreach
* Organizing
* Information Technology
* Legal Services
* Government Affairs
* Media and Publications

Summer Program

During the summer, up to 15 internships are available at the national office. The 11 week internships are full-time positions. We are asking interns to start as early in May as possible after the school ends. There is a $1500 stipend for undergraduates and $2000 for graduate students. Those who receive course credit do not receive a stipend.

Housing: We can advise interns about searching for housing and assist them in locating other interns who are seeking roommates.

Educational Program: One day a week, interns visit government and congressional offices, embassies, and other organizations. This introduces student to some of the policy-making institutions in the Washington area, which shape issues and events of concern to Arab Americans. There will be opportunities to take advantage of some of the speakers, films, conferences, and cultural programs in Washington which address Arab world issues. Each year interns write and publish Intern Perspectives, in which they reflect on their experiences at ADC and on the issues they have dealt with.
Deadlines

Applications for summer internships with the Legal Department are due by March 1. Applications for other departments are due March 15. Later applications will be considered, but early applicants will be given priority.
Semester Internships

Internships carry a small stipend. Full-time interns receive $400/month for undergraduates and $500 for graduate and law students. Volunteer positions for course credit are available during the academic year and are arranged on a case-by-case basis. Interns receiving course credit do not receive a stipend. Legal Department deadlines for application are: September 30 for fall, December 30 for spring. For other departments, applications are considered as they are received. Work hours can be accommodated to student class schedules.

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:
Intern Coordinator
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
1732 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 244-2990

ADC Briefing on Capitol Hill: Relationship with Law Enforcement

ADC Briefing on Capitol Hill: Relationship with Law Enforcement

Thursday, February 3
Doors open at 10:30 am and the program starts promptly at 11:00

Room 2203, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee will conduct a briefing on Capitol Hill to highlight how the relationship between the Arab and Muslim American communities and law enforcement has progressed over the last decade and which outreach efforts have proven effective for mutually beneficial interaction and dialogue.

Presenters include current and former government officials, community representatives, and counter-terrorism experts. The briefing provides an opportunity to hear first-hand examples of law enforcement’s successful interactions with the community.

Please RSVP to rsvp@adc.org.

For more information about the briefing please contact Abed Ayoub at aayoub@adc.org or at 202.244.2990.