www.aaiusa.org

Healing the Nation: An Arab American Agenda for Security, Liberty and Peace

2006

Washington, D.C. • Sept 10-12, 2006

National Leadership Conference

Th e Arab American Institute (AAI) represents the policy and community interests of Arab Americans throughout the United States and strives to promote Arab American participation in the U.S. electoral system. AAI focuses on two areas: campaigns and elections, and policy formation and research. Th e Institute strives to serve as a central resource to government offi cials, the media, political leaders and community groups on a variety of public policy issues that concern Arab Americans and U.S. – Arab relations.

Th e 2006 National Leadership Conference was sponsored by the AAI Foundation along with support from Th e Carnegie Corporation, and the following individual donors.

Acknowledgements

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Hosts

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Mission Statement

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Message from the President

Arab Americans from across the United States gathered in Washington, D.C. recently to take part in our 2006 National Leadership Conference. Th e three-day event drew participants from 20 states and 33 organizations. Entitled “Healing the Nation: An Arab American Agenda for Security, Liberty and Peace,” the conference successfully helped us as a community to take stock of our political achievements as well as some of the challenges that we still face with the upcoming elections and beyond. Attendees interacted with elected offi cials, humanitarian agencies, coalition partners and political experts to help transform frustration and grief into action in time to make an impact in the 2006 elections. Additionally, we commemorated the painful fi fth anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001 with a breakfast with our civil liberties partners and an interfaith luncheon. What we made clear at both was our continued unwavering com-mitment to protecting our country while ensuring that the ideals upon which it was founded are not undermined. We also had an opportunity to engage Members of Congress from both parties and discuss with them the continuing turmoil in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine. During a special tribute on Capitol Hill, we honored those Arab Americans working in federal government. Th ey are a testament to the fact that we are an integral part of every facet of American society today. U.S. domestic and foreign policy decisions on “our issues” are more important than ever – not only to us, but to the nation as a whole. Accordingly, attendees pledged to continue to mobilize for greater political participation and acceptance. I hope you will add your voice to the ever-strengthening Arab American political constituency and our message for hope and change.

Sincerely,

James ZogbyPresident, Arab American Institute

AAI PRESIDENT JAMES ZOGBY

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Saturday, September 9 5:00pm Reception6:00-9:00 Strategy Meeting on Ancestry in the 2010 Census

Sunday, September 10 2:00-5:30pm Meeting of the AAI National Policy Council and Board of Governors

6:30-9:00 Dinner and Conference Opening Session “Summer of Crisis: Views from Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon” H.E. Afi f Safi eh, Palestinian Ambassador H.E. Carla Jazzar, charge d’aff aires, Embassy of Lebanon H.E. Samir Sumaida’ie, Iraqi Ambassador

Monday, September 11 8:30-10:00am Breakfast Forum: A Community Conversation in Remembrance of 9/11

10:15-11:45 Concurrent Breakout Discussions

12:00- 2:00pm Luncheon Forum with interfaith messages to commemorate the fi fth anniversary of September 11, 2001 Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon, Interfaith Alliance Imam Mohamed Magid, All Dulles Area Muslim Society Rev. George Rados, Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church Rabbi David Saperstein, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

2:30 – 4:00 Plenary Session on the Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon and Palestine Andrew Whitley, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Peter Gubser, American Near East Refugee Aid John Connolly, Catholic Relief Services 4:00-4:30 Hon. Tim Roemer, Former U.S. Congressman and 9/11 Commissioner

4:30-5:30 Plenary Session: Looking Ahead to the 2008 Elections George R. Salem, Chairman, AAI James J. Zogby, President, AAI 7:00-9:30 Reception Buff et U.S. Congressman Michael Honda Tuesday, September 12

8:00am Breakfast Forum U.S. Senator Russell Feingold

9:30-10:30 Tour of the Capitol Building (optional) 11:00-12:00pm Eyewitness Accounts: Americans evacuated from Lebanon Speak Out U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa

12:00-1:30pm Luncheon Tribute to Arab Americans in the Federal Government U.S. Senator John E. Sununu U.S. Congressman Charles Boustany

Schedule of Events

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination CommitteeAmerican Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Immigration Lawyers AssociationAmnesty InternationalAsian American Justice CenterCenter for National Security StudiesHebrew Immigrant Aid SocietyHuman Rights FirstInterfaith AllianceJapanese American Citizens LeagueLiberty CoalitionNational Council of La RazaNational Immigration ForumNational Immigration Law CenterOpen Society InstituteRights Working GroupSikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow

• Communicating eff ectively with your member of Congress• Tools to make a diff erence in a campaign • Th e best-kept secret in American politics – your local party committee • Working for Peace: coalition building between Arab and Jewish Americans

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2006 National Leadership Conference

Healing the Nation: An Arab American Agendafor Security, Liberty and Peace

RABBI DAVID SAPERSTEIN, REV. GEORGE RADOS, AAI CHAIRMAN GEORGE SALEM, AAI PRESIDENT JAMES ZOGBY, IMAM MOHAMED MAGID AND BISHOP JANE HOLMES DIXON AT THE INTERFAITH PRAYER LUNCHEON

Acknowledgements...........................................................................................................................................2

Message from the President.............................................................................................................................3

Schedule of Events............................................................................................................................................4

Summer of Crisis: Views from Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.......................................................................6

Remembering 9/11: A Community Conversation.......................................................................................7

Excerpt of Remarks by Senator Russ Feingold.............................................................................................8

A Call for Peace...............................................................................................................................................10

Working for Peace: Coalition Building between Arab and Jewish Americans.........................................11

Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon and Palestine..........................................................................................12

Arab American Legislators............................................................................................................................13

Recognition for Service to Th eir Country....................................................................................................14

Learning Lessons from History and A Call to Hold Government Accountable.....................................15

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Summer of Crisis:

Views from Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon

Th e National Leadership Conference provided Arab Americans from across the country with a unique opportunity to hear fi rst-hand from representatives of Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine on the various crises gripping their respective countries.

In a wide-ranging and frank discussion moderated by AAI Chairman George Salem, Iraqi Ambassador Samir Sumaida’e, Lebanese Charge d’Aff aires Carla Jazzar and Palestinian Ambassador Afi f Safi eh shared with their audience their individual experiences and the challenges still facing each of their countries.

All cited the urgent need for continued American support and engagement. In the case of Lebanon, the call was for help with that country’s massive rebuilding eff ort. For the Palestinians, it was the need to re-establish an active U.S. presence in promoting a negotiated solution leading to the creation of an independent Palestinian state. And in the case of Iraq, it was the need for continued U.S. support for its fl edgling government as it seeks to unify and rebuild its war-battered country.

PALESTINIAN AMBASSADOR AFIF SAFIEH; EMBASSY OF LEBANON CHARGE D’AFFAIRES CARLA JAZZAR; AAI CHAIRMAN GEORGE SALEM; AND IRAQI AMBASSADOR SAMIR SUMAIDA’E

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Remembering 9/11

A Community ConversationAs our nation commemorated the fi fth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, leaders from 20 organizations joined leaders from Arab American communities nationwide to refl ect - as activists, advocates, coalition partners, and Americans - on the legacy of that day. AAI was grateful to share this tragic anniversary with the people who shared with us the burden of its aftermath, and who have taken the lead in reminding the nation of its values and responsibilities, even in its darkest hours.

Coalition PartnersAmerican-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

American Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Immigration Lawyers Association

Amnesty InternationalArab Community Center for Economic and

Social ServicesAsian American Justice Center

Center for National Security StudiesHebrew Immigrant Aid Society

Human Rights FirstHuman Rights Watch

Interfaith AllianceJapanese American Citizens League

Liberty CoalitionNational Council of La RazaNational Immigration Forum

National Immigration Law CenterOpen Society Policy Center

Rights Working GroupSikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund

South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow

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“The mission of AAI has never been

more important than it is today.”

Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) called for greater U.S. involvement in securing the peace in Lebanon and in the rebuilding of that war torn country. Sen. Feingold also called on the Bush Administra-tion to disavow its use of the term “Islamo fascists” stressed the important role of Americans of Arab descent, and reiterated his rejection of profi ling, domestic spying and other practices employed by the Bush Administration that he believes undermine America’s credibility in the world.

Excerpt of Remarks by U.S. Senator Russ FeingoldI am truly honored to be here. Th e mission of AAI has never been more important than it is today, and I have been proud to work with you over the years.

I know many in this room, and in the wider Arab American community, are deeply concerned about the recent confl ict between Israel and Hezbollah, as I am.

Now that a ceasefi re is in place we must off er support for the Lebanese people as they begin to rebuild their country, and we commit U.S. diplomatic eff orts and resources toward achieving peace and stability in the region.

Th e U.S. government needs to devote greater attention and resources to this priority than it has in recent years. One of the most important elements of establishing peace is initiating reconstruction eff orts throughout southern Lebanon immediately, and the U.S. government must be fully engaged in that eff ort.

During the confl ict, I was pleased to work with Senator Durbin from Illinois to introduce legislation that would grant Temporary Protected Status, a form of humanitarian immigration relief, to Lebanese nationals in the U.S. Th e bill would allow Lebanese nationals in the United States to stay in this country legally for a period of up to a year.

Th is bill was only one small eff ort, though. If we are to contribute positively to a sustainable ceasefi re and to setting the conditions within which Israel and Lebanon can become secure, as we must, a senior U.S. envoy must be deployed to the region. It is in the interest of all parties in the Middle East to fi nd a solution to the latest violence, and to look for ways to create a lasting peace throughout the region.

I know that at yesterday’s conference events all of you, like other Americans across the country, honored the memory of those who lost their lives in the horrifi c attacks on our country on 9/11. As we remember those who died, we are reminded that the strength of this country is in its diversity. Th e victims of 9/11 had names like Vladimir, and Mario and Mohammed, and their names testify to the remarkable ethnic and national diversity that make this great country unique. Like places all across America, the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the hijacked planes were fi lled with people with roots in Asia, Central and South America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

And as we work to protect this nation, we must make it absolutely clear that we are fi ghting terrorists – not the religion those terrorists claim to represent. We must avoid using misleading and off ensive terms that link Islam with those who subvert this great religion or who distort its teachings to justify terrorist activities. I call on the President to stop using the phrase “Islamic Fascists,” a label that doesn’t make any sense, and certainly doesn’t help our eff ort to fi ght terrorism. Fascist ideology doesn’t have anything to do with the way global terrorist networks think or operate, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the overwhelming majority of Muslims around the world who practice the peaceful teachings of Islam.When the President of the United States uses that phrase, he off ends peaceful Muslims around the world, and he

SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD ADDRESSES ARAB AMERICANS AT CAPITOL HILL BREAKFAST

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“We must keep working to ensure that no one is judged by how they look or where they worship, whether that judgment is being made by a member of law enforcement, or by a stranger passing them on the street.”

shows that he doesn’t understand the enemies that we are up against. It’s obvious that the Administration made a deliberate decision to use this term. I believe that this is a serious mistake. It’s time for the President to repudiate this term and instruct people in his Administration to cease using it. What is so hard about referring to the enemy as Al Qaeda, its affi liates, and its sympathizers?

Five years after 9/11, defeating that enemy must be our top priority. Unfortunately, the vast majority of our brave troops aren’t fi ghting Al Qaeda or other terrorist networks. Th ey are in Iraq, a country that had no connection to the 9/11 attacks.

Meanwhile, our poorly defi ned Iraq policy is undermining our ability to defeat the terrorist networks that attacked us on 9/11. To get the fi ght against terrorism back on track, we must redeploy our troops from Iraq. Ending our massive, open-ended military commitment to Iraq will allow Iraqis to take ownership of their own country, and allow the United States to refocus its resources on the threat posed by Al Qaeda and other global terrorist networks.

As we fi ght terrorism, we also have to preserve the basic constitutional principles on which this country was founded. Th at means following the rule of law, with Congress and the President working together to protect our Constitution as we protect the American people. Tragically, rather than following that course, this Administration has compounded its mistakes in fi ghting terrorism by failing, time and again, to protect our rights and freedoms.

First, they rushed the USA Patriot Act through Congress after 9/11. Th at law included some common sense provisions that I supported, such as more border guards and a longer statute of limitations for certain terrorist crimes.

But giving the government the power to obtain the business, library and medical records of completely law-abiding Americans through a secret court – that was something from a preexisting FBI wish list that was simply thrown into the bill.

As bad as parts of the Patriot Act are, the Administration’s illegal wiretapping program, which was publicly revealed last year, is an even more serious violation of the freedoms of our citizens. We now know that for years, the President has authorized his Administration to spy on Americans, on American soil, without getting the legally required permission of a court. When he did that, he broke the law.

As we move forward in the fi ght against terrorism, we must bring terrorists to justice, and we must work together to preserve the basic principles on which this country is founded.

Five years after the 9/11 attacks, the need to prevent racial profi ling is just as urgent, because the fear of racial profi ling is still a presence in the everyday lives

of many Arab Americans.

Law enforcement offi cers across this country are dedicated to enforcing the law and to ensuring justice for every American, and the vast majority don’t participate in the practice of racial profi ling. But it does happen, we all know that. I have introduced a bill to prohibit racial profi ling, and I will continue working on this issue for as long as it takes to fi x this insidious problem.

We must keep working to ensure that no one is judged by how they look or where they worship, whether that judgment is being made by a member of law enforcement, or by a stranger passing them on the street.

We must work against those kinds of judgments, because those moments erode people’s faith in this nation that we love. We cannot allow anything to undermine Americans’ faith in our country, which serves as a beacon of freedom to people around the world, and which has become home to people from around the world.

FEINGOLD: WE HAVE TO PRESERVE BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL

PRINCIPLES

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A Call for Peace

An Interfaith Commemoration of the 5th Anniversary of 9/11We all have stories coming out of 9/11. Th is is our day, too. As Americans, we got hurt. We were in those buildings and we were in those planes. We ended up hurting for the country and looking over our own shoulder…[but] Americans came to us and said, ‘No, you will not be pulled from us. You, too, are American.

It became the measure of patriotism to defend Arab Americans and Muslims.

Th ere is a role for Arab Americans and American Muslims to make America better. Th e challenge falls to us.

It is a blasphemy, it is not Islam to hate and to take innocent human lives.

Th at day I met face to face with a victim of 9/11,” said Magid of performing a religious service on the remains of a Muslim pulled from the wreckage of the World Trade Center in New York.

Th at day I told myself I must do everything I can … to not let them hijack my religion.

I call upon the lessons of the past and hope they don’t fall on deaf ears, the law of Moses, the love of Christ and the peace of Muhammad.

9/11 is an aff ront to all religions that love God and love man.

Th e heart of our nation was seared fi ve years ago today. Th e innocents who died on 9/11 did nothing to deserve their fate.

All of our traditions can be hijacked by those who will use them for evil.

Love is stronger than hate. We have to be engaged in seeing that justice is done for every human being. We must live together and honor and respect each other as human beings.

We’re here because people like you and me believe people can live together in justice and peace. … It’s given to us as creatures of God and as Americans to be better than we ever thought we could be.

AAI PRESIDENT JAMES ZOGBY

IMAM MOHAMED MAGID, ALL DULLES AREA MUSLIM SOCIETY

REV. GEORGE RADOS, SAINTS PETER AND PAUL ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH

RABBI DAVID SAPERSTEIN, RELIGIOUS ACTION CENTER OF REFORM JUDAISM

BISHOP JANE HOLMES DIXON, THE INTERFAITH ALLIANCE

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Working for Peace

Coalition-Building between Arab and Jewish Americans

Activists from nine states and the District of Columbia came together to discuss ways that Jewish and Arab Americans can fi nd common ground and work together to promote Middle East peace.

While a two-state solution was identifi ed as the best way to a lasting peace, participants off ered a host of ideas on how to increase understanding and collaboration between Jewish and Arab Americans.

Suggestions included:

• Begin communication and dialogue on a grassroots level • Organize more forums, peace cafes and teach-ins • Use international law as a framework • Encourage open dialogue with Jewish organizations • Teach confl ict resolution in schools • Move beyond stereotypes • Use personal relationships and the media to build coalitions • Maintain respect through disagreement • Avoid using terms that may infl ame tensions • Promote poll numbers showing that Jewish and Arab Americans share similar goals • Th ink as Americans what is in America’s best interest

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Participating Organizations:

• Arab American Institute • American Task Force for Lebanon • Americans for Peace Now • Israel Policy Forum • Brit Tzedek v’Shalom (Th e Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace)

Humanitarian Crisis

in Lebanon and Palestine

Leaders of three humanitarian organizations discussed the grave crisis in Lebanon and Palestine, and underscored their belief that American policy must address the deteriorating situations in those countries as part of an overarching plan to deal with extremists.

Andrew Whitley of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said his organization has a staff of 14,000 in the West Bank and Gaza who care for one million Palestinian refugees. Seventy-fi ve percent are reliant on aid, due in large part to the lack of economic opportunity in the region. Revival of the Middle East peace process, he stressed, is critical.

Peter Gubser of American Near East Refugee Aid off ered a tragic assessment of the Lebanon confl ict: 1,200 killed and 4,000 injured; 1 million displaced; 14,000 homes destroyed and as many as 40,000 damaged; and an estimated $500 billion in damages. Th e main focus of his organization’s relief eff orts is distributing food and hygiene kits. He emphasized that Lebanon is an indebted government in need of fi nancial assistance, with a poverty rate he called “astronomical.” His staff is currently working with 20,000 children at risk of malnutrition.

John Connolly of Catholic Relief Works, which has a presence in Egypt, Gaza, West Bank, and Lebanon, said his agency works in areas where people’s dignity has been denied. He characterized Gaza as “continuing relentlessly spiraling downward.” Since June, 2,000 have been displaced; 120 Palestinian structures have been destroyed and 160 damaged with an estimated $16 million in damages. At least 60% of Palestinians are living below the poverty level.

When asked how U.S. citizens can help the humanitarian eff ort, the leaders suggested supporting relief organizations, calling on the Bush Administration to build on the agreement with Israelis (and to respect last year’s agreement without conditions), and lobbying elected representatives to end the military occupation of the Palestinian Territories.

ANDREW WHITLEY, JOHN CONNOLLY SPEAKING, NIDAL IBRAHIM

AND PETER GUBSER

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Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) and Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) honored Arab Americans in federal government, many of whom were present and were recognized. Senator Sununu praised Arab Americans for their eff orts to engage their government, and stressed the importance of sharing their experiences and cultural understanding as public offi cials.

Senator Sununu, who is of Palestinian descent, told attendees that Arab Americans can bring a “personal perspective” to congressional debate. His heritage, he said, “certainly made a diff erence in my work on the Foreign Relations Committee. I grew up paying attention to events overseas.”

Eyewitness Accounts: Americans Evacuated from Lebanon Speak OutArab American Legislators

SEN. JOHN SUNUNU

Magda Abu-Fadil Jehan MullinMariam Basma Stephen Sheehi

Neal Hilal Dr. Abbas YoussefJared McCormick Farrah Zughni

Congressmen Charles Boustany (R-LA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) introduced a panel of eyewitnesses who gave their accounts of evacuation from Lebanon. Many shared intimate stories of those dark days as bombs fell around them and of the harrowing journey as they were evacuated. All were thankful of the U.S. eff ort to evacuate them, but many were also critical of U.S. foreign policy prior to and during the war. Some audience members expressed disappointment in Congressmen Boustany’s and Issa’s votes on resolutions related to Lebanon.

Honoring Arab Americans in Federal Government

Americans Evacuated From Lebanon

REP. CHARLES BOUSTANY EVACUEE MARIAM BASMA REP. DARRELL ISSA

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Recognition for Service

to their Country

Members of the Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in the Military. Purple Heart recipient Ismile Althaibani, second from right, was presented an award by Senator John Sununu. Senator Sununu told Althaibani and other Arab American military members at the conference, “We’re grateful for your service.”

SEN. JOHN SUNUNU AND REP. CHARLES BOUSTANY HONOR ARAB AMERICANS IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

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Learning Lessons from History Congressman Michael Honda (D-CA) delivered a moving speech in which he refl ected on the common threads of the attacks on 9/11 and Pearl Harbor and how the Arab American and Japanese American communities have been treated.

“We learned that bad things happen when you allow racial prejudices to take over and when you allow the lack of political leadership to take over,” said Congressman Honda, refl ecting on the internment camps of World War II. “You are not alone. You have brothers and sisters who understand.”

“Our Constitution is never tested in times of tranquility. Our Constitution is tested in times of terror.

“Th e silliness of racism could have gripped us after 9/11, but it didn’t because we had political leadership…You have the tools, the voice and experiences. Make sure no politician can ever say, ‘I didn’t know. I didn’t understand.’”

A Call to Hold Government AccountableFormer Congressman and 9/11 Commissioner Tim Roemer praised the Arab American community for its patriotism, stressed the need for U.S. government offi cials to greater engage that community in the battle against extremists and warned against assuming profi ling practices would make American safer. He also criticized the Bush Administration for not implementing many of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on how to make America safer.

“Today, you, we, America have our work cut out for us,” he told the audience. “On 9/11, American were attacked. Not Republicans or Democrats or Christians. All Americans, including Arab Americans, were attacked.”

“You made a choice… fi ve years after 9/11 to be here in Washington and to learn how to make our government more eff ective”

“You’re here because you care and you are proud of who you are. You’re here because you are proud to be an American.”

REP. MICHAEL HONDA

9/11 COMMISSIONER TIM ROEMER

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