Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, March 1999, pages 105-106

Arab-American Activism

Discovering What Brings Arab-Americans Together at the Ana Alarabi Festival

Thousands of Arab Americans gathered at Washington, DC’s new Ronald Reagan Building to enjoy the national ana alarabi (Arab Cultural Heritage) festival from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6. Poets, educators, dancers, musicians and artists from the Arab world and the United States entertained nearly 10,000 participants.

For the second time, ana alarabi was hosted by the Arab Network of America (ANA). This year’s festival manifested a great deal of organizational maturity in the variety of events and activities. The exhibit area was a gathering of almost all the Arab countries, presenting a culture that is rich, old and colorful. Several Arab embassies, relief organizations, Arab-American businesses, and artists all created a cheerful view for the large crowds. The cultural presentations were especially popular, with performances of traditional music and dance taking place throughout the festival.

A distinctive feature of ana alarabi was the participation of legendary Arab singers Marcel Khalife from Lebanon, Mohamad Wardi from Sudan, award-winning film producer Mustapha Aqad, and a fashion show presented by internationally acclaimed Arab-American designer Joseph Abboud.

With an Arab-American community now estimated at 4.5 million people and growing at an average rate of 5 percent annually, the ana alarabi promotes awareness of a shared national heritage in which future generations in the United States can take pride

—Raja’ M. Abu-Jabr

Arab Americans Make Gains in California Democratic Party

The Arab American Caucus of the California Democratic Party announced several victories for Arab Americans and Muslim Americans in the California State Democratic Central Committee (CSDCC).

In Southern California Rima Nashashibi of Seal Beach won a contested election for vice chair of the Orange County Democratic Central Committee on Jan. 10. The previous day she had been elected delegate to the California State Democratic Central Committee (CSDCC) and vice chair of the 67th Assembly district.

On Jan. 9, Aneela Ghouri of Garden Grove was elected a delegate to the CSDCC. She also was elected as the 68th Assembly district secretary.

Eileen Ansari of Diamond Bar, whose husband is a Pakistani American, was elected vice chair of the 68th Assembly district secretary. Mrs. Ansari was the Democratic Party nominee for the House of Representatives for California’s 41st Congressional District in the November 1998 national general election, but lost to her Republican opponent.

Sakher Hijazi of Mission Viejo was appointed a delegate to the CSDCC by the Democratic Party 71st Assembly District nominee.

In Northern California, Fadi Saba of San Jose was re-elected as a delegate to the CSDCC from the 23rd Assembly District.

In addition, Mervat Attia of San Jose was elected as a delegate to the CSDCC from the 23rd Assembly District.

Ziad Ziadeh of San Jose was elected a delegate to the CSDCC from the 23rd Assembly District, and also was elected executive board representative to the California State Democratic Party Executive Board.

For further information on California Democratic Party Arab American Caucus activities, in Northern California contact Fadi Saba at (408) 279-3879, and in Southern California contact Rima Nashashibi at (562) 598-9288.

—Abdullah Khayat

Relief Organization Needs Medical Supplies for Iraq

Life for Relief and Development is a relief organization that has been raising funds and sending medicines, medical supplies, blankets, bandages, and cotton to Iraq to help alleviate the suffering in Iraq since the bombing began on Dec 16. The group, which has all the necessary licenses from the U.S. Treasury Department to deliver food and medicine to Iraq, has distributed 40 pallets of medical supplies to Baghdad hospitals. Among items urgently needed are: external fixators, Foley catheters, stomach tubes (large), sterile gloves, Flamazin, bandages, disinfectant, antibiotics, syringes, IV fluid, blankets, and tents. Please contact Dr. Khalil Jassemm, P.O. Box 236, Southfield, MI 48037, (248) 424-7493 or e-mail reliefusa@aol.com if you can help.

—Delinda Hanley

Middle East Medical Society Discusses Peace Process

The inaugural meeting of The Middle East Medical Society took place on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. The three founders are Drs. Raz Winiarsky and Richard Seldes, residents at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, and Dr. Allyson T. Gage, who holds a Ph.D. from the U. of Pennsylvania. The aim of the new society is to encourage functional dialog in a conflict-free environment.

Dr. Najat Arafat Khalil of the Palestinian-American Congress spoke about the difficulties and rewards of establishing dialog between Jewish- and Palestinian-American women. She emphasized how important it is to convince U.S. leaders that human relations and social services are important and affect the political situation.

Dr. Abass Alavi, an Iranian-born specialist in nuclear medicine, said he had not realized that there were problems between Jews and Arabs until he came to the United States. He suggested that medicine could be a model for overcoming boundaries, be they religious or nationalistic.

Dr. Dan Shanit was recruited a year ago by former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres to be the chairman of telecommunications for the Peres Center for Peace. He said that including health in the peace process produces a win/win situation. In addressing Palestinian needs, Dr. Shanit listed medical training, clinical services, and medical technology. He said that the various medical projects are the means to the goal, which is cooperation, a viewpoint that was seconded by Barbara Zasloff, the vice-chairman of Seeds of Peace.

A steering committee was established to explore potential projects. The organization also has established a Web site: http:/www. memed.org

—Jane Adas