Articles
Bulletin Board, Page 62
Upcoming Events, Announcements & Obituaries
—Compiled by Adam Chamy
Upcoming Events
“American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein,” by documentary filmmakers David Ridgen and Nicolas Rossier, will have its New York premiere Feb. 11 and 12 at 7 and 9 p.m., and Feb. 13 at 5, 7 and 9 p.m., at the Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003. For more information on the film and other screenings, visit <www.americanradicalthefilm.com>.
The Off-Broadway Twilight Theatre Company will present “PALESTINE” by Najla Said, from Feb. 6 through March 21, 2010 at the 4th Street Theatre, 83 E. 4th St. in New York City. The play, by the daughter of the late Edward Said, is a personal journey from the “toniest private schools,” to the “stench of Gaza,” through two wars, the horrors of 9/11, and encounters with the likes of Yasser Arafat, “cheeky” photographers and, of course, her esteemed family. Tickets are $20. For more information visit <www.twilighttheatrecompany.org> or call (212) 686-4444.
A new exhibition at The Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, “From Mocha to Latte: Coffee, the Arab World and the $4 Cup, ”explores the effects of coffee on the history of the Arab world—and, consequently, the rest of the world as well. The exhibit, which runs from Jan. 28 to Aug. 15, is free with museum admission.
The American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine will hold its annual Holy Land Trip and Mid Year Meeting in Ramallah from March 31 to April 16. For details on travel arrangements from San Francisco and Chicago, as well as side trips to Jordan and other West Bank towns and cities, visit <www.afrp.org>.
The Arab American Institute will host its Twelfth Annual 2010 Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity”Awards Gala, April 21, 2010 at 5:30 p.m., at the Renaissance Hotel, 999 Ninth St. NW, in Washington, DC. For more information visit <www.aaiusa.org>.
Announcements
Call for nominations to the ADC Board of Directors. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is seeking nominations for two vacant Board positions. Members who are able to strengthen ADC’s grassroots, assist in raising funds, broaden the membership base, and expand the organization are encouraged to nominate themselves. All nominations must be mailed by Feb. 4 to ADC Nominating Committee, 1732 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007. For more information visit <www.adc.org>.
The 2010 Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship is open for Arab-American junior, senior, and graduate students who excel in media studies. The scholarship provides $1,000 toward the cost of tuition. Application deadline is April 1. For more information visit <www.adc.org> or call ADC at (202) 244-2990.
The Free Gaza movement is seeking to send at least six ships to Gaza this spring and is calling upon all NGOs, human rights organizations and communities around the world to join in the effort. Those wishing to help by organizing a fund-raiser, suggesting passengers, and offering support are asked to e-mail < This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. > or visit <www.freegaza.org>. To contribute by donating paper, ink or books to Free Gaza’s Right to Read Campaign, visit <www.freegaza.org/right-to-read>.
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land. So far six pilgrimages have formed in cities across the United States. To organize your own pilgramages or join an existing one, contact Gail Freeman, HCEF Living Stones Pilgrimage coordinator, at (866) 871-4234 or < This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. >.
Obituaries
Former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, 69, known by the nickname Gus Dur, died Dec. 30, 2009 at Jakarta’s Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital during heart surgery to remove a blood clot. The country’s third president, he ruled from 1999 to 2001, during Indonesia’s difficult early years of democratization. Known for his involvement in peace efforts with Indonesia’s secessionist movements and for his outspoken personality, he was a strong proponent of moderate Islam and democratic reform. He nevertheless was criticized in the latter part of his rule as becoming increasingly high-handed, and eventually was forced out of office amid allegations of corruption and incompetence in handling the economy. He nevertheless remained popular among a wide range of Indonesians, as evidenced by the thousands who attended his burial in Jombang, East Java. Current Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared a week of mourning and called Wahid one of Indonesia’s greatest leaders.
Businessman and philanthropist Hasib Sabbagh, 90, died Jan. 12 in a Cleveland, OH hospital. Born to a distinguished Christian Palestinian family in Tiberius, Palestine, he established the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) in Haifa in 1943. Since relocating to Beirut after the establishment of Israel, CCC has grown into the largest multinational corporation in the Middle East and one of the largest contracting companies in the world. Sabbagh also served for many years as a member of the Palestine National Council (PNC) and was a known advocate of a two-state solution. He also was deputy chairman of the Health Care Organization of the West Bank and Gaza, and chairman of the Palestinian Students Fund. A noted philanthropist, he founded the Diana Tamari Sabbagh Foundation, a healthcare and education nonprofit organization, and supported such institutions as The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as numerous universities.
