Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, June/July 2019, pp. 51-52
Arab American Activism
By Delinda C. Hanley
More than 300 community leaders, dignitaries, members of Congress and friends celebrated Arab America’s “National Arab American Heritage Month” at an event on April 30 in Washington, DC. Guests were encouraged to wear their traditional Arab fashions.
The event began with a reception featuring examples of Arab culture. Attendees sampled Yemeni coffee and then visited a fortune teller to have their coffee cups read. Next they could visit a henna station to decorate their hands with traditional designs. Of course, the reception also featured Arabic food, including a falafel bar, and beverages from Palestine—Bethlehem wine, Birzeit beer and Ramallah arak provided by Terra Sancta. To perfect the ambiance, Syrian oudist/vocalist Muaz Edriss and his band performed favorite tunes.
Following the reception, guests joined an authentic zeffi for Palestinian American Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who was followed up a winding staircase by an entourage of more than 30 people, ululating, singing and playing percussional instruments. Tlaib joked that this zeffi was more impressive than the one at her own wedding in Palestine!
Warren David, president of Arab America, welcomed guests and announced that his organization received more than 105 proclamations from 28 states commemorating National Arab American Heritage Month.
Dr. Amal David, director of operations and community outreach at Arab America, introduced Tlaib, who was her student in a public high school in Detroit. Tlaib told attendees that they should never change their views in order to fit in. “You don’t have to change anything about yourself,” she declared. “I want you to believe that, don’t let them believe that our position around Palestinian rights is crazy. It isn’t—it’s about human dignity.”
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) commiserated with her audience, who may be shocked by unconstitutional travel bans and inflammatory language directed against Arabs and Muslims. She also described her efforts to get the U.S. out of Yemen and her desire to see the war end.
House Majority Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) urged listeners to help make this country’s greatness apply fairly and equitably to all of its citizens.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) talked about her new legislation which would ensure “that no other president will target a group like [Muslims] again.” She noted that already 100 members of Congress have co-sponsored the “No Ban Act,” which would repeal the Muslim Ban.
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) decried the “violence and crimes motivated by prejudice that are unfortunately a daily reality that we all face.” She urged people to “stand together in our humanity to fight back so that our children in this society will not inherit a society like the one we have inherited.”
Rep. Debra Haaland (D-NM) said, “Represented by countless musicians, doctors, artists, scientists and multiple Nobel laureates, Arab Americans have made extraordinary contributions to our country since the first major wave of immigrants arrived here more than a century ago.”
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser presented a proclamation on behalf of the 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia and also noted the many contributions by Arab Americans to this nation.
Ambassador of the Arab League Salah Sarhan noted that his organization has dedicated a bureau for Arab expatriates in Cairo. Since 2012 the Arab League has worked to help Arab Americans celebrate their heritage and community.
