Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards gala

EVENTS

04/29/09

More than 700 guests attended the 11th annual Kahlil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Awards gala on April 23rd. it was hosted by the Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF).  The event was sponsored in part by the Moroccan American Center.
The black tie affair began with opening remarks from Assistant to the President Valerie Jarrett who transmitted greetings from president Obama and a promise to treat this community and all communities on an equal footing.

Queen Noor of Jordan was on hand to present the Halaby Award for public service to Algerian American Dr. Zerhouni.
The awardees were The Marshall Legacy Institute, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. and Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni , former NIH Director.
The participation of US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, whose family has Lebanese roots, and Jarrett, who was born in Iran, represents a warmer and more open attitude toward Arab-Americans by the  Obama administration. The following day, Friday, April 25th, the White House hosted a group of Arab American community leaders from across the country. Discussions with white house officials included the Middle East conflict, civil liberties issues in the country and the fallout from economic crisis.
Tina Tchen, Director, White House Office of Public Liaison, stressed the importance of two-way communications. Dan Shapiro, Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the National Security Council briefed the gathering on the latest Middle East peace initiative.  Cecilia Munoz, Director, White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs emphasized need for the community to speak out about domestic immigration issues. Michele Bond, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas Citizens Services, Department of State, addressed the issues surrounding the difficulties American citizens face abroad. Juliette Kayyem, Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Programs at the Department of Homeland Security, spoke about changes in policies at the Department of Homeland Security.
And Michael Straumantis, Chief of Staff to the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison, closed the briefing with a promise of a continuing dialogue with the community.

 MoroccoBoard News Service

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