WASHINGTON — Former President Bill Clinton is to accept the ADC Global Leadership Award and deliver keynote remarks on Saturday, June 13 during the 2009 American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee National Convention in Washington D.C.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton

The three-day convention is also to feature addresses by Bahraini ambassador to the U.S., Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, U.S. Reps. Keith Ellison, D-Minn, John Conyers, D-Detroit, and John Dingell, D-Dearborn, and professors John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago and Saad Eddin Ibrahim of Harvard University, among others.
A civil rights awards reception, economic and literary forums and youth musical performances are also among the events planned at the annual gathering.

ADC is expected to present local Palestinian peace and justice activists Hasan and Shereen Newash with an Alex Odeh Memorial Award.

A Lifetime Excellence in Journalism Tribute is to be presented in honor of iconic Arab American journalist Helen Thomas, dean of the White House Press Corps.

For more on the convention, visit www.adc.org/convention.

FBI stands its ground on spying in mosques

LOS ANGELES — The storm that emerged in the Muslim community over the use of undercover FBI agents posing as worshippers in U.S. mosques has prompted the bureau’s director to step in and defend the measure. FBI Director Robert Mueller described the espionage operations as part of domestic criminal responsibilities that relate to counterterrorism and counterintelligence, confirming that there will be no change in FBI priorities during the Obama White House.

“I would not expect that we would in any way take our foot off the pedal of addressing counterterrorism,” Mueller told reporters in Los Angeles.

The remarks came after the American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Elections issued a statement in which it said that the FBI had sent “agents provocateur” into mosques in California to ask the faithful to spy on Muslim leaders and worshippers. The Muslim organization has also called on the Justice Department to investigate complaints on the issue.

“We don’t investigate places, we investigate individuals,” Mueller said. “To the extent that there may be evidence or other information of criminal wrongdoings, then we will … undertake those investigations,” Mueller added. “We will continue to do it.”

The FBI director described U.S. relations with American Muslims as “very good” but without providing details mentioned that there are disagreements. With Muslim leaders suspecting that since at least 2006, the FBI has been making efforts to infiltrate Muslim organizations in the area, the remarks by Mueller failed to allay the community’s concerns.

“It doesn’t alleviate anything. It only continues to show the sheer arrogance demonstrated by the bureau in holding Muslim community members, clerics, mosques, as suspects,” said Shakeel Syed, the executive of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California.

Tony Award winner has local connection

Detroit-area-native Gregory Jbara on June 9 received a Tony Award, also known as the American Theatre Wing’s Antoinette Perry Award, for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. The Lebanese American was awarded for his role as “Jackie Elliot,” or “Dad,” in “Billy Elliot: The Musical,” a role that he originated.

Gregory Jbara

“I’m just thrilled it’s happening on this job because this job has been the most gratifying,” Jbara said after winning the Tony Award. “To have this happen with this role is mind numbing.”
Jbara was born and raised in Westland and transferred from the University of Michigan School of Music to Julliard, where he studied acting. He now resides in both New York and Los Angeles with his wife Julie, and two sons Zachary and Aiden.

Jbara has also received the Outer Critics Circle, and Drama Desk Awards for Best/Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for the same role.

“Billy Elliot: The Musical” won a total of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Choreography.

For more information on the actor, visit www.gregoryjbara.com.

Shaheen wins independent book award for “Guilty”

NEW YORK — Arab American media scholar Jack Shaheen has received the ForeWord 2008 Book of the Year Award for his book “Guilty: Hollywood’s Verdict on Arabs After 911,” at the 2009 BookExpo America in New York City.

Jack Shaheen

A total of 220 books, all independently published in 2008, were selected in 61 categories by a panel of librarian and bookseller judges. Shaheen’s book was awarded in the social science category.
“Programs like the Book of the Year Awards help level the playing field,” said ForeWord’s founder and publisher Victoria Sutherland, at the awards ceremony. “Simply look around at the other national awards programs. There seems to be a prejudice against anything that isn’t from a larger house. ForeWord honors only those books coming from the independent community, giving them the value they deserve.”

Shaheen is an internationally acclaimed author and media critic. A former CBS news consultant on Middle East Affairs, Shaheen’s lectures and writings speak on racial and ethnic stereotypes of Asians, African Americans, Native Americans and others, as well as the damaging effects.

Dr. Jack Shaheen is also the author of “Nuclear War Films,” “Arab and Muslim Stereotyping in American Popular Culture,” “The TV Arab” and the award-winning book and documentary “Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People.”

Detroit, Atlanta travelers subject to trial security program

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on May 28 began a biometric fingerprint procedure for international travelers.

The program requires all non-U.S. citizens leaving the U.S. to have their fingerprints collected prior to departure.  The procedure is part of a pilot program at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airports.

According to DHS, since 2004 the collection of biometrics has helped aid the organization in preventing identity theft, the use of fraudulent documents, criminal activity and immigration violators from entering the U.S.

“Collecting biometrics allows us to determine faster and more accurately whether non-U.S. citizens have departed the United States on time or remained in the country illegally,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. “The pilot programs in Atlanta and Detroit will help us determine and develop standard procedures for use at airports across the country to expedite legitimate travel and enhance our nation’s security.” 

Biometrics are taken from non-U.S citizens by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Detroit-Metro airport prior to flight boarding. Non-U.S. citizens departing from the Atlanta airport should expect to have their fingerprints collected by Transportation Security Administration officers at security checkpoints. 

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Regional Director and Senior National Advisor for Public Affairs Imad Hamad believes the procedure is a positive one if it proves to enhance national security. But Hamad is concerned about uncertainty over who exactly will be subject to the fingerprinting.  

“Is it green card, student visitors or visa holders? They (DHS officials) were not able to give us a clear answer to this and said it would be under officer discretion, which raised serious concerns,” Hamad said.

“We don’t want people to be stopped or detained at airports and have to undergo great measures and challenges.”

Friends show support for embattled lawyer

DEARBORN — A diverse crowd gathered in the banquet hall of La Pita restaurant on June 5 to show support for indicted attorney Tim Attalla who pleaded not guilty on May 15 to drug conspiracy charges brought against him in U.S. District Court.

Supporters of indicted attorney Tim Attalla , L, greet him during an event to raise legal funds for him in Dearborn on June 5. PHOTO: Natasha Dado

The event included testimonies from Hispanic, Jewish and Arab American community leaders.
“We feel, as a group of friends, 100 percent of the allegations are absurd. The truth will prevail,” said Suehaila Amen, a friend of Attalla.

An emotional Attalla spoke on stage and gave thanks to the group.  

“I am the luckiest man in the world because of all of you.  That burden that the government put on me has shrunk to a micro-organism because of all your support,” Attalla said.

“I am ready to fight. I’m not afraid at all. I have truth on my side, so I have nothing to worry about.”

Iraqi ambassador to speak at fundraiser

Iraq’s ambassador to the U.S. Samir Sumaida’ie is scheduled to speak at the first annual fundraising banquet and awards gala benefiting local aid organization For Victims of War and Poverty, to be held June 18, 7 p.m. at the Farmington Hills Manor, 23666 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills.

Iraqi ambassador to the U.S. Samir Sumaida’ie

For Victims of War and Poverty is an organization founded a year ago by Nidhal Garmo in an effort to help victims of war and poverty receive medical care.
“I have been working at this for seven years,” Garmo said. “I was doing this by myself, just sending what I could to families. Then I worked with the World Medical Relief and also the Assyrian Medical Society.”

According to the organization’s website, they collect and send medical equipment, medical supplies, laboratory instruments, and medicine to nations around the globe, especially Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, and Africa.

“We hope to raise as much money as possible for surgical equipment and supplies,” Garmo said, “and for two orphanages in Baghdad that we are in the process of opening.”

Awards are to be given to George Sampson and Rita Rezlik, of World Medical Relief, Dr. Samir Johna, a surgeon from the Assyrian Medical Society and to Sumaida’ie.

For more information, visit www.fvwp.com or contact Nidhal Garmo at 248.790.7848 or Dr. Issa Duqum a 248.520.5509.

Seven charged in mortgage scheme

DEARBORN — Investigators from the Michigan Mortgage Task Force arrested four Dearborn residents, two Detroit residents and a New Jersey man on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into a mortgage fraud network.

Eddie Zaben, 39, of Dearborn was charged with criminal enterprise in the alleged scheme. Two others, Dagoberto Reyes, 53, of Detroit, and Evelyn Santana, 53, of Union City, NJ, were charged with identity theft.

Four others including 27-year-old Mohamed Beydoun of Detroit and three other Dearborn residents, 29-year-old Memoud Makky, 25-year-old Ali Hassan Haidous, and 26-year-old Balil Hashem, were charged with uttering and publishing as part of the scheme.

All seven defendants were also charged with various counts of false pretense. It is alleged that Zaben paid operatives at every level of the mortgage process to defraud lending institutions with phony applications from his Mya’s Investments business of Lincoln Park, allowing him to obtain fraudulent mortgages on eight properties.

Arab, Muslim groups condemn holocaust museum shooting

Washington-based institutions the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) both released statements condemning the recent shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum here.

A forensic investigator inspects bullet holes in the glass entry doors at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, June 11, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Theiler

The shooting was carried out by 88-year-old white supremacist James von Brunn at the museum on June 10. An African American security guard, Stephen T. Johns, was killed and another guard was shot before authorities opened fire on von Brunn, critically wounding him.
“This act of hate against the Holocaust Museum in our nation’s capital is revolting,” said ADC National Executive Director Kareem Shora. “Once again, ADC is consistent in condemning hate-motivated crimes and any attacks aimed at civilians no matter who the victims or the perpetrators may be.”

James W. von Brunn, 88. REUTERS/Handout

MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati said that the incident will “only strengthen our commitment to combating intolerance in all forms through education and dialogue.
“Our prayers go out to the victim’s family,” he said.

 

Community honors philathropist

DEARBORN — Philanthropist and 1947 Fordson High School graduate William Brehm was honored with a charity dinner by the Brehm Scholars’ Society for his new Brehm Center for Diabetes research at Byblos Banquet Hall on June 5.

Abbas Alawieh, L, who received a William Brehm scholarship last year as a Fordson High School graduate, with Brehm during a fundraiser for the Brehm Center for Diabetes in Dearborn on June 5. Alawieh and other Brehm scholars organized the event. PHOTO: Nick Meyer/TAAN

The event, organized by a group of Arab American students, raised $7,000 raised for the state-of-the-art center, which is scheduled to open in spring 2010 at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and will be dedicated to finding a cure for the disease, prevalent in the Arab American community.
Since 2004, Brehm has provided Fordson graduates with 22 full-ride scholarships to the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. The Brehm Scholars group is comprised of recipients from that group.