U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., was the keynote speaker at the Annual Civil Rights Luncheon

WASHINGTON — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee held its 30th annual convention June 4-10 here in the nation’s capital. This year’s theme was 30 Years of Advocacy and Achievement: Strngthening the Voice of Equality and Justice.

U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., was the keynote speaker at the Annual Civil Rights Luncheon. Among other things, Mr. Holder noted how the U.S. government can better serve the Arab-American community through enforcing the law “neutrally and fairly.” He referenced specific policies and actions adopted by the Department of Justice to ensure that the rights and liberties of all citizens are protected. He stressed the administration’s dedication to outreach and mutual trust, thereby intending to eliminate feelings of alienation in the Arab American community. Mr. Holder received the Outstanding Leadership and Dedication to Public Service Award; John P. Contini, Esq., received the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award; and Muslim Advocates received the Excellence in Advocacy Award. Sara Najjar-Wilson, President of ADC/ADC Research Institute (ADCRI), presided over the luncheon.

In the Culture and Commerce – Bridging the Economic World forum, speakers highlighted the vital and unique contributions made by Arab American businesses to the U.S. economy and the ways in which the Arab American community can strengthen such businesses. Speakers included Mr. Rick Wade, Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Commerce; Dr. Ashley “Ashraf” Ansara, Founder & CEO of Regency Holding Corporation; and Mr. Assad Jebara, President and CEO of Zana-Di Jeans/Alpha Garment, Inc., and ADC National Board Vice Chair. ADC Legal Director, Abed Ayoub, served as moderator. During the forum, Mr. Wade explained how the Department works with, and provides services to, Arab  American businesses and other business owners. Mr. Jebara explained how respect is earned through enduring hardship and stated that “if you’re willing to work hard, you will have the opportunity;” and Dr. Ansara noted that Arab Americans must not forget their roots, but must look forward and “hold on to their dreams.”

Bus transportation from the hotel to the Israeli Embassy was provided to convention members to protest the Israeli siege on Gaza and the attack on the “Gaza Freedom Flotilla.” With large signs in hand, the group strode along the sidewalks outside the embassy for over an hour while chanting phrases such as “end the siege on Gaza, now,” “free Gaza” and “end the occupation.”

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain held a dinner reception in honor of ADC’s 30th Anniversary celebration. Ambassador Houda Ezra Nonoo welcomed the guests as they were treated to a buffet of traditional Bahraini food.

Hosted by the Washington, DC Chapter of ADC, the Jack Shaheen Mass Communication Scholarship night recognized future Arab American leaders in mass communications. Dr. Jack Shaheen introduced and awarded the 2010 winners – Hiyam Abousaid, Layal Brown, Ashley Close, Ameera David, Carmel Delshad and Candice Haddad.

The “U.S. Challenges in the Middle East” panel, which had the largest attendance of all panels, tackled issues of foreign policy relations between the U.S. and the Middle East. Speakers on the panel included Dr. Rima Khalaf, Former Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States at the United Nations Development Program and Former Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan; Mr. Jeffrey D. Feltman, Assistant Secretary of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State and former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon; and Mr. Daniel Levy, Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Middle East Task Force at the New America Foundation, and a Senior Fellow and Director of the Prospects for Peace Initiative at The Century Foundation. Dr. Daoud “David” Khairallah, attorney and adjunct professor at Georgetown University and John Hopkins University, served as the moderator. Ambassador Feltman responded to a question about the difference between President Obama’s and President George W. Bush’s Middle East policy by noting that the Obama administration is the first ever U.S. administration to take the position that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is in the national interest of the United States.

American broadcast journalist and host of Democracy Now!, Ms. Amy Goodman, highlighted the importance of independent media and stressed the need for journalists today to refuse to remain silent, as they should always strive to report truthfully and accurately. Introduced by Dr. Jack Shaheen, Ms. Goodman filled her lecture with anecdotes as she urged the audience to think independently in the face of the misconceptions and lies often buried in mainstream. With “Democracy Now!” as her model, Ms. Goodman underscored how all media should derive from the people and their stories, rather than from second-hand reports often clouded by misinformation. To emphasize her point of half truths in media, Ms. Goodman compared the ways in which alternative media covered the BP oil spill to that of the mainstream media. “‘We will not be silent’ should be the Hippocratic Oath of media today,” she said to a room filled with applause as she concluded her lecture.

The Civil Rights — Unfinished Business panel discussion addressed how to protect U.S. national security while safeguarding civil rights, both essential American interests often seen as mutually exclusive. Panelists included the Honorable Thomas “Tom” Perez, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice; Ms. Margo Schlanger, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Department of Homeland Security; and private practitioners Ms. Linda Moreno, Esq., and Mr. Charlie Swift, Esq. Mr. Abed Ayoub, ADC Legal Director, served as the moderator. The panel members discussed, among other important matters, the competing interests of national security and civil rights and civil liberties. They acknowledged the need for carefully developed national security policies and the close monitoring of the implementation of those policies, in order to ensure that constitutional rights are not undermined.

At the performing arts presentation, Ms. Betty Shamieh, a Palestinian-American playwright, captivated the audience as she performed excerpts of her off-Broadway plays, including Chocolate in Heat, The Black Eyed, and Roar. Ms. Shamieh is the first Palestinian–American playwright to have her work premiere off-Broadway, and her plays are currently being taught at universities throughout the United States. Following her monologues, Ms. Shamieh participated in a question-and-answer session that addressed issues of empowerment for Arab American artists and intellectuals.

Ralph Nader, consumer and environmental rights activist and former presidential candidate, was the keynote speaker for the Saturday evening gala dinner. Nader and spoke about a wide range of issues of importance to all Americans, including the sad lack of free discussion of the Palestinian issue. Congressman James P. Moran, the recipient of the 2010 ADC Legislative Achievement Award, also addressed the Gala attendees. Congressman Moran was recognized for his outstanding leadership in Congress and his dedicated service to his constituents and to the Nation. Mr. Michel Moushabeck received the Alex Odeh Memorial Award, in recognition of his unwavering dedication in empowering Arab Americans and his commitment to education through artistic expression. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) received the Global Humanitarian Award, in appreciation for its six decades of outstanding service on behalf of Palestinian refugees.

The Palestine: 17 years after Oslo, what’s next? panel discussion focused on the current state of Palestinian affairs 17 years after the Oslo Accords. The distinguished panelists included Dr. Karen AbuZayd, former Commissioner-General of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA); His Excellency, Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat, PLO Representative to the United States; and Dr. Asa’d Ghanem, Senior Lecturer at the School of Political Sciences, University of Haifa. Dr. Elizabeth Campell, Senior Advocate at Refugees International, was the moderator. The panel session, which included a lively debate and active participation from the audience, covered several key issues — such as the lessons learned from the Oslo Accords and the fundamental right of return of Palestinian refugees. Dominating the discussion, however, was a debate on how to ensure the efficacy and democratic legitimacy of the Palestinian government.

Dr. Clovis Maksoud, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Center for the Global South at the American University, and former Ambassador of the League of Arab States, was the keynote speaker at the annual Sunday Palestinian Luncheon.

Dr. Maksoud spoke of the urgent need to address the illegal Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and stated that the issues of settlements and refugees should be at the heart of any peace negotiations. Dr. Shafic Budron, ADC National Board member, served as the moderator. Mr. Ramzi Kysia and Ms. Jennifer Lowenstein were the recipients of the Rachel Corrie Awards, for their tireless efforts to end the siege of Gaza and their participation in eyewitness delegations to occupied Palestinian territory. Ms. Hanan and Mr. Farah Munayyer, co-founders of the Palestinian Heritage Foundation (PHF), were the recipients of The Hala Salaam Maksoud Award, for their community activism and promotion of Palestinian and Arab culture. The late Rana Siam was posthumously awarded the Rose Nader Award, for her unwavering dedication and commitment to values of equality and justice; her award was accepted by the Siam family.