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2006 National Leadership Conference

Posted on Thursday September 7, 2006

Senator Russ Feingold speaks to Arab Americans on the fifth anniversary of 9/11.

Rep. Charles Boustany with Arab American Marines.

Religious leaders representing Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths speak to the audience.

WASHINGTON—Arab Americans commemorated the tragedy of 9/11 with a moment of silence, an interfaith prayer stressing the universal nature of God and their continued unwavering commitment to protecting the U.S. while ensuring that the ideals upon which it was founded are not undermined.

“This is our day too,” said James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), which organized a series of events in remembrance of those dark days. “As Americans, we got hurt too. We were in the buildings and we were in the planes.”

The event was part of an emotional day for Arab Americans, who gathered from across the country in Washington, D.C. yesterday to commemorate the 9/11 tragedy. As part of the Arab American Institute’s National Leadership Conference, Arab Americans also engaged Congressional leaders from both aisles, discussed the continued turmoil in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine and honored those amongst them who are dedicated public servants working in federal government.

Arab Americans also pledged to continue to mobilize for greater political participation and acceptance.

Among the highlights of the gathering, entitled “Healing the Nation: An Arab American Agenda for Security, Liberty and Peace”:

• Religious leaders representing the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths called upon conference attendees and fellow Americans to recognize that the purposeful misinterpretation of a religion in order to promote evil and murder must constantly be guarded against.

o “It is a blasphemy, it is not Islam to hate and to take innocent human lives,” said Imam Mohamed Magid, from the All Dulles Areas Muslim Society.

o “I call upon the lessons of the past and hope they don’t fall on deaf ears,” said the Rev. George Rados from Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, citing “the law of Moses, the love of Christ and the peace of Muhammad.”

o “All of our traditions can be hijacked by those who will use them for evil,” warned Rabbi David Saperstein from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. “The innocents who died on 9/11 did nothing to deserve their fate.”

o “We must live together and honor and respect each other as human beings,” said Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon of The Interfaith Alliance. “We’re here because people like you and me believe people can live together in justice and peace.”

• AAI assembled a group of leaders from 19 coalition partner organizations who rallied around and worked with the Arab American community in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Leaders from organizations such as the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Asian American Justice Center, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and others shared poignant recollections of 9/11 and the united effort since to combat misdirected policies. All pledged to continue to work together to safeguard against government overreach as well as to try and rollback policies that have undermined basic Constitutional principles.

• Leaders of humanitarian organizations discussed the already grave crisis in Lebanon and Palestine, and underscored their belief that American policy must address the deteriorating situations in those countries as part of an overarching plan to deal with extremists.

• Former Congressman and 9/11 Commissioner Tim Roemer praised the Arab American community for its patriotism, stressed the need for U.S. government officials to greater engage it in the battle against extremists and warned against assuming profiling practices would make American safer. He also criticized the Bush Administration for not implementing many of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission on how to make America safer.

o “You made a choice… five years after 9/11 to be here in Washington and to learn how to make our government more effective,” he told the gathered audience. “You’re here because you care and you are proud of who you are. You’re here because you are proud to be an American.”

• Congressman Michael Honda (D-CA) delivered a moving speech in which he reflected on the common threads of the attacks on 9/11 and Pearl Harbor and how the Arab American and Japanese American communities have been treated. “We learned that bad things happen when you allow racial prejudices to take over and when you allow the lack of political leadership to take over,” said Rep. Honda, reflecting on the internment camps of World War II. “You are not alone. You have brothers and sisters who understand.”

• Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) called for greater U.S. involvement in securing the peace in Lebanon and in the rebuilding of that war torn country. Sen. Feingold also called on the Bush Administration to disavow its use of the term “Islamofacists” stressed the important role of Americans of Arab descent, and reiterated his rejection of profiling, domestic spying and other practices employed by the Bush Administration that he believes undermine America’s credibility in the world.

“As we fight terrorism, we must also preserve the basic Constitutional principles this country was founded on,” he said.

• Americans evacuated from Lebanon shared their stories, in pictures and words. They were joined by Congressmen Charles Boustany (R-LA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA). Audience members questioned Reps. Boustany and Issa about their votes on resolutions related to Lebanon.

• In the final session of the conference, on Capitol Hill, Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) honored Arab Americans in federal government, many of who were present and were recognized. Sen. Sununu also praised Arab Americans for their efforts to engage their government, and stressed the importance of sharing their experiences and cultural understanding as public officials.

Sen. Sununu also presented an award to Purple Heart recipient Ismile Althaibani. “We’re grateful for your service and for the service of those who came with you here today,” Sen. Sununu said, pointing to several other uniformed Arab American Marines in the audience.

9/11: Five Years Later

Arab Americans Commemorate 9/11 Tragedy, Reiterate Commitment to Protecting our Country
Stress that Desire for Security Must not Undermine Ideals Country was Founded Upon
AAI Press Release, September 12, 2006

Five Years Later: I’m Still Angry
by James Zogby, Washington Watch, September 11, 2006

Remarks of Senator Russ Feingold at 2006 National Leadership Conference
I am truly honored to be here. The mission of AAI has never been more important than it is today, and I have been proud to work with you over the years.
September 12, 2006

News Coverage of the Conference

Sununu: Heritage adds ‘personal perspective’
Union Leader.com, September 13, 2006

Sen. Sununu honors Arab-Americans in government
Associated Press, September 13, 2006

Sen. Feingold Faults Bush’s War Language
by Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press, September 12, 2006

Rabbi delivers Sept. 11 blessing to Arab Americans
JTA, September 11, 2006

Feingold decries creation of term ‘Islamic facism’
by Craig Gilbert, Milwaukee Journal, September 11, 2006

Interfaith Leaders Nationwide to Unite for 9/11 Anniversary
by Lillian Kwon, The Christian Post, September 5, 2006

Rabbi at interfaith 9/11 event
JTA, August 31, 2006

Schedule of Events

2006 National Leadership Conference Final Report
The 2006 National Leadership Conference is sponsored by the AAI Foundation