Kahlil Gibran Awards Honor Women for Women International, Governor John H. Sununu, and Habitat for Humanity
With Tributes to Congressman John D. Dingell and Filmmaker Moustapha Akkad
General Wesley Clark, Congressman John Dingell, and Motion Picture Association of America President Dan Glickman to join AAIF at Awards

April 10th

WAHINGTON- The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) is delighted to honor the recipients of the 2006 Kahlil Gibran ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Awards. The awards honor individuals, corporations, organizations and communities that have demonstrated a commitment to humanitarian values and cultural understanding consistent with the ideals exemplified by renowned Arab American poet and author Kahlil Gibran.

This year’s Gibran recipients include Women for Women International and Habitat for Humanity. Governor John H. Sununu will receive the 2006 Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service.

Congressman John D. Dingell will be presented with a special recognition in honor of five decades of public service to his country and to his constituents. His extraordinary commitment to the concerns of Arab Americans has been a great source of respect and admiration. This recognition demonstrates the Arab American community’s appreciation to the decades Dingell has devoted to the public good and to sound policies. 

Motion Picture Association of America President, Dan Glickman, will be presenting AAIF’s tribute to Moustapha Akkad.  Akkad produced such films as “Mohammad: The Messenger of God,” box-off hit “Halloween,” and “Lion of the Desert. He also produced CBS TV News “As Others See US.” Akkad’s life was tragically taken in the 2005 terrorist bombing in Amman, Jordan. At the time of his death, Akkad was actively soliciting interest in his next project, an epic film about the life of the great Arab leader Saladin. His son, Malek Akkad, will also be with us for the video tribute to his late father.

Among VIP guests already confirmed are NIH Director Elias Zerhouni, General Wesley Clark, U.S. Senator John E. Sununu, Reps. Nick Rahall and Darrell Issa, and the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Morocco, Qatar, and Yemen. Arab American statewide candidates Jeanine Pirro (NY) and Michael Bouchard (MI) will also be attending.

Awardees

Women for Women International will be receiving the Award for International Commitment in recognition for its commitment to enhancing the lives of women worldwide and create lasting change and stability within war-torn societies. As their motto affirms, “stronger women build stronger nations,” Women for Women International believes women, who are often at the heart of conflicts, are inadvertently affected by war and forgotten.

Habitat for Humanity will be receiving the Award for Institutional Achievement in recognition of its efforts to end the cycle of homelessness and poverty that millions of families endure.  Habitat has active programs in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. Additionally, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Habitat announced “Operation Home Delivery,” a program designed to provide housing to those made homeless by the storm.

This year’s Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service award goes to Governor John H. Sununu in recognition for his distinguished career as an educator, engineer, businessman, community leader, and most notably, a statesman. Sununu’s generosity of time, counsel and concern helped provide visibility to the issues Arab Americans care about.  From thoughtful persuasion in matters of U.S. Middle East policy to challenging federal excesses in the wake of September 11, Governor Sununu has earned a reputation for courage, tenacity and integrity which will inspire generations of Arab Americans to come.

WHAT: 8 th Annual Arab American—“Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards” 

WHERE: JW Marriot, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.

WHEN: May 3rd, 5:30pm.

RSVP: Media RSVP to Mira H. Browne (202) 429-9210 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent.  AAI provides policy, research and public affairs.

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1600 K Street NW, Suite 601, Washington, D.C. 20006 · (202) 429-9210 · FAX (202) 429-9214 http://www.aaiusa.org  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)