AAIF Announces 2006 Kahlil Gibran ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Awards Winners

Arab American Institute Foundation

Posted Feb 1, 2006      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version
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WASHINGTON- The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) is delighted to announce 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 be AAIF’s honored guest, as he receives the 2006 Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service.

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.

Through twelve years of service, Women for Women International has supported survivors of war in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Kosovo, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Colombia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The organization has assisted more then 24,000 women, and has distributed nearly $14 million in direct aid and micro-credit loans, trained thousands of women in rights awareness, and helped thousands more to start their own small businesses. 

Past recipients of this award include International Save the Children Alliance, American Near East Refugee Aid, Mercy Corps, Reebok International Ltd., The Grameen Global Network, Aga Khan Foundation, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights, and former UNESCO Director H.E Federico Mayor.

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. 

Founded in 1976, Habitat has built more then 200,000 houses for families in need throughout the world, providing more then one people with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Through community and volunteer labor, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner families who invest hundreds of hours of their own time and labor. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable no-interest loans.

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.

Past recipients of this award include Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies; Rock the Vote, Amnesty International, Reading is Fundamental, ALSAC/ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the YWCA of the USA.

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 served as Chief of Staff to former President George H.W. Bush, and was subsequently appointed Counselor to the President. Prior to joining the White House staff, Sununu was elected to three consecutive terms as Governor of New Hampshire. 

Sununu was the guest speaker at AAI’s first tribute to the Republican National Convention in 1988, where in honor of the event, then Presidential candidate George H.W. Bush sent his son, George W. Bush, to speak on his behalf. 

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.

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