American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee

Dear friends,

This is a time of tragedy and challenge for Arab people around the world, from Palestine to Algeria, and from Iraq to Sudan. Here in the United States, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) finds itself in a transitional period as it strives to live up to its mandate at home and abroad.

ADC has risen like a phoenix in the last few years. Although it has greater heights to achieve, it has scaled over the tops of some extremely challenging hills. The work that has been done by the team of Naila Asali, Hala Maksoud, and the ADC staff, has won the rousing endorsement of the membership, which was evident at the National Convention in June. ADC has unequivocally dispelled the stereotypical portrayals of Arab-American activism. ADC has carved out, in an environment that is less than friendly, a niche and a voice for Arab Americans that cannot be ignored.

Today, Ahmad Sbaiti and I pledge to continue the march towards justice and equality. The Board has placed its trust in us, which was expressed generously by a unanimous vote. It is up to us to continue earning their trust and yours, and we pledge our full commitment and relentless effort.

I know, as you all do, that our community is full of energy and passion. It is not a monolith with a single stand on a single issue. We, however, have to strive to focus our energy on that which unites without suspending our individual ability to think and have strong views. It is, however, in our collective and unified effort that we can make an impact, and that we intend to do.

The present state of affairs must not be allowed to continue. Arab and Muslim Americans are fair game for discrimination in its varied and ugly faces, from secret evidence, to airline profiling, to job discrimination, ridiculous and malicious media images; this must not be allowed to continue. The daily life of Palestinians living under occupation is an experience in collective punishment and humiliation; this must not be allowed to continue. The might of a regional power is inflicted on Palestinian civilians and the world watches, debates and pontificates; this must not be allowed to continue. Iraqi families through no fault of their own, watch their children starve and their proud civilization falls apart; this must not be allowed to continue.

This sad tale reflects no more than the simple fact that our people, at home and abroad, are fragmented. It is time that we strive for empowerment and equality. It is time to marshal our untapped resources, in peace and with discipline within the framework of our political and judicial system, to achieve our goals.

We, like others before us in this American mosaic, must work hard to achieve the collective equality that the individual can achieve more readily on his or her own. It is up to us, all of us, to spare our children and grandchildren the images that necessitated the creation of ADC. With your help, we shall.

Sincerely,

Ziad Asali, MD
President, ADC

	15 August 2001
	Open Letter from ADC President

	Dear friends, This is a time of tragedy and challenge for Arab people around the world, from Palestine to Algeria, and from Iraq to Sudan. Here in the United States, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) finds itself in a transitional period as it strives to live up to its mandate at home and abroad. ADC has risen like a phoenix in the last few years. Although it has greater heights to achieve, it has scaled over the tops of some extremely challenging hills. The work that has been done by the team of Naila Asali, Hala Maksoud, and the ADC staff, has won the rousing endorsement of the membership, which was evident at the National Convention in June. ADC has unequivocally dispelled the stereotypical portrayals of Arab-American activism. ADC has carved out, in an environment that is less than friendly, a niche and a voice for Arab Americans that cannot be ignored. Today, Ahmad Sbaiti and I pledge to continue the march towards justice and equality. The Board has placed its trust in us, which was expressed generously by a unanimous vote. It is up to us to continue earning their trust and yours, and we pledge our full commitment and relentless effort. I know, as you all do, that our community is full of energy and passion. It is not a monolith with a single stand on a single issue. We, however, have to strive to focus our energy on that which unites without suspending our individual ability to think and have strong views. It is, however, in our collective and unified effort that we can make an impact, and that we intend to do. The present state of affairs must not be allowed to continue. Arab and Muslim Americans are fair game for discrimination in its varied and ugly faces, from secret evidence, to airline profiling, to job discrimination, ridiculous and malicious media images; this must not be allowed to continue. The daily life of Palestinians living under occupation is an experience in collective punishment and humiliation; this must not be allowed to continue. The might of a regional power is inflicted on Palestinian civilians and the world watches, debates and pontificates; this must not be allowed to continue. Iraqi families through no fault of their own, watch their children starve and their proud civilization falls apart; this must not be allowed to continue. This sad tale reflects no more than the simple fact that our people, at home and abroad, are fragmented. It is time that we strive for empowerment and equality. It is time to marshal our untapped resources, in peace and with discipline within the framework of our political and judicial system, to achieve our goals. We, like others before us in this American mosaic, must work hard to achieve the collective equality that the individual can achieve more readily on his or her own. It is up to us, all of us, to spare our children and grandchildren the images that necessitated the creation of ADC. With your help, we shall. Sincerely, Ziad Asali, MD President, ADC