Issue No. 603
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12 - 18 September 2002 Issue No. 603 Heritage |
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In this together
Arab-Americans and their brethren in the region are putting their heads together to further their common interests. In listening to the Americans' plans, Willa Thayer is reminded that money talks
Few would contest that Arabs worldwide have had a rough time since 11 September. In the occupied territories, the Palestinians have experienced the full force of the apparatus of the occupation directed at them with renewed vigour; meanwhile, Iraqis face the terrifying prospect of a military siege by the US. But Arab-Americans, suddenly thrust into the harshest of spotlights by the events of last fall, are not taking these developments sitting down. At a panel discussion hosted last week by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt entitled, "Getting our point of view across! Working with Arab-American associations", leaders of a number of US organisations spoke about making Arabs count with US policy-makers and the way the media -- including that in the Arab world -- has been adding to their woes.
Up until last fall, the major political challenge faced by Arab-Americans was their relative invisibility, said Ziad Asali, president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). Before 11 September "Arab-Americans existed outside the consciousness of Americans. Now we are part of it in a negative way."
In addition to matters of personal safety and discrimination in daily life, this negative image has meant an additional barrier that Arab-Americans face to promoting the interests of their community on national and international matters. Such problems, panel guests conceded, are not amenable to overnight solutions. Asali said, "There is a scandalous imbalance of power in the United States. We need to mobilise and energise the Arab-American community; we need to connect and coordinate. However, there are no quick fixes. We will, if we start today, be able to make a serious difference 10 years from now."
Towards fostering such change, panel participants highlighted two initiatives scheduled for the next two years. The Arab-American National Museum and Cultural Centre is scheduled to be open in 2004 in Dearborn, Michigan. The project is the brainchild of ACCESS (the Arab Community Centre for Economic and Social Services), a 32-year-old grass-roots organisation, part of whose mission is educational outreach. As Ismael Ahmed, executive director of the organisation explained, the museum's mandate is to "tell the story of Arab-American contributions in the United States instead of allowing others to tell our story". Ahmed Chabbani, chairman of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, referring to the museum, said, "People respect you when they know who you are."
The other project is a conference to be held in Detroit that would foster coordination and partnerships between people and organisations in the Arab world and in the Arab- American community. Scheduled for next May, the ambitious event which the leaders of Arab-American organisations were in Cairo to discuss with the Arab League is to comprise four tracks dedicated to the economic and political, human development and technology.
Panel participants' comments suggest that the economic track will take centre-stage at the conference. Nasser M Beydoun, director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, echoed sentiments expressed by Asali with respect to the time frame for being able to influence the US administration on foreign policy matters like Palestine. "Politically, we are no match for the opposition in terms of making headway in the near future," Beydoun said, alluding to the impact of pro-Israel organisations. "However, on the economic front, it is possible for us to make headway. The US understands trade and business. We are a capitalist nation."
With regard to what panel participants conceded was a problematic reporting on Arab affairs, Beydoun once again emphasised the logic of "money talks". "Many media outlets are publicly traded companies. We, as Arab-Americans, can buy stock. And, believe me, these companies listen to their shareholders."
Responding to a question by a banker about rumours that Saudi assets were being frozen in the United States, Beydoun was quick to respond. "We haven't heard of any money being frozen". He, and Asali, asked that any concrete information be passed on to them should it come to light, emphasising that it is important for people not to confuse rumour with fact.
In this respect, panel participants urged a sense of proportion in reporting on the discrimination faced by Arabs in the US since 9/11 and in criticism of the US. Asali said, there is a "complete and consistent bashing of America in the Middle East. The end result is that this is no good for the Arab world or the US." Asali also singled out the "clash of civilisations" as being neither illuminating nor constructive in addressing the challenges faced by Arabs. "There is a segment of us and them that is peddling this notion vigorously. The Christians and Muslims pushing the 'clash of civilisations' conflict have more in common than any of the rest of us. This seems so evident, but it is important to reiterate."
And Asali is optimistic that the clash of civilisations viewpoint will be bested. As he dashed off to the Arab League, he said, "We're going to win this one."
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