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plate in ways other mediums do not. “It’s way stronger to make a movie than to go on TV and talk for 20 minutes,” he said. The rapid churn of the news means people “don’t even have time to digest it and to think about it.” Rahim also hopes the film will put pressure on the Mauritanian and U.S. governments to allow Slahi to travel freely. Released in 2016, Slahi is currently prohibited from traveling outside of Mauritania. “It’s one thing to be released from Guantanamo, but then if you go to an open sky prison, you still have something to fix,” Rahim said. “The Mauritanian,” distributed by STXFilms, is currently available on demand. Slahi’s book, Guantanamo Diary, is available from Middle East Books and More. —Dale Sprusansky
ARAB AMERICAN ACTIVISM NAAWA Celebrates Women
The National Arab American Women’s Association (NAAWA) held its sixth annual International Women’s Day Gala virtually on March 7. Nearly 5,000 viewers watched this year’s star-studded event, titled, “Empowering Arab American Women: Empowering Humanity,” skillfully emceed by Ameera David, WXYZ Detroit anchor and daughter of Arab America founders Amal and Warren David. Nearly every speaker challenged listeners to lift each other up. Singer/songwriter Elise Azkoul, a Lebanese-American contestant from the 17th season of “The Voice,” launched the evening by singing “Rise Up,” a song to empower everyone who is fighting the exhaustion and loneliness of COVID-19. Renowned Syrian singer/composer Badya Hasan sang Arabic favorites. Dr. Pearlette Ramos, a motivational speaker and author, gave some solid tips on how women can be relentless and authentic. By uniting, they can achieve their goals despite all obstacles like inequality, poverty, violence and earning 71 cents for every dollar earned by men. Ramos concluded, “no one can dim our light and our voices if we are relentless...and support one another.” MAY 2021
NAAWA Emcee Ameera David (l) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Board members, including Janeen Rashmawi, described the educational outreach work NAAWA is accomplishing, providing lesson plans and teaching resources to national and local social studies teachers. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) described the many ways Arab American women can speak up to support communities of color, Black Lives Matter, fair and just immigration reform, equitable education, clean air and water. “It shows who we are as a community that we don’t wait until it’s our community that is a target...help our country stay connected and make sure everyone can thrive.” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) urged women to hold the door wide open for others to follow or to leave a ladder in place behind us for the use of the next generation. Cynthia Terrell, the founder and executive director of RepresentWomen, which seeks to advance women’s leadership in the U.S., provided sobering statistics about women, who are 51 percent of the U.S. population but make up only: 24 percent of the U.S. Senate; 27 percent of the U.S. House of Representatives; 30 percent of statewide elected executives; 31 percent of state legislative seats; 23 percent of mayors in cities with populations over 30,000; and 0 percent of presidents of the United States. At least now there is finally a female vice president, Terrell added. “Women around the world are entering political office at higher rates than in the
United States—we are only 70th for women’s representation in politics.” Terrell urged more women to run for office, win their races and serve effectively. Iraqi-American Zainab Salbi, founder of Women for Women International and host of “Through Her Eyes” with Yahoo News, said her mother made her read books about women and struggles. Each generation of women pushes the next generation to go further, she said. She admitted that the Arab culture is not in its golden age and Arab women are held back by traditions and religion. Like the other speakers, Salbi counseled viewers to stand up for each other and push the other forward. International corporate lawyer/activist Lina Hadid congratulated NAAWA on its work and noted that she has founded a lobby to work for Palestinian rights. Palestinian-American/actress/comedian/disability advocate Maysoon Zayid offered “advice you don’t want to hear” on National Women’s Day. She ended her set with a caution to internet trolls: “Words matter. Never be the person who causes another human being harm...If you feel the need to spew hate online, google ‘cats on glass tables.’ You’ll thank me.” Azkoul concluded the evening with an uplifting rendition of “Here Comes the Sun,” to celebrate a brighter future and the approaching end to COVID isolation. —Delinda C. Hanley
WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS
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