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Friday, June 07, 2002
President Hosni Mubarak sent a message Thursday to the representatives of the Islamic and Arab American organization in the United States on the occasion of the national convention on the American- Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). The message said "it gives me great pleasure to address you on the occasion of the National Convention of the American-Arab Anti-discrimination committee. I am particularly pleased to se you gathered here at the Egyptian embassy in Washington." The history of the American Arab anti-discrimination committee speaks for itself. Your Organization has had its invaluable contributions in serving the interests of the American -Arab community in the United States. Your cause is noble quest for recognition and empowerment that I enthusiastically commenced and strongly support. "The tragic events of September 11 have had serious implications and have presented difficult challenges for the United States in general, and for your community in particular. Furthermore, the rapid deterioration of the Middle East peace process has significantly increased the level of anxiety and frustration in the Arab world, affecting not only our interests in the region, but that of the United States as well. "Both developments add to your responsibilities and to the role that you can play. I cannot stress enough the importance of your community's role as vibrant bridge of understanding between the Arab and American societies, and as a very effective channel of explaining the true meaning and nature of our heritage and religions. "As Americans, you can also provide needed impetus for an enhanced, sustained and comprehensive American efforts to achieve peace in our part of the world by speaking out as Americans in defense of the American's interests in the Middle East." "Needless to say the peace we aspire for as Arabs is a peace ending the Arab-Israeli conflict on all its fronts, and in all its dimensions, based on the principle of "'land for peace." "A comprehensive permanent peace should bring to fruition Palestinian statehood on the territories occupied by Israel in June 1967, including East Jerusalem. It should end the occupation of Syrian territories and resolve all the outstanding issues on both fronts once and for all. "As we move into the new millennium your community will face new challenges but will also be blessed with numerous opportunities. The earlier it reflects on its past and the better it plans for the future, the greater is the probability that you will assure you children and grandchildren a better future as Americans of Arab heritage. "As we build our societies in the Arab World, and make remarkable progress on the path to economic prosperity and political and social development, you must continue to have ambitious goals as you work for your community and for America. "By doing so, you widen and consolidate the foundation of understanding between the Arab world and the United States. As you become heard as Americans, you serve not only your country, but also its relations with the region where your roots remain. Be ambitious and determined in the decade to come: 1-Double the number of congressmen/women from Arab origin. 2-Encourage more American- Arab participation in elections at all levels, be it local or national. 3-Work on creating greater understanding between Americans and Arabs. '' I am not one of you in the legal sense, yet I endeavor to suggest these goals out of conviction that they serve prosperity and understanding in general, and Arab American relations in particular. "I wish you an enlightened conference and successful endeavors in the years to come. And I look forward to ever increasing cooperation between Egypt and ADC, for the mutual benefit of American Arabs, America, and the Arab world". |
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