WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives from twenty-seven Arab-American organizations met in Washington, D.C., on October 22 in the second organizing meeting to establish a Congress of Arab-American Organizations (CAAO). This umbrella framework which includes local, regional and national groups was launched in August to enhance cooperation, communication and coordination among more than 120 groups that were invited to be part of the initial Congress. Membership is open to all organizations serving Arab Americans.
The CAAO meeting convened following a speech by H.E. Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, in his first speech in the United States since assuming office this summer. He touched on a number of themes of concern to the Arab-American community that have been highlighted since the tragic events of September 11.
The CAAO effort is being coordinated jointly by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the Arab American Institute (AAI). More than 40 organizations have taken part in the first two organizing meetings.
Major concerns raised during the meeting included:
The civil rights of Arab Americans in light of increased security concerns in the United States U.S. foreign policies related to the situation in Palestine and Iraq Spillover from war against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda Building alliances with like-minded organizations.
The following are organizations participating in the CAAO meeting.
Al-Bireh Society
American Arab Chamber of Commerce
American Federation of Ramallah Palestine
American Muslim Council
American Task Force on Lebanon
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
Arab American Association/Charlotte
Arab American Business Association
Arab American Chaldean Council
Arab American Institute
Arab American League of Voters of New Jersey
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
Birzeit Society
Egyptian American Professional Society
Egyptian American Technology Association
Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation
Islamic Institute
National Association of Yemeni Americans
National Merchants Association
Palestine Aid Society
Palestinian American Womens Association
Palestinian Heritage Foundation
Philadelphia Arab American Association
Syrian American Womens Charitable Association
The Arab American Family Support Center, NY
Union of Arab Student Associations
United American Lebanese Federation