H.E. Salah Sarhan, Arab League Ambassador to the United States.
photo: NUSACC©
300 business leaders and Diplomats attend event that celebrates Americans of Arab descent
(BMLTV) December 18, 2016, WASHINGTON , D.C. - For the fifth year in a row, the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) supported Arab American Day, held under the auspices of the League of Arab States and the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Washington, DC.
The December 5 conference and reception at the U.S. Institute of Peace drew nearly 300 participants, including numerous business leaders, Arab diplomats, and prominent Arab Americans.
NUSACC served as the Lead Sponsor for this year's event. Noted H.E. Salah Sarhan, Arab League Ambassador to the United States, "I want to thank the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, not only for being the lead sponsor for this evening's event, but for its partnership throughout the year. The Arab League appreciates the hard work that the Chamber does on a daily basis to promote even better commercial ties between our member states and the United States. I also want to thank the Chairman of NUSACC's Board of Directors, Mr. Don De Marino, for joining us tonight, and for his service."
NUSACC Co-Chairman Don De Marino
photo: NUSACC©
In his keynote remarks, NUSACC Co-Chairman Don De Marino noted, "Arab American Day is a time to celebrate the positive influence that Americans of Arab descent have had on our country and to praise the strength that comes from diversity." He continued, "All Arab Americans are part of the rich tapestry that constitutes our great nation. NUSACC is proud to once again be the Lead Sponsor of this celebration."
De Marino observed that “NUSACC is America’s longest serving organization dedicated to promoting U.S.-Arab business, and we pride ourselves on our ability to serve as a commercial bridge between the United States and the Arab world. Our Chamber is deeply committed to its core mission of strengthening U.S.-Arab relationships through mutually beneficial trade and investment.”
De Marino expressed the Chamber’s appreciation to the Arab League for its partnership, and he praised the League’s Chief Representative in Washington, H.E. Ambassador Salah Sarhan, for his leadership and support. Ambassador Sarhan is an Honorary Member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
“It was a great privilege for our Chamber to support this important event once again,” said David Hamod, President & CEO of NUSACC. “The Chamber deeply appreciates our longstanding relationship with the League of Arab States, and we are honored to be the only business entity in the United States that is officially recognized and sanctioned by the Arab League.”
Hamod concluded, “NUSACC is especially pleased that two of the three corporate sponsors of the event – Etihad and Black & Veatch – are Platinum Plus members of our Chamber.”
H.E. Salah Sarhan, Arab League Ambassador to the United States
photo: NUSACC©
Remarks by Arab League Ambassador
H.E. Salah Sarhan, Arab League Ambassador to the United States, noted, “The Arab American community is a source of pride and a wealth of talent. It is the engine that keeps this dynamic Arab American relationship moving forward.”
Recognizing the resilience of Arab women, he said, “I want to take this opportunity to salute, recognize, and express gratitude to Arab women and girls who remain steadfast in the fight against the systematic violence they face daily as a result of conflict.”
Sarhan emphasized the Arab League’s strong commitment to eliminating violence against women, stating, “The Arab League considers the issue of violence against women and girls in the Arab world as a major obstacle in achieving gender equality.
This event, Sarhan also noted, served to enhance the historic link between the Arab League and the U.S. Government. He congratulated President-elect Donald Trump and expressed his hope for the success of the incoming administration. “We look forward to the continued global leadership of the United States and to enhancing the long and solid Arab-American relations.”
Ambassador Kristie Kenney. photo: NUSACC©
Remarks by U.S. Department of State
Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Counselor, expressed her deep appreciation for the diversity that makes America strong, citing “those who have come from other places to lend their voice, culture, and experience.”
Kenney observed that, from her perspective as a U.S. diplomat, the influence of the Arab American community has helped the U.S. to build ties with countries of the Middle East. “Diplomacy,” Kenney noted, “isn’t just the business for diplomats, it’s the business of people-to-people.”
Omani Ambassador, Representing the Council of Arab Ambassadors
photo: NUSACC©
Remarks by Omani Ambassador, Representing the Council of Arab Ambassadors
As the first female Arab ambassador to the United States, H.E. Hunaina Al-Mughairy spoke of the opportunities that her position has provided to “dispel many misconceptions and stereotypes about women in the Arab world.” While the status of women varies from one country to another, she suggested, “there is room to be optimistic.”
Progress and development always comes through education, emphasized Al-Mughairy, and literacy among Arab women is on the rise. School enrollment rates have doubled in recent decades, and female attendance of college is now the norm, she suggested. Al-Mughairy noted the importance of recognizing the serious challenges for women, while also embracing positive change. “There is no way back,” she said. “There will be more ground gained by Arab women. Although we are still climbing a hill laden with stumbling blocks, we are inching closer to the top.”
Al-Mughairy received NUSACC’s Ambassador of the Year Award in 2011 for her substantial contributions to promoting trade between the United States and Oman.
The Arab Woman: Theme of the Fifth Annual Arab American Day
The League of Arab States adopted a regional action plan on women, peace, and security in partnership with UN Women in October 2015, highlighting the need to empower Arab female leaders in order to strengthen institutions and help communities address conflict peacefully.
On December 5, 2016, to mark the Fifth Annual Arab American Day, the League of Arab States and the U.S. Institute of Peace hosted a discussion with Arab women leaders, academics, and policymakers on how education and economic opportunities can engage women and men in supporting women’s voices, equality and success.
Panelists, including leaders of the United Nations, government and civil society, discussed opportunities for the League of Arab States to invest in supporting women’s empowerment for the region’s peace and prosperity. They shared success stories of Arab women leaders breaking barriers, assessed Arab and global initiatives focusing on women, and made recommendations for greater inclusivity
Minnesota’s House of Representatives, Ms. Ilhan Omar
photo: NUSACC©
Remarks by Ilhan Omar
Newly elected to Minnesota’s House of Representatives, Ms. Ilhan Omar shared her experiences as the first Somali American Muslim woman elected to high office. Omar spoke of her journey to the Minnesota legislature as a Somali-American, a Muslim, a female, a refugee, and an immigrant. Her message was one of hope in the midst of difficult times: “People like me have overcome incredible obstacles and we will continue overcoming,” she said.
During her campaign, Omar said, she was pressured to abandon numerous aspects of her identity. Despite this pressure, she maintained that “people respond to authenticity,” and she committed herself to setting a path that others could follow without betraying their backgrounds or their identities. Omar encouraged members of the audience to have confidence to speak up and to get involved in order to enable women to rise and to protect the rights of other marginalized groups.
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