Arab-Americans, peace, and civil liberties

WASHINGTON, April 11 (UPI) -- U.S. congressional leaders called for peace in the Middle East and respect for civil liberties at home at an awards dinner of the Arab American Institute Foundation Wednesday night.

The foundation, a nonprofit affiliate of the Arab American Institute, supports programs that promote greater awareness of Arab-Americans in the United States, demographic research and international outreach. At a black-tie gala in a packed ballroom of Washington's Capital Hilton Hotel, the 2002 Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards were presented.

Gibran (1883-1931)-- a poet, philosopher and artist -- was born in Lebanon and made his home in the United States for the last 20 years of his life.

The Exxon Mobil Corp. received an award for "corporate commitment," Reebok International received an award for "international commitment to human rights," and Starz Encore Group Brokaw, Inc. got special recognition for "outstanding public service."

The British entertainer Sting presented Queen Noor al Hussein of Jordan, the wife of the late King Hussein, with a special award for individual achievement.

House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., said that since Sept. 11 America has learned a great deal not only about fighting terrorism but also about working with Arab allies in a coalition against terrorism.

"We must reject the 'clash of civilization' rhetoric that is used by extremists to divide us," he said.

Gephardt said that he returned from a recent trip to the Middle East with a clearer recognition than ever that the United States must be engaged and involved in promoting peace and stability in the region. "America must lead every day," he said, and expressed support for Secretary of State Colin Powell's peace mission.

James J. Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, spoke in remembrance of Sept. 11.

He said the first death threats were directed against the institute three hours after the World Trade Center was hit, and he praised staffers who came to work every day despite the "blood-curdling" threats.

"We are not a foreign community in America," Zogby said. He noted the many Arab Americans serving in the U.S. armed forces and the dozens of Arab American New York City police officers who reacted to the emergency. Some of them were on hand, as well as Arab American firefighters from Virginia who responded to the Pentagon crash. Zogby asked them to stand, and dinner guests honored them with applause.

Zogby expressed sadness about the "fear and suffering" both in Israel and on the West Bank. "Though it is dark, we must continue to have hope," he said.

Zogby praised a guest, Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., for casting the lone dissenting vote on Oct. 25 against the "USA Patriot Act," which Zogby called "a law that we will regret."

In Senate debate, Feingold opposed the bill as an unjustified infringement on civil liberties. Citing assaults on civil liberties going back to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, he warned that allowing police greater latitude to search homes and giving federal agents new authority to tap phones would eviscerate the Fourth Amendment.

Feingold said that after Sept. 11, he wanted to show his support to Arab-Americans as a Jewish American.

"As the crisis in the Middle East deepens, it's more important than ever for Jewish Americans and Arab Americans to work together for the values we hold dear," he said.

Feingold said he learned the value of equal rights by growing up in one of the few Jewish families in a small Wisconsin town.

Americans must be sure we are not rewarding al Qaida terrorists by giving up our cherished freedoms, Feingold added. The Founding Fathers had been through a wrenching war, and they wrote the Constitution to protect civil liberties in times of war as well as times of peace.

The USA Patriot Act of 2001 goes too far in that it allows unpatriotic government intrusions into our lives, the Wisconsin senator said.

He also said that measures by the Department of Justice appear to be aimed at intimidating the Arab community. The Justice Department casts too wide a net in searching for potential terrorists, he averred.

"We share the same goals in the Middle East," Feingold said. "Like you I have many personal connections in the region, especially in Israel. ... We can agree that too many innocent lives have been lost."

Intense U.S. engagement is necessary to attain peace, he said. Feingold said he joined President Bush in his wish that two secure, independent states -- one Israeli and one Palestinian -- live together in peace.

Master of ceremonies Jean AbiNader, chairman of the institute's steering committee, lauded another guest, Rep. John Dingell, D.-Michigan. AbiNader said Dingell offered one of the only congressional resolutions on the Middle East that makes sense. On July 19, 2001, Dingell introduced a resolution supporting the use of U.N. peacekeeping forces in the region.

On Oct. 25, Dingell introduced a resolution against Israeli assassinations and what he called "unjust, aggressive acts" that "do not serve the interests of Israel."

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., recalled that his first boss in public life, then Sen. James Abourezk, was an Arab-American as was one of his predecessors as Senate leader, George Mitchell, D-Maine.

Daschle said that if more people learn about the distinction with which Arab-Americans served and continue to serve the country, it would go a long way toward fostering understanding. "Ethnic diversity is our strength," he said.

The majority leader wished Secretary of State Colin Powell well on his Mideast peace mission, and Daschle drew applause when he said he looks forward to the day when Palestinians and Israelis live side by side in peace.