Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Podcast Info
    • Hanania Podcast intro
    • Live Arab Radio
  • Your Views
  • Submit Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC “Spirit of Humanity” Awards & Dinner Gala, New Date:  Friday, October 21, 2022  Activism
  • rab American Democratic Club hosts a gathering of elected officials and journalists looking at the recent elections, celebrating Ramadan and Arab American Heritage month (April.)
    Arab American Heritage Month, Ramadan feted by Journalists and elected officials American Arabs
  • Chicago Mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson promised to ensure that Arabs and Muslims will be included in his administration during a visit he made to celebrate the Eid Al Adha with Chicagoland's Muslim community.
    Chicago Mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson promises to support Arabs and Muslims Activism
  • Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Pritzker makes more appointments, none are Arab American American Arabs
  • The American Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (American FRRME) helping Christians in Iraq
    New report on Christians in Iraq shows desperate situation and needs Arab World
  • Winter in Bekaa Lebanon January 2015 Photo courtesy of NRC Lebanon. January 7, 2015 in Bekaa valley Lebanon. Heavy snowfall in Lebanon January 7, 2015. Yesterday staff from NRC Lebanon’s Bekaa office were working with refugees to put in place flood mitigation measures in advance of the forecast harsh storm which hit overnight. Field teams distributed 1,205 plywood sheets and 885 bricks as floor-raising kits for tents in two settlements in the town of Sarain, and 250 wooden pallets to ensure a clear pathway in five settlements in the town at risk of flooding. Niamh Murnaghan, NRC’s Country Director in Lebanon said, “This morning residents of these informal settlements awoke to a knee-deep blanket of snow. With roads impassable in Bekaa, our staff have not been able to reach refugee settlements, but refugees have sent photos of themselves clearing the snow from their tents.” Photo credit: NRC Lebanon/Syrian refugees in Lebanon. January 7, 2015 in Bekaa valley Lebanon. Heavy snowfall in Lebanon January 7, 2015. Yesterday staff from NRC Lebanon’s Bekaa office were working with refugees to put in place flood mitigation measures in advance of the forecast harsh storm which hit overnight. Field teams distributed 1,205 plywood sheets and 885 bricks as floor-raising kits for tents in two settlements in the town of Sarain, and 250 wooden pallets to ensure a clear pathway in five settlements in the town at risk of flooding. Niamh Murnaghan, NRC’s Country Director in Lebanon said, “This morning residents of these informal settlements awoke to a knee-deep blanket of snow. With roads impassable in Bekaa, our staff have not been able to reach refugee settlements, but refugees have sent photos of themselves clearing the snow from their tents.” Photo credit: NRC Lebanon/Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
    AHRC Observes World Refugee Day American Arabs
  • Endorsements: Democrats in the Illinois June 28, 2022 Primary election Activism
  • The Arab Daily News candidate endorsements: Cook County, Illinois American Arabs
  • Endorsements: Republicans in the Illinois Republican Primary Election June 28, 2022 Election
  • Joseph Gutman was appointed by Gov. Pritzker to serve as a Member of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Gutman was a Partner at BDT & Company from 2017 until retiring in January 2020 where he remains a consultant today.
    Gov Pritzker makes more appointments to state commissions, boards but no Arabs American Arabs
  • World Jewish Congress Chairman Ronald S. Lauder
    WJC President Ronald S. Lauder Receives France’s Top Distinction  Activism
  • Project DYNAMO rescues more than 600 people from Mariupol, Ukraine over the last week Major Mariupol rescue operation conducted by Project DYNAMO, more than 480 people from Mariupol as city under violent siege falling to Russian forces. 
    Project DYNAMO rescues more than 600 people from Mariupol, Ukraine over the last week Human Rights
  • US Congressman Sean Casten, 6th District, Illinois
    Congressman Sean Casten joins Ray Hanania Radio Show American Arabs
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8 American Arabs
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel: American Arabs
AAI President Jim Zogby addresses the 19th Annual Spirit of Humanity Awards Banquet

AAI Celebrates 19th Annual Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards banquet

Posted on May 3, 2017September 25, 2018 By rayhanania No Comments on AAI Celebrates 19th Annual Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards banquet
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

AAI Celebrates 19th Annual Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards banquet

Hundreds of guests came out for the 2017 Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards Gala, hosted by the Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) on April 27th.

The 19th annual Gibran Awards brought the Arab American community together to recognize individuals, corporations, organizations and communities whose work, commitment and support make a difference in promoting coexistence and inclusion in all walks of life.

The Master of Ceremonies for this year was Ayman Mohyeldin. Mohyeldin is a distinguished journalist who is currently a foreign correspondent for NBC News and an anchor for MSNBC. Mohyeldin told the audience that it was an honor to stand before them to “celebrate the community and recognize so many outstanding individuals that have contributed so much, not only to this organization, not only to this community, but in service of this country.”

Author and journalist Lawrence Wright presented the first award of the evening: the Anthony Shadid Award for Excellence in Journalism. Wright was the recipient of the 2015 Anthony Shadid Award. This year’s award was presented to Steve Coll. Coll is a journalist, author, Pulitzer Prize winner and Dean of the Columbia University School of Journalism. He was honored for his lifetime of excellence in journalism and his efforts to advance the profession.

On his award, Coll said, “it’s especially humbling because of the connection to Anthony who I knew as a colleague and friend for many years, and who is an inspiration to so many people in our field.”

AAI President Jim Zogby addresses the 19th Annual Spirit of Humanity Awards Banquet
AAI President Jim Zogby addresses the 19th Annual Spirit of Humanity Awards Banquet

Senator Amy Klobuchar, who applauded the work of AAIF and all that it does, noted she is from a state with a large refugee population whose “very existence is under assault.” She presented the Award for Institutional Excellence to the The Arc of the United States, an organization that advocates for and promotes the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Arc CEO, Peter Berns, accepted the award with an inspiring message. He shared a Kahlil Gibran quote that symbolizes all of the work the Arc has done for nearly 70 years: “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

Afterwards, AAI Board Chairman George Salem took the stage and remembered AAI’s 32-year history of ethnic political empowerment. He noted the Arab American elected officials in the audience such as Congressman Darin LaHood. Several other elected allies were also in the audience including Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congressman Keith Ellison.

AAI Executive Director Maya Berry remarked on the perseverance of the Arab American community saying, “We have faced some challenging travails before today and will continue to face more tomorrow. We too have shown we can flourish in tough conditions.”

A special guest message from Vice President Al Gore was displayed to introduce the Najeeb Halaby Award for Public Service and Vice President Joe Biden also appeared by video message to introduce awardee, Greg Simon. VP Biden called Simon “a man of absolute total integrity” whose public service career has been incredibly impactful.

Greg Simon reflected on his long public service career and what it means to him. “We must keep the door to citizenship open to honor those who suffered so much, to reach that door. If my public service stands for anything, it stands for this – we are a great nation because of that open door.”

Jen Smyers, of Church World Service, presented the Individual Achievement award to Hamdi Ulukaya, philanthropist and founder of Chobani. Smyers described Ulukaya as an individual who is committed to empowering “sustainable, local change.” An immigrant, Ulukaya established his Greek yogurt company “Chobani” in 2007. In less than a decade, he grew the company’s worth to more than $1 billion.

After witnessing the worsening refugee crisis around the globe, he established the Tent Foundation—his personal philanthropy that seeks to improve the lives and livelihoods of the world’s 65 million refugees and displaced people and help them realize their full potential. During his final inspirational message to his audience, Ulukaya remarked that Kahlil Gibran suffered but he “channeled it into love, forgiveness, unity, in humanity everywhere. That’s what I try to do by making yogurt everyday.”

After Ulukaya’s remarkable speech, the focus of the evening then shifted to Palestine. AAI President James Zogby introduced a touching video on Palestine. Zogby remarked on the Palestinian people’s resilience and hope and “amazing ability of a people to translate personal suffering into hope.”

The last award of the evening went to Palestinian artist and writer Kamal Boullatta. Boullata received a Special Recognition Award for his lifetime of work and dedication to bettering humanity. AAI President James Zogby said that his sense first sense of Palestine came through poetry, came through art. Zogby honored Boullata not only for his work but also for “the spirit of Palestine that lives in him and that he has been able to create for us in his art”. Boullata presented several incredible works of art to the audience, which serve as a true testament to the impact he has had on elevating Palestine.

Boullata said regarding Palestine’s significance: “Just as the heart is a small organ that determines the body’s life or death, Palestine’s role in the region’s history has been as determinative to its surrounding world.”

AAI President James Zogby took the stage again to conclude the evening. He commented, “As I think about the work of Kamal Boullata and the anniversaries we’re approaching in the timeline of the Palestinian story, I come away hopeful for a brighter future, one with justice for those who long for it and deserve it. I hope you’ll take away that spirit as well, and keep it with you.”

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Weaponizing Anti-Semitism as a tool to protect Israel’s war crimes - July 27, 2022
  • Time to ditch the spoils system, our elected officials need to be more inclusive - July 26, 2022
  • AHRC “Spirit of Humanity” Awards & Dinner Gala, New Date:  Friday, October 21, 2022  - July 21, 2022

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, News, Press Releases, Spotlight Tags:AAI, Jim ZOgby, Khalil Gibran dinner, Spirit of Humanity Awards

Post navigation

Previous Post: Salt Houses, new book on Palestinian experience
Next Post: President Trump pushes for Palestine agreement

Related Posts

  • Syrian refugees: heroism of Rev. Jesse Jackson American Arabs
  • Who is Hayat Boumeddiene? Ali Younes
  • The Goodman Theatre (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Love Blossoms and Cultures Collide in Yasminas Necklace American Arabs
  • Incumbent Washington DC mayor ousted, but American Arab candidate fails in bid American Arabs
  • Imam Jamal Saad leads the more than 1,000 muslim attendees in payer at SeatGeek Stadium's open grounds at the Eid al-Fitr celebration May 2, 2022 in Bridgeview
    Local Illinois officials join Chicagoland Muslims for Eid Celebration at SeatGeek stadium American Arabs
  • The new King of Saudi Arabia, Salman Bin Abdel Aziz
    Saudi King urges American understanding on Yemen challenges Arab World

More Related Articles

Photo from B'Tselem's 50 year exhibit showcasing Palestinians born in 1967. Photo courtesy of B'Tselem B’Tselem features photo exhibit of Palestinians born in 1967 Arab World
Popular Republican Ben Carson says a Muslim should not be president American Arabs
Shadid falls short of election in Oklahoma City mayoral race American Arabs
Lebanon under threat from Syria‘s turmoil Arab World
420: Trump’s Inaugural and the Israeli Connection American Arabs
Data on anti-Muslim racism being distorted for politics American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Israeli soldiers and settlers attack Palestinians in Khirbet al-Mufaqarah, on Sept. 28, 2021 captured by B'Tselem video. The attacks were intentionally distorted by Israeli TV to blame the Palestinians
    Weaponizing Anti-Semitism as a tool to protect Israel’s war crimes
    July 27, 2022
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    Time to ditch the spoils system, our elected officials need to be more inclusive
    July 26, 2022
  • Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Nearly four years in office, Pritzker fails to deliver on promises to Arab Americans
    June 12, 2022
  • Palestinian refugees forced to flee their homes at gunpoint by Jewish terrorist groups operating in Palestine in the 1930s, 1940s and after Israel was created on May 14, 1948. Photo courtesy of the United Nations
    Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential
    May 7, 2022
  • NEWS
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC “Spirit of Humanity” Awards & Dinner Gala, New Date:  Friday, October 21, 2022 
    July 21, 2022
  • Chicago Mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson promised to ensure that Arabs and Muslims will be included in his administration during a visit he made to celebrate the Eid Al Adha with Chicagoland's Muslim community.
    Chicago Mayoral candidate Dr. Willie Wilson promises to support Arabs and Muslims
    July 16, 2022
  • Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Pritzker makes more appointments, none are Arab American
    July 11, 2022
  • The American Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (American FRRME) helping Christians in Iraq
    New report on Christians in Iraq shows desperate situation and needs
    June 20, 2022
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel:
    May 24, 2022
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8
    May 23, 2022
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot
    April 15, 2022

The Tabboun Column

The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
  • Tabboun
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Political Grapevine/The Tabboun, Friday Dec. 16, 2021
    December 16, 2021
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Chicago remains strongest Palestine voice
    September 7, 2016
  • The Tabboun: Israeli human rights violations hit
    June 30, 2016
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Himes questions troop deployment to Syria
    November 3, 2015
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Tabboun: Dearborn removes statue of racist former mayor
    September 29, 2015

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.jpg
  • HANANIA Arab News Op-Eds
  • Ukraine conflict gives Palestinians chance to redefine their conflict
    March 9, 2022
  • Mishmeshan PHC medical center destroyed in Syrian Government assaults. Photo courtesy of UOSSM Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations
    President Biden’s dyslexic policy in Syria is a mess
    October 20, 2021
  • Annissa Essaibi George and family
    Annissa Essaibi George faces “race hypocrisy” in campaign to be Boston Mayor
    October 20, 2021
  • Jerusalem image of Jews and Arabs walking together. Shutterstock. Courtesy of Arab News Newspaper
    Jewish Michigan lawmaker leads push for Two State Solution
    October 7, 2021
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib, book cover. Photo courtesy of Cune Press
    Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib
    November 1, 2021
  • Girl Fighters, new book on Yemen Book Cune Press
    New Book: Girl Fighters: Break Tradition in Yemen 
    October 25, 2021
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • 03-30-22 Arab Chamber Heritage Month Flyer
    Arab Chamber to host Arab Heritage Month dinner March 30
    March 14, 2022
  • “Rupture”, the psychological thriller produced by MBC STUDIOS, has won Best Saudi Film at the 2021 Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF).
    MBC GROUP’s Rupture wins Best Saudi Film at the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival
    December 15, 2021
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2022 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme