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Someone
11/15/2001 (14:02)

By Mona El-Ghobashy
The Cairo Times

Final Part

In their organization, funding, and operations, ADC and other groups mirror the stunning array of American interest groups, depending on dedicated members and a relentless pushing of their issues onto the national agenda. They have well-equipped offices, official stationery, publications, press offices, and even
mugs and T-shirts. Now they're also being swamped by media requests for interviews. Ibish has been working the phones non-stop since 11 September and appeared on several radio call-in shows (receiving death threats on the air).

AbiNader of the AAI says his group in conjunction with others is undertaking a national campaign directed at all major American cities to raise awareness of bias crimes. 'We're getting statements by mayors, programs in schools, distributing contact sheets for what to do if you're the victim of a hate crime,' he
explained. ADC has set up a hate-crime hotline. Groups are also accelerating efforts already underway since this summer to form the Congress of Arab-American Organizations, coordinated by AAI and ADC. 'This event has toughened our resolve and spurred us to go beyond sectarian differences,' said AbiNader. A steering committee will have the Congress' by-laws in 60 days.

The challenges they face are daunting. With FBI investigations linking the worst terrorist attacks on American soil to persons of 'Middle Eastern descent' and pinpointing 'sleeper agents,' who were seemingly integrated into their communities as perpetrators of the attacks, Arab and Muslim interest groups have not only to guard against civil liberties violations in the name of national security but to come to grips with their neighbors' and co-workers' fears and suspicions.

However, if they are now forced to endure dirty looks, hurtful words, spitting, and even gunfire, the silver lining of this atrocious event for Arab and Muslim Americans could very well be the cementing of their status as full-fledged and legitimate participants in the American national community, with no turning
back.

Š2001 The Cairo Times. All rights reserved.