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Fatima Taj reflects on three years as a teen philanthropist

Fatima Taj is nothing short of a rising star in Dearborn, MI. The recent high school graduate has already made a name for herself through prolific involvement in her community. As president of her high school’s Art Club, she worked with her fellow peers to beautify their learning environment by doing such projects as painting…

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lina harajli

Planned giving can be a beacon of hope for years to come

Planned giving is a form of strategic philanthropy that is often overlooked. Sometimes referred to as gift planning or legacy giving, it is a way to support nonprofits that enable individuals to make larger gifts than they could make from ordinary income. In short, a planned gift is any major gift, made in lifetime or at death…

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Compassion and persistence come full circle: Aref’s Story

Fleeing bombs and bullets, Dr. Aref Alkhouli and his family fled Al Ghouta, Syria. They arrived in 2016 to Dearborn, Michigan, seeking refuge. The family had lost their home, their job, and even their loved ones. Dr. Alkhouli had worked as a veterinarian in Syria, but after months of searching, he had yet to find employment…

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New Americans and a new meaning of “home”: The Alasad family

Fleeing the horrors of the war in Daraa, Syria, Samer and Haifa Alasad made the choice to leave their home to keep their children Abdullah, Faid, and Hanan safe. After four years in a Jordanian refugee camp, the Alasads gathered what little belongings they had and moved to Michigan. The move was much more difficult…

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One refugee family’s journey from Syria to the U.S.

Imagine having to start over in a new country with no job, no family support, and the inability to speak the native language. This is exactly what Zozan Alhajji faced with her husband, Moussa, and their two children Sam and Elva, after fleeing war in Syria in search of a better future for their kids….

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Asmaa and her family build a happy life in Metro Detroit

When a missile landed across the street from Asmaa Othman’s house in Syria, she feared for her family’s lives. The following morning, Asmaa, her husband, Moussa, and three of her four sons (Rudy, Rayan, and Abdulrahman) walked out the door and left their life behind. Forced to leave her son, Loran, in Syria, she was…

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Piano concert raises more than $20,000 for Syrian children

On March 25, the Center for Arab American Philanthropy presented the 2018 Piano Keys for Syrian Kids event, a piano concert intended to raise funds and awareness about the plight of Syrian refugees. High school students – and twin brothers – Omar and Ziad Fehmi had the idea to host a concert with their friends…

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Center for Arab American Philanthropy Pattern

A night to remember: Highlights from CAAP’s inaugural Threads of Giving Gala

Friday, March 16, 2018 marked an incredibly special occasion: CAAP’s inaugural Threads of Giving Gala. Held for the first time in Houston, TX, the long-awaited event delivered spectacularly, and represented a milestone in CAAP’s evolution. CAAP honored Dr. Farouk Shami, entrepreneur and founder of Farouk Systems, Inc., with the very first Outstanding Arab American Philanthropist…

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TGI members participate in Youth Driven Spaces

Guest post by Yasmine S., 2017-2018 Teen Grantmaking Initiative member On January 21st 2018, Afnan, Alex, Lauren, and myself, all members of CAAP’s Teen Grantmaking Initiative (TGI), had the opportunity to present at the Neutral Zone’s Inaugural Youth Driven Spaces (YDS) Conference. The conference attendees included youth from groups all over Michigan that have been working…

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MedEq: Advancing an equitable healthcare agenda for Arab Americans

The reputation attached to the pre-med lifestyle is no secret—difficult research labs, months in the library MCAT studying, and multiple emails to doctors asking for shadowing opportunities. Despite this already hectic schedule, pre-med student Abdul-Rahman Sulieman wanted to do even more. As an undergraduate, Abdul helped start MedEq at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan….

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