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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
By Henry Ballout, CAAP Intern I am typing this blog shortly after the closing session of MOVE 2017 in Dearborn, Michigan and I am going to admit that I’ve found the whole conference experience amazing. It was such a privilege for me to be able to attend. MOVE 2017 was a first-of-its-kind national gathering that…
Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) are vastly underrepresented – indeed, a rarity. However, CAAP is aiming to turn the tide through the Dr. Adawia Alousi STEM Scholarship Fund for Muslim Women. This scholarship program, the first of its kind, will establish a sorority of Muslim American women pursuing STEM: the Adawia Alousi Scholars. The fund…
The destruction caused by Hurricane Maria is intense, and Puerto Rico remains in a desperate state as houses have been washed away, the island’s electrical grid has been crippled, and highways have been damaged beyond repair. More than three weeks after the hurricane made landfall, entire communities are still isolated. The problems facing Puerto Rico…
Founded in 2003 by Nabila Mango and Haya Shawwa Ben-Halim, Zawaya has operated as a safe space for Arab artists to freely express themselves. Nabila and Haya sought to give the Arab community a voice and address certain stereotypes and misconceptions through the arts. Zawaya has various musical groups dedicated to showcasing the beauty of…
In our latest grantee spotlight, we got the chance to speak with the executive director of the Arab American Civic Council (AACC), Rashad Al-Dabbagh. AACC is encourages civic engagement in the Greater Los Angeles area through community organizing, advocacy, leadership development, cultural outreach, and cultivating partnerships with other communities. Continue reading to learn more about…