When you’re fighting Islamophobia, when you’re debunking and correcting misconceptions, when you’re thinking outside of the box to promote inclusion and diversity locally, regionally, even nationally—you make bold decisions not made before because your gut tells you, ‘this is the right thing. Do the right thing.’ Truly, the best part is helping an idea develop…
My grandmother tells me the story of having to leave Palestine in a boat and going to Egypt. It was the 1940s. She thought it was only going to be for a few weeks, but they never went back to Palestine. My grandparents learned to make a home for themselves and for others in a…
The Center for Arab American Philanthropy would like to congratulate our 2019 Adawia Alousi Scholars! Representing colleges throughout the country, the women who make up this exceptional sisterhood are increasing the visibility of Muslim females in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. In addition to the jobs and extracurriculars these women are already…
After 9/11, Arab Americans were heavily targeted, feared and misrepresented. I made it a point to change the way people saw Arab Americans by attaching my identity to everything I do, even when giving to causes that are not affecting the Arab American community. My identity became my driving force, and the pride I grew…
I lost too many friends to AIDS and as a result I began volunteering in HIV and AIDS related projects. Volunteering was a gruesome experience, but also healing and fulfilling. I found a cause I was interested in supporting. This experience led me to another cause I was passionate about namely by birth, the Syrian…
Amad Elzayat’s parents left Lebanon to come to Dearborn, Michigan with their family when he was seven months old. His mother stayed at home to raise six children while his father supported the family working two jobs, until he was injured and couldn’t work any longer. Although Elzayat’s family was poor growing up, he says…
CAAP and ACCESS are incredibly pleased and proud to announce that this year’s prestigious Arab American of the Year award will be presented to distinguished international advocates and philanthropists Basem and Muna Hishmeh at ACCESS’s 48th Annual Dinner on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Basem and Muna’s extraordinary commitment to numerous worthy causes has helped them uplift the voices of countless individuals…
The Center for Arab American Philanthropy would like to congratulate our 2018 Adawia Alousi Scholars! Representing colleges throughout the country, the women who make up this exceptional sisterhood are increasing the visibility of Muslim females in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. In addition to the jobs and extracurriculars these women are already…
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…
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…