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ATFP Congratulates Arab America
for the Success of Mohammed Assaf Concert
ATFP co-sponsored the event in support
of the concert’s message of solidarity with the Palestinian people and
their steadfastness and perseverance.
Watch a video of the sponsorship acknowledgment read by Warren David, Arab America President,
here.
The 800 attendees of the concert responded enthusiastically to the talents and message of Assaf and Khoury.
 |
| Dr. Ziad Asali, ATFP President, and "Arab Idol" Mohammed Assaf meeting after the concert |
***
Over 850 Guests Attend Arab America "Ya Hal Arab" Event with Mohammed Assaf and Ziad Khoury
"Ya Hal Arab: A Call for Unity," took place on Sunday, May 11, 2014 at
the Waterford-Springfield Banquet Facility in Springfield, Virginia.
Over 850 guests attended the sold out event which featured the Arab Idol
and Palestinian Super Star, Mohammed Assaf and the incomparable
Lebanese vocalist and Arab Idol finalist, Ziad Khoury.
In addition to Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland, attendees from as
far away as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North
Carolina were present.
The evening began with introductions from Emcee Darik Kristofer, On-Air
Host at CBS 94.7 Fresh FM. Kristofer who is originally of Palestinian
heritage, spoke about his passion to connect with his heritage and there
was no better place than the evening’s event. He also spoke of the
importance of Arab America and its mission to portray an accurate image
of Arab Americans in wake of the negative Arab images portrayed in the
media.
He then introduced Arab America President Warren David who spoke of his
vision to see Arab America as a place where all Arab Americans
regardless of their ethnicity or religion could come together united
under one identity. He added that Arab America not only serves Arab
Americans but all peoples of diverse backgrounds in America.
David then went on to say, "Tonight we celebrate the unwavering
Palestinian unity and determination to see a Palestinian homeland after
more than 66 years of occupation!" he concluded, "We hope tonight’s
event symbolized through our spirit of unity will bring peace and
justice and human dignity to our Palestinian brothers and sisters.
Finally, he thanked the many sponsors and advertisers who helped to make this event possible.
Emcee Kristofer then introduced Dr. Amal David, director of community
relations at Arab America. With the event falling on Mother's Day, Dr.
David read a poem dedicated to mothers by the late renowned Palestinian
poet Mahmoud Darwish. Each Mother was presented a flower as a symbol of
love and respect. She also thanked the 21 volunteers which comprised
the host committee for the event.
Lebanese vocalist Ziad Khoury opened the program with renditions of
popular music from Lebanon and the Levant.. His repertoire included
several selections of Lebanese folkloric music featuring unparalleled
"attabas" which were easily identifiable by the audience and reminiscent
of music affecting the richness of Arab music.
Prior to his performance, the Arab Idol, Mohammed Assaf was escorted by a
group of community members who jubilantly chanted "zeffi" (a
celebration chant) accompanied by Arab drummers.
Assaf's program included a resounding selection of Arab and Palestinian
musical selections. Known for his "mawals," the audience witnessed
breath taking melismas for which he is famous.
The highlight of his performance was the vocalization of the newly
released hit "Ya Halali Ya Mali," The song recently released as a video
was filmed at the Bourj el-Barajneh refugee camp in Lebanon; it reflects
Assaf's commitment to the Palestinian diaspora and his passion to
salute Palestinian determination and unity through his music. His
performance of the song was accompanied by the "Faris El Layl" dabke
troupe coordinated by Mohammad Abou-Elhawa.
Prior to and after the concert, there were numerous exhibits of
literature and cultural artifacts from many of the Arab American
organizations in the Washington DC area--reaffirming a call for unity
and cohesiveness in the Arab American community.
Arab America (www.arabamerica.com) is a national (for-profit)
organization founded with the purpose of promoting an accurate image
about the Arab American community and the Arab world through digital
media, cultural and educational events.
View photos from the event.
Watch video from the event.
***
As a "child of UNRWA," Mohammed Assaf is the ideal individual to
be the first goodwill ambassador in the more than six decades of our
history. A Palestine refugee himself, he grew up in the Khan Younis camp
in Gaza. Not long ago, he was one of the over 220,000 students
attending the Agency's 245 schools in Gaza. For him, the connection
continued at home: His mother, too, was an UNRWA teacher. Throughout his
childhood – at school, at the doctor's, at community centres – he saw
firsthand the work that UNRWA does for Palestine refugees.
Since his appointment in June 2013, by Commissioner-General
Filippo Grandi, as the Agency's Regional Youth Ambassador for Palestine
Refugees, the 23-year-old Arab Idol winner has used his voice and his
talent to help UNRWA give other young people the same support it gave
him. With the universal language of his music, he carries the message of
UNRWA and young Palestine refugees to new audiences, including in the
region – to Dubai and Kuwait – and even further. In November 2013, he
took that message to the United States, bringing the voice of Palestine
refugee youth to the United Nations in New York City.
UNRWA is unique among UN agencies, both for its long-standing commitment
to one group of refugees – the Palestine refugees - and for its direct
provision of services including education, health care and relief to
those refugees. But being unique doesn't mean that UNRWA can act alone:
We have always depended on our partners, including our hosts and donors,
to help us best serve Palestine refugees. Now, we are proud also to
work with individuals who can add their voice to ours, spreading the
word about Palestine refugees and reminding people who may be far away
that they are not just a regional concern or a relic of the past.
