YALLA VOTE ‘08 Our Voice. Our Future.

s as we move towards the elections, the feeling of excitement and hope flows within the Arab American community here in Orange County. People gathering for get-togethers, Friday prayer, or a casual coffee, are all talking about politics. It seems that folks are unclear on the different stands each candidate takes and what they stand for. This is why everyone needs to do their homework, get to know their candidates, and decide based on where they stand, not how they sound or what the latest political commercial tries to sell you.

Here in Orange County, we’ve been stressing the importance of making an educated vote this November, All through Ramadan. I was at the mosque getting Arab Americans registered to vote. Doing, this enabled me to hit three birds with one stone. Breaking my fast, engaging myself with the community and getting them more politically aware of the elections.

In addition, during Ramadan as we all fasted, I helped in “Humanitarian Day”. Humanitarian Day is held during the holy month of Ramadan and sends volunteers into a city’s poorest area to feed the homeless and

provide them with items of clothing, hygiene and medical screening. There these men and women are treated with courtesy, respect and compassion. From its more modest beginning in 2000, Humanitarian Day now reaches 27 cities and was introduced into the African nation of Ghana last year . This was a very eye-opening experience for me, and it was rewarding to do a good deed. Several Arab American organizations came together and helped almost 300 people. It was great, seeing that yes, Arab Americans can join together to help out one another. It empowers the “Yalla Vote” campaign even more.

In the coming weeks, will be filled with hours of preparation for the big event. Watch out for the” Yalla Vote” Bus on Brookhurst in Anaheim on November 4th. Until the next time. Take care and Salam.