YALLA VOTE ‘08 Our Voice. Our Future.

As we all gear up for our last push before the election, we’re asking you to help us find volunteers to make calls this month, using an exciting, new on-line tool that makes it easy for us to get out the Arab American vote.

Yes, we’re all really busy, but the Yalla Vote Virtual Phone Bank makes it simple to reach out to registered Arab American voters across America.

Here’s how the Yalla Vote Virtual Phone Bank works:

1. Fill out the fast, simple form at www.aaiusa.org/volunteer.
2. You will receive an e-mail with details of how to log onto the Yalla Vote Virtual Phone Bank and get started.
3. Set aside an hour or two between 10AM and 9:00PM on days of your choosing to call registered Arab American voters and remind them to vote on November 4th.

We’re asking for just an hour or two of your time to give this easy, convenient system a try. Call registered Arab American voters and remind them to vote on November 4th. If you like the system, you can make as many calls as you like.

It can’t be simpler-and it couldn’t be more important. The stakes have never been higher. It’s our voice. It’s our future. Click here now and make a difference.

Thank you for your help.

With the November election looming and the candidates in a dead heat in Virginia, the impact of a pronounced Arab American turnout is now more significant than ever. According to a recent poll conducted by the Washington Post-ABC News (see the Washington Post article, “Obama, McCain in Tight Race in Va., Poll Shows“), Barack Obama leads John McCain 49%-46% among Virginia voters with a 4% margin of error. The state is up for grabs right now, and Arab Americans need to get out the vote in this key state come November.

Though traditionally a Republican-voting state, Virginia’s recent political and demographic activity now suggests otherwise. Democrat Jim Webb’s 2006 Senate win over incumbent Republican George Allen proved that the voting model for Virginia is changing. With an influx of minority ethnic groups, particularly in North Virginia, both candidates have taken to courting the increasingly important minority vote.

The Arab American Institute is hosting Candidate Nights and Issue Forums in key states across the country.  Please come join us at our 20th Annual Virginia Candidates Night on Sunday, October 5, 2008, 6:00 – 9:00 pm. For complete details, click here.

Swing states Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Michigan make up 30% of Arab American votes. Arab Americans make up 2% of Virginia voters, and if the recent survey is of any indication, it will be a crucial vote indeed.

Saturday night was the first of two Candidates’ Nights in Florida. It was co-sponsored by the Center for Voter Advocacy, who did an incredible job. Arabs and Muslims from all over south Florida came to the Signature Grand in Davie to hear candidates speak, have dinner, and talk about how to get involved this election.

At the Yalla Vote table, we provided literature on the Yalla Vote campaign, as well as opportunities for people to sign up to help with future projects, such as making Get Out The Vote phone calls.

Maram Abdelhamid

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Yalla Vote at the Islamic Center of Detroit!

We have been out and registering people to vote here in Michigan by hitting every mosque and church in town. On Friday, September 5th, 2008, Yalla Vote had a voter registration and information table at the Islamic Center of Detroit in Michigan. We registered new voters and reminded them about how important it is to make our voices heard this November. Hassan Abraham assisted me in registering people and also getting signatures for the National Declaration.

Everyone was excited about the Yalla Vote Campaign and appreciated us being there and expressed gratitude. Many young people were present and wanted to be a part of our upcoming events in Michigan.

Three young people , Walid Ali, Suheib Bukhatmi, Mohamed Al-Jabbery, offered to help us with voter registration and also expressed interest in volunteering for their candidate of choice. This election is crucial and we will be registering more people to vote to increase Arab American participation . If you know a church or mosque we haven’t been at in Michigan, contact me via e-mail at aai-Michigan@yallavote.org and let us know!

-Jana

After a blogging hiatus for a 2 week Jury Duty stint, and some beginning of school/ LSAT prep madness, I have returned to update everyone on the happenings in the world of Yalla Vote New York. As you know, the congressional primaries are fast approaching, and the 13th District will choose its candidate tomorrow, September 9th.

As the Yalla Vote Field Organizer in New York, I have had the opportunity and the privilege to interact with the major players in the race for the 13th District. All of the candidates are out in full force looking for votes, and trying to pick up the pieces left over from the Vito Fosella scandal, which rocked the 13th District, and upset the balance of what has historically been a Republican-leaning voting population. Among the hopefuls are Steve Harrison (D), Michael McMahon (D), and Jamshad Wyne (R), all of whom I have had an opportunity to connect with. In particular I have had conversations with Mr. Wyne and Mr. Harrison about the importance of Arab American political involvement, and about the concerns of many Arab American voters.

Regardless of who emerges from the fray on September 9th, Arab American voters in the 13th District will have the opportunity to grill those candidates at the Yalla Vote Candidates Night. Yalla Vote will be hosting the Democratic and Republican nominees at Widdi Catering Hall on 56th St. and 6th Avenue at 6:30pm on October 23rd. Of course food will be served, and the dialogue between candidate and voter promises to be interesting. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of the 13th District congressional primary. Until then…

-Matt

AAI President Dr. James Zogby spoke on July 18, 2008 at the City Club of Cleveland– “U.S. Middle East Policy & the 2008 Elections: A Critical Moment” (click here to hear Dr. Zogby’s speech). Later that day, he met with members of the local Arab American community, including members of C.A.M.E.O., AACCESS-Ohio, and AAI Ohio members. Dr. Zogby encouraged the community to become involved in this year’s election and answered questions about his talk that he did not get to answer earlier at the City Club.

St. George Festival in Toledo

St. George’s Church in Toledo, Ohio held its annual festival that same weekend. Although it rained on and off, hundreds came to experience Middle Eastern culture and socialize. And Yalla Vote was there with a table and volunteers collected signatures for the National Declaration and registered voters.

C.A.M.E.O. Annual Picnic

On July 20 in Cleveland, the Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization had its annual picnic at German Central Farm, inviting members of the Arab American community and local elected officials and candidates. I, along with a few volunteers, was also present collecting signatures and telling people about the Yalla Vote campaign.

Until next time…Yalla Vote!

-Nadia

How do you define Platform? Plank?? PARTY???

Whether you’re a lone thinker or a social butterfly, there’s a way for you to make your hopes for the next administration heard.

AAI knows how to do it. Do you?

What are you doing next week? The Obama Campaign and the Republican Party have offered all Americans the opportunity to contribute to the Party Platforms this year. Arab Americans must make their voices heard in every way possible, and this is an extraordinary opportunity to do just that.

The Arab American Institute has made it easy for you to organize your own Platform Plank events, with forms and guidelines, and all the tools you’ll need to be a success. Don’t forget to use the language of the National Declaration to form your planks, and click here for instructions on how to get this done.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING!! If you form a platform plank event, please call AAI at (202) 420-0210, Community Relations, and we’ll send you Arab American Democrat/Republican buttons, signs, and other paraphernalia to make your party a success.

The Yalla Vote campaign is truly grateful to all of the sponsoring organizations that endorse it, and lend support. Recently, a Yalla Vote volunteer named Thomas Zraick paid a visit to one of our endorsers, the American Mideast Leadership Network at their Astoria office. The occasion was a pair of workshops for Arab Americans looking for help getting their resumes together, and making some networking connections. A number of the attendees were recent immigrants, and Yalla Vote was there stressing the importance of civic engagement and voting in the upcoming election. The event was very successful, and allowed for some great collaboration between the AMLN and Yalla Vote in building a strong and prosperous Arab American community. It’s always gratifying to see a Yalla Vote representative getting hands on with the community, but it’s even better when it’s one of our volunteers…and it’s EVEN BETTER when it’s a volunteer representing Yalla Vote in conjunction with one of our amazing sponsoring organizations. Bravo all around.

WOW Yalla Vote is in definitely in full swing…

As you may know, we are still in the midst of Arab American Heritage week in NYC which in true Arab fashion actually spans two weeks. For more information about Heritage Week,  visit http://arabheritagenyc.net/

Here’s what Yalla Vote has been up to in New York this past week or so:

1. The week began EARLY…around 7am to be exact, at the CBS early show, where I joined members of NAAP, the Arab American Association of Bay Ridge, and more to promote both Heritage Week and the Yalla Vote Declaration. I managed to weasel my way directly behind the interview taking place so my Shirt and sign were prominently displayed on national TV for a solid chunk of time. Here’s a picture of all of us with

CBS Early Show host Harry Smith

2. I went to promote the Declaration at a screening of Sling Shot Hip Hop at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens. The event was hosted by ArteEast, and was a huge success. The weather even managed to hold out long enough to allow us as a beautiful evening. The movie itself is remarkable, and if you haven’t already done so, go see it. Now. I gathered signatures, recruited volunteers, schmoozed, and saw a great film with the New York City skyline as the backdrop. Does it get better than that? I submit that it does not.

3. Yalla Vote put on a strong showing at Bay Ridge’s own Arab American Bazaar at in the 79th St. Shore Rd. Park. It was a beautiful day and a bazaar filled with vendors, performances, food, and family fun. I got a great tan from working the Yalla Vote table all day, and also got a lot of positive feedback from the community. We even got some attention from local Congressional candidate Steve Harrison, who was very excited to see the Arab American community encouraging one another to take part in the voting process.

All in all, it’s been an exciting and successful “week,” and it’s far from over. There are more great events on the way, and Yalla Vote will be there front and center! Until next time…

-Matt

On Saturday Night, June 28th, the Moroccan Congress of USA held their “Unite Tonight” for Obama event at Shiraz Grill in Orlando. The event was spearheaded by Jamila “Mimi” Chami, who is the director of the Moroccan Congress in Florida.

There was great Iranian food, live music, and of course, sheesha. The Moroccan Congress event at Shiraz was a great time to talk to the community about their political interests and get them to sign the National Declaration.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Moroccan Congress, click here to visit their website. Or, send me an e-mail and I’ll get you hooked up with the right people (after recruiting you as a volunteer of course :)).

And, for those of you who are SO sad that you missed this event, don’t worry… I’ll be having a meet and greet event on July 19th. Details to come soon! Yalla VOTE!!

P.S…. Let’s hear from the REPUBLICAN side of the aisle soon, ok? If you’re a Republican organizing in Florida, I’d love to hear from you and help you get out the vote!

-Mia