YALLA VOTE ‘08 Our Voice. Our Future.

No, Outlandish isn’t relocating the states. The presence of the Danish trio, however, has gone from dream to reality in six U.S. cities thanks to MAS (Muslim American Society) “Youth for Change”.

MAS Youth organized a six city tour called “Voices for Change” for the Muslim hip hop group. Tampa, Florida was the first stop on the tour, and I had the opportunity to attend. The concert was held at the Sun Dome at the University of South Florida.

The opening acts for the show were hand selected by MAS, and included groups that addressed social issues and moral living. One of the groups that opened was D-Clique, a Muslim-American rap duo from Tampa. The other was Raef Band, a more rock ‘n roll style band from Germantown, Maryland.

Raef will be opening for Outlandish at all of the other shows on the tour. Each city also has it’s own local talent opening. The best news is, AAI’s Yalla Vote teams will have tables at the events in Michigan and California, so if you go to one of the concerts, please stop by, say hello, get some bumper stickers and buttons, and sign the petition.

If you live in Tampa or Chicago, you’ve already missed it. But, Outlandish will be performing in four more cities this month. They include Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas.

In addition to hearing some great music from progressive artists, I had the opportunity to talk with MAS organizers and representatives about Yalla Vote during the intermission, and I look forward to building a relationship with the Muslim American Society of Tampa.

There is only one week left to apply for a paid Field Organizing internship position!

The AAI is looking for a few good full and part-time students, graduate students and recent college graduates. We are looking for individuals who can hit the ground running! Applicants should be highly motivated, flexible and excited about working for the Arab American campaign, “Our Voice, Our Future: Yalla Vote 2008”. Interns must be available to work at least ten weeks for 40 hours per week during summer months, and 20 hours per week from Labor Day through the general elections in November.

The Arab American Institute’s Yalla Vote ‘08 campaign is an effort to bring the issues that matter most
to our community–civil liberties, immigrant rights, Middle East peace and cultural tolerance–to the
forefront of debate for the 2008 election season. Help us make our voices heard this November!

For full details, please visit the AAI’s Student Resource Center and apply today!