Mr. Yacoub Zayed, President

Father John, The Honorable Janet Michael, Honored Guests, Friends, Family, and members of the American Federation of Ramallah. Good evening.    I am pleased to accept the presidency in such wonderful company.  There isn’t any other place I would rather be.  I am your honored servant.  With your help we shall have the AFRP soar to greater heights with continued unity, prosperity and integrity.

I owe a large amount of gratitude to each family that has paid its dues for their support in my successful campaign.  In this simple act, you have made a bold and powerful statement; this Federation is yours. 

You and I are now partners; we are inextricably linked as co-owners of this federation.  Now, we must march forward, brothers and sisters, hand in hand, together to meet the large task ahead of us. This undertaking will be so great that, if successful, will reform the very notion of what this Federation is and what it may become.

Our mission is to take steps to allow our federation to evolve from its current state into an entity that can better serve our extended family.  We must reinforce the structures we have seen as successful and reform those that concern us.  This can only be accomplished if we inject the federation with our time, our energy, our resources, and most importantly our soul.  For the federation is our culture, our community, our legacy; it is each and every one of us.

But it has features that are inefficient, and they must be changed.  These features have been entrenched in fifty years of history. From its inception, the federation was equipped with institutions that were designed to keep the power in a few hands. Lately, members have begun to feel detached.  WE must take the responsibility upon ourselves to become more involved in the daily operations and recreate this federation into an organic, populist entity that is both focused and functioning.  For it was the only body that kept us connected when we were establishing ourselves in this country so well known for breaking the bonds of traditional family structure. 

Without this federation, and without focusing on its preservation, we would be distanced in this vast country with very little to unite us.  By selecting me as your President, you have placed your faith in me to act as an intermediary for those who are and those who will become involved to channel your creative energy in the direction through which the Federation may benefit most. 

As the famous quote that graces the Wisconsin Capital Rotunda reads: “The Will of the People; The Law of the Land.”  Campaigning has taken me coast to coast and everywhere in between.  During this time, I heard your approvals and concerns and believe me when I say that based upon them I have created a plan to reinforce the greatest positives and reform all the negatives that concern us.

Before I reveal the road map of our presidency, I offer you a challenge.  I say to you, the federation is only as active as its members are involved, and the federation is only as successful as we are.  Living with this opportunity and responsibility requires that we bring our best each and everyday.  Our people, our children, and I are asking for your enthusiasm and talents.  Stand with me.  I assure you the only reason I have earned the distinction to lead is because I have walked amongst you. 

Our first goal is growth and solidarity.  We connect in one place only once a year, but throughout the year our talents and views can be connected in other ways.  Many decades ago, we confined ourselves to the communities in the upper Midwest. This is no longer the case as we have families who have moved, and will continue moving, to the smaller towns in the United States .  I have made it a goal in my travels, and will continue to do so, to seek out those members of our community and make them feel welcome.  I aim to keep the lines of communication open and ensure the availability of resources to each and every Ramallite.  This is an absolute necessity for the growth and well-being of our federation.

Last March, we took a great step to foster our solidarity by holding our mid-year meeting in the smaller community of San Diego .  Beyond completing a successful business meeting, it also gave us an opportunity to deepen the bonds for the entire weekend.  I am also happy to report to you that Cleveland has officially joined the ranks of communities with their own clubhouse.  It is a goal of our presidency to see to it that every community will have a clubhouse for their members regardless of size.

Our convention motto states, “The Dawning of the New Generation.”  These next words I direct towards that “New Generation.” With no disrespect to anyone…well, never mind…we’re getting old.  I used to have lovely, feathery hair and long sideburns that now I criticize my son for having.  The point is…you young professionals, your federation needs you. It needs your time, energy, and education. I assure you that the federation doesn’t only want your presence.  It wants and needs your thoughts, input, and expertise.  We paid for all those cds and DVDs and LBs, now we’d like for you to roll up your sleeves and come on board.  We can show you things and you can show us so much more. And together, we will continue the mission.

As Arab Americans we have an obligation to America .  It has given us many opportunities, one example being to raise our young ones into educated, dynamic people that we can all be proud of.   We repay this debt by being loyal and model citizens.  We also have an obligation to our homeland which does not come into conflict with our obligation to the United States .

Our beloved Palestine is under an occupation that is both terrifying and damaging by a force that is so aggressive and cruel that it barely deserves to be called human.  I doubt that any occupation in all the pages of world history is as horrifying as the one that began in 1948.  America ’s greatest power lies in the democratic structures which allow its citizens to voice their opinions and concerns freely, and its gentle heart that liberates those from the struggle.

To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”  Having the advantage of living here, it is our duty to resist the occupation in many diplomatic ways.  One is to keep a close tie to politicians and others in power that will support our cause. 

In the upcoming presidential election I regret to inform you that many of the candidates are fighting over who will get the lucrative Pro-Israeli donations.  They speak in front of AIPAC, the Pro Israeli lobby, and they reap the rewards while they turn a blind eye to the illegal occupation. They say there is no reason to support the Palestinians!  We must speak to them, for if we tell our story, they will listen.  We need only to look as far as Jimmy Carter, a former U.S. president, to see someone who has listened.  Let them hear us through the AFRP.   Also, we need to keep a close kinship with our people and our land in Palestine .  And to continue to frequent our country to assert that we have not left, and that we will not leave! We cannot be intimidated; and we must reconnect with our roots.

Tonight we have with us the federation’s representative in Ramallah, Miss Nijmeh Ganim.  Earlier, she updated us on the situation. Her job is to be the conduit between us here, and us there.

My fellow Ramallites, we have an obligation to ourselves. In order to continue our charitable deeds, and to realize a hope of expanding them, more funding is required.  We are over 30,000 strong in America , yet we only receive less than 1,500 paid memberships on average a year. Only 1,500 is unacceptable!   Paying your dues is only an investment in your federation, through the endowment fund, in your children through the Educational fund, and in your culture through your magazine. I encourage you to support your federation financially and pay your dues, for the benefits will greatly outweigh the cost.

I am very excited about the beginning of our presidency.  For updates from me, look for my report in each issue of our popular Hathihe Ramallah Magazine.  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and the magazine staff for their time and effort. 

I have been blessed to work with President Jamal Jubran and I am excited to team up with our new Deputy Mr. Emil Ajlouny.  I cannot emphasize enough that I would not be allowed this opportunity if it wasn’t for your total support, including that of friends and members who could not be with us tonight. Time will not allow me to say all of your names, but my appreciation is sincere.

I would now like to say a few words about the Houston community, my second home.  First, I’d like a round of applause for Dr. George Zaibaq, and his convention committee for a job well done.  I am not surprised with the hospitality we have seen in this town; Houston is widely known to be a generous community.  And to my family and friends, your continued support has kept me optimistic and anchored me in the belief that we can make the AFRP a greater organization.

Finally, I’d like to thank my immediate family for their patience, encouragement, and understanding. This is especially directed toward my charming wife, Rozette and supportive children and their spouses.

Here’s to the beginning of our presidency, a new AFRP, and the dawning of the new generation. Cheers!