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Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, December 2008, page 58 Arab-American Activism Bringing Arab-American Culture to The Nation’s Capital
IN HONOR of the Arab American National Museum’s (AANM) affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution, a reception was held Sept. 9 at the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Its affiliation with the Smithsonian gives the AANM the privilege of borrowing from the Smithsonian’s 36 million-piece collection, along with access to its great wealth of education and performing arts programs, speakers, workshops and technical assistance. Located in Dearborn, MI, the AANM is the first museum in the southeastern part of that state to be invited to be affiliated with the Smithsonian. The reception was held in the very room where the huge American flag that flew over Fort Henry during the War of 1812—and which inspired Frances Scott Key to write the “Star Spangled Banner”—was once hung. Among the guests in the packed room, which President Lincoln visited often during the Civil War, were Jordan’s Queen Noor, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI), U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL), as well as former Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. In his welcoming remarks Harold Closter, director of Smithsonian Affiliations, stated that the institution’s affiliation with the AANM helps to “distill misconceptions of Arab Americans by paying tribute to the diversity of our nation.” He went on to acknowledge the work of the preeminent Arab-American scholar Alixa Naff (see October 1996 Washington Report, p. 71). During the 1980s, Naff gathered hundreds of artifacts and documents pertaining to the Arab-American community’s history. She donated them to the Smithsonian, which now houses them in the newly renovated National Museum of American History on the National Mall.
The Smithsonian’s acting under secretary for history, art and culture, Richard Kurin, said he was proud to have the AANM as an official affiliate. “This is a big and timely job to do,” he explained, presenting the rich heritage of Arab Americans and thus teaching Americans about themselves and telling our friends about our nation.” AANM Director Anan Ameri told the crowd that the museum’s mission was to tell the world who the Arab Americans are, why they came to America, and what contributions they have made to this country. Through her research, Ameri said, she had made amazing discoveries—such as the fact that the first Arab set foot in this land in 1528. By 1900, she noted, there were Arabs in every state of the union. Arab Americans fought in the War of Independence, and on both sides of the American Civil War. “The story of Arab Americans is of a people simply seeking a better life for themselves and their families,” Ameri said. “When you look at it, the Arab American story is the American story—that is the bottom line.” —Jamal Najjab |
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