Name: Aref Assaf
Assaf is president of the American Arab
Forum, a Paterson-based think tank specializing
in Arab and Muslim affairs. The organization's
Web site is aafusa.org. He owns a limousine
company that is based in Denville.
Hometown: Denville
Age: 49
Education: Bachelor's degree in political
science, Drew University, 1981; master's degree
in political science, London School of
Economics, 1982; doctorate in political science,
Columbia University, 1985.
Hobby: Collecting model cars; he owns
approximately 2,000.
Background: Raised in a Palestinian refugee
camp on the West Bank.
Family: He has been married for 17 years to
Elham, a stay-at-home mother. He is the father
of five children, ranging in age from 4 to 16.
Quote: "Thank God, thank America; America
made this happen" (referring to the influence
and affluence he has now, after growing up in
poverty in the Middle East).
