AAF testifies at Homeland Security Hearings

As a result of the Dubai ports controversy, several NJ State legislators rushed to introduce bills in Trenton- all against the deal, some more bizarre than others. The four bills were brought before the NJ homeland Security Committee for consideration. The 10 member Committee is led by Assemblywoman Joan Quigley. AAF regularly receives alerts on impending legislations and we saw an opportunity to present our view on this hot topic. We contacted the Chairwoman's office and requested to testify. On Monday February 26, we traveled the State Capitol in Trenton and President Aref gave the first testimony in opposition to both the bills and the general anti-Arab sentiments being fueled by politicians. You can read the statement online. Great media coverage was evident and our views were sought. We also published a letter by AAF's Salaheddin Mustafa in the Bergen Record. We urge members to continue to engage the media as we expect this matter to dominate forthcoming Congressional bills and the November elections.

AAF joins the national call for an office apology from Senator Lautenberg for his hateful and racist remarks. National Arab organizations joined into an action alert reprimanding the Senator and calling for an apology.

On Thursday, AAF contacted NJ largest cable TV station, Ch.12, and publicized our demand. We also succeeded in getting the Bergen Record to write a great op-ed on the subject in addition  to the Star Ledger taking up the press releases of the national organizations. The collective efforts of so many people and organizations culminated today in an article by CSNews.