Religion Press Release Services

April 25, 2006
Information: Mira Habiby Browne
(202) 429-9210 or mbrowne@aaiusa.org

For immediate release:

“Building Houses, Building Hope”
Representative Charles Boustany to Present Award

8th Annual Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Promotes Understanding

WASHINGTON—The Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF) is proud to announce that Habitat for Humanity will receive the 2006 “Kahlil Gibran Spirit” of Humanity Award for Institutional Achievement in recognition of its efforts to end the cycle of homelessness and poverty that millions of families endure.

"Kahlil Gibran was an inspiring author, artist and poet whose works have spoken to millions of people from all backgrounds in dozens of languages around the world," said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International's chief executive officer. "Habitat for Humanity itself seeks to embody many of the ideals Gibran embraced and to be similarly universal in its work to build decent housing with families from all races, religions and languages. We are deeply honored to be recognized by the Arab American Institute Foundation with the Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Award."

Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA) will be presenting the award to Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International's chief executive officer.

Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 homes for families in need throughout the world, providing more than one million people with secure and affordable housing. Through community and volunteer efforts, Habitat builds and rehabilitates houses in conjunction with the homeowner families who invest their own time and labor into the project. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable no-interest loans.

Habitat has active programs in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. Additionally, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Habitat announced “Operation Home Delivery,” a program designed to provide housing to those made homeless by the storm.

“It is an organization like Habitat for Humanity that offers a beacon of hope to those who seek to better their lives and the lives of their family by providing them with refuge and shelter,” said AAI President James Zogby. “In addition, thousands of volunteer builders who want to serve those in need have become empowered by Habitat’s programs.”

Past recipients of this award include Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Rock the Vote, Amnesty International, Reading is Fundamental, ALSAC/ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the YWCA of the USA. Each awardee has demonstrated a commitment to promoting co-existence and inclusion in all walks of life.

Information on the organization and its members may be found at www.habitat.org.

WHAT: 8th Annual Arab American --“Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards”
WHERE: JW Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
WHEN: May 3rd, 5:30pm
RSVP: Media covering RSVP to Mira Browne, 202-429-9210/ mbrowne@aaiusa.org

The Arab American Institute Foundation was established in 1995 as a 501(c) (3) organization to undertake programs that promote Arab American heritage, ethnic cooperation, demographic research and international exchange between the United States and the Arab world.