Monthly Archives: January 2013

Chuck Hagel Remarks at the 2007 Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference

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Senator Chuck Hagel at the 2007 Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference

Senator Chuck Hagel served as a keynote speaker at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ 2007 Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference. Senator Hagel, then near the end of his second term in the U.S. Senate, spoke about the fundamental similarities underpinning U.S.-Arab relations, noting:

We’re all the same in the most fundamental ways.  It matters little what your religion is, what your color of your skin is, what region of the world is your background, what your culture is, what your tradition is, what your history is.  What matters most?  Family, peace, opportunity, some ability of some human dignity, to express that dignity, to express your opinions, to express some sense of liberty, your own choice.  That’s not unique to Christianity or Judaism or Islam, that I’m aware of.  It is a common interest; it is a common purpose for all mankind.

Senator Hagel’s complete remarks are available below.

Listen to Senator Hagel’s remarks (.mp3)

Click to access 1025-Luncheon-Aujali-Hagel.pdf

Sultan Qaboos Embarks on Annual Meet-the-People-Tour

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Earlier this month, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said began his annual Meet-the-People-Tour. During this tour Sultan Qaboos visits Omani cities, towns, and villages to better understand people’s needs. The video above is from his visit to Seeh Al Shamikha, where Sultan Qaboos gave a speech about where Oman is heading before meeting one-on-one with members of the community.

Further Reading:

Gulf in the News – January 30, 2013

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The Common Lessons of Benghazi, Algeria, Mali, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Arab Spring

Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies (Read full story)

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It will be a struggle to help nations deal with the broad range of forces that are currently causing so much instability in the Arab world, to modernize and evolve where they can, and to help the new political factions that take power move forward quickly and with as little violence as possible. The end result will not be a war on terrorism, although it will involve many extremists and terrorist elements; it will be dealing with a clash within Islam rather than a clash between civilizations.The United States will have to deal with a kaleidoscope of shifting governments, factions, and ideologies. There will be many more cases where seemingly stable regimes implode and find themselves dealing with extremists, terrorists, civil conflicts, and failed or failing leaders and governments.

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Summer 2013 Arabic Language Study Abroad Opportunities

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The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is pleased to offer students the following Summer 2013 Arabic language study abroad opportunities:

 

Summer Intensive Language Program at The Arab-American Language Institute in Morocco 

The National Council, in collaboration with The Arab-American Language Institute in Morocco (AALIM) for the summer of 2013, is pleased to announce its Summer Language program in the Kingdom of Morocco. Students will spend six weeks in historic Meknes, Morocco taking part in an intensive Arabic language program. Students at all levels of Arabic proficiency are encouraged to apply. The AALIM center is host to a community of Arabic learners throughout the summer, providing for a fully immersive program. Those selected will also gain direct personal experience in Moroccan culture, history, and society through a variety of day excursions, local outings, workshops and demonstrations.

Learn more: http://ncusar.org/study-abroad/aalim

 


 

Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture at Lebanese American University 

Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture (SINARC)The Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture (SINARC) is a multi-faceted language and cultural immersion program that welcomes students from all over the world. The SINARC program is hosted each year at the Lebanese American University (Beirut Campus), one of the premier institutions of higher education and research in Lebanon and the region. SINARC offers courses in Arabic language and culture at various levels of proficiency. Cultural activities include weekly lectures on topics related to Arab and Lebanese politics, history, society, and culture. In addition, students partake in a series of excursions to historical, cultural and tourist sites.

Learn more: http://ncusar.org/study-abroad/lau

 



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Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture at Lebanese American University (Beirut Campus)

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The Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture (SINARC) is a multi-faceted language and cultural immersion program that welcomes students from all over the world. In operation for over 14 years, SINARC has quickly become a top choice for Arabic language learners looking not only to improve their language skills but also to gain an understanding of the cultural and social dynamics in the region.

The SINARC program is hosted each year at the Lebanese American University (Beirut Campus), one of the premier institutions of higher education and research in Lebanon and the region. The campus situated in the heart of the Lebanese capital provides students a unique perspective on Lebanese culture and daily life.

SINARC offers courses in Arabic language and culture at various levels of proficiency. Each level provides twenty hours per week of intensive classroom instruction, including five hours per week of Lebanese Dialect. Formal language instruction is enriched by immersion in an authentic cultural context. Cultural activities include weekly lectures on topics related to Arab and Lebanese politics, history, society, and culture. In addition, students partake in a series of excursions to historical, cultural and tourist sites throughout Lebanon and Syria.

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Gulf in the News – January 28, 2013

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King Abdullah’s  proposal to drive Arab economic growth

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

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During the Jan. 21-22 conference that was held in the Saudi capital, King Abdullah urged Arab leaders to increase the capitals of Arab joint companies and funds by 50 percent to speed up Arab economic recovery.
The proposal, which was to channel an additional $ 10 billion to Arab economies in new funds, was endorsed by the summit. The move has been welcomed by Arab businessmen, saying it would have a big impact on increasing inter-Arab trade and investment.

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Gulf in the News – January 25, 2013

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Click HereKingdom regrets global inaction on Israeli violations

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Saudi Arabia has stressed that the resolution of the Palestinian issue is key to achieving regional and world peace, particularly under the current circumstances in the Middle East. “Israel has been reacting to the United Nations decision to grant Palestine a nonmember observer state status by approving the settlement expansion of thousands of new residential units. At the same time, the occupying authority has intensified its persecution of the Palestinian people. Moreover, it has denied the Palestinian Authority its tax and customs revenue in clear violation of the Paris Protocol,” said Abdullah Al-Muallami, the Kingdom’s permanent representative at the United Nations, while addressing the Security Council in New York on Wednesday.

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Intensive Arabic Language Program at the Center for International Learning in Muscat, Oman

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Scholarship Opportunity for the Intensive Arabic Language Program at the

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is pleased to offer students a scholarship opportunity for intensive Arabic language study at the Center for International Learning (CIL) in Muscat, Oman.

Program Details:

CIL invites you to learn and grow through study in the Sultanate of Oman, an Italy-sized nation on the Arabian Sea. For years students have found this an ideal setting for their international study, a nation of warm and welcoming people who practice a form of Islam – Ibadhism – that practices tolerance and acceptance of others. CIL provides students with the learning experiences needed to become world citizens.

Comprised of Americans and Omanis with PhD and Masters Degrees, the CIL faculty facilitates experiential education, cultural exchange, and comparative studies to deepen understanding, promote common interests, and explore the shared aspirations of people from different cultures. CIL offers students the chance of a lifetime–the kind of understanding that yields lasting friendship, tolerance and mutual respect.

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