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Arab/Muslim American Community Loses Prominent Leader
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Hala Maksoud
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By
Neveen A. Salem, Staff Writer, IOL Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON,
April 27 (IslamOnline) – Dr. Hala Maksoud, a prominent and visionary
leader in the American Arab/Muslim community died Friday after a long
and arduous bout with cancer.
One
of the most influential and important leaders in the American Arab
Anti-Discrimination’s (ADC) history, Maksoud served as ADC President
from 1996 to 2001. Maksoud had been actively involved with ADC since
its inception in 1980, and was a member of the Executive Committee of
the Board of Directors for many years.
Maksoud
held a Ph.D. in political theory and an M.A. in government from
Georgetown University, and an M.A. in mathematics from the American
University of Beirut. She taught courses at George Mason University
and at Georgetown.
In
addition to her academic career, Maksoud was a prominent Arab-American
leader and participated in founding several organizations, including
the American Committee on Jerusalem (ACJ), the Association of
Arab-American University Graduates (AAUG), and the Arab Women's
Council (AWC). Maksoud was a nationally recognized advocate of civil
and human rights, and was the recipient of a lifetime achievement
award from the American Immigration Law Foundation in March 2002.
A
prayer service is set for Saturday, April 27 during midday prayers
(app. 1:00 pm EST) at the Islamic Center in Washington, DC. A private
burial ceremony will be held after the prayer service.
Hala
Maksoud is survived by her husband, Dr. Clovis Maksoud, former
Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the United States and the
United Nations, and current professor of international relations at
American University.
ADC
President Ziad Asali released a statement after her death saying,
"This is a devastating loss for the entire Arab-American
community, as well as for me personally. Hala was a visionary leader
who charted a path to empowerment we will be following for many years
to come.
“Her
extraordinary command of politics was matched by exceptional
compassion and a genuine commitment to human rights. She had a
remarkable ability to communicate effectively with and inspire people
of very different cultural and political backgrounds and across lines
of religion and social class. Leaders of Hala's caliber are
exceedingly rare and we shall miss her guidance and wise counsel. Our
task now at ADC is to try to live up to the standard she set for us
all."
IslamOnline
chose not to contact family members for statements out of respect for
their loss.
Yahya
M. Basha, chairman of the American Muslim Council (AMC), mourned her
loss and told IslamOnline that the community and nation has “truly
lost one of its most valuable figures.”
“She
was an exceptional lady who made major contributions to the community
as well as the nation. She was a compassionate and capable leader who
has truly made a difference.
“Under
her leadership, ADC was revived and has evolved into a strong and
powerful organization. We missed her in the tough times. And we will
continue to miss her during the tough times ahead for our community as
her leadership was remarkable,” Basha concluded.
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