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Detroit-area Arab-Americans Urge Barack Obama to 'Stop Wars, Make Peace' in Syria
As a military conflict in Syria seems imminent, Arab-Americans in Dearborn are urging the U.S. to choose peace.
More than 60 representatives from area mosques and Arab organizations gathered in Dearborn Wednesday to establish a cohesive response to the what seems to be the U.S.’s intent to attack Syria.
A demonstration urging President Baack Obama to refrain from military action is planned outside Dearborn City Hall at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The issue is especially personal in Dearborn where nearly 42 percent of the city’s population is of Arab heritage, based on 2010 U.S. Census data.
The opponents of military intervention call strikes on Syria a “destructive adventure” and urge Obama “not to repeat his predecessors'”mistakes and warmongering.”
“Obama’s recent approach to the Syrian civil war is a striking reminder of George W. Bush’s failing approach to Iraq, which led to the immoral, still-unjustified invasion of the country in 2003,” the collective statement says. “The war on Iraq has killed over one million people, displaced millions and left the country broken, divided and prone to violence that continues to destroy and devastate Iraqi lives today.
“It also has inflicted severe consequences on our nation’s standing and credibility in the world, killed and wounded thousands of our soldiers and driven our economy to the brink of bankruptcy.”
Osama Siblani, the publisher of the Arab American News and spokesman for the Congress of Arab-American Organizations, planned the Wednesday gathering.
He said everyone was invited, even the those who support military action.
“It’s not about taking sides,” he said.
The U.S. has armed rebels in Syria who are in conflict with their government.
Obama said the U.S. has concluded that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s military is responsible for a Aug. 21 chemical strike that is the impetus for the recent talks of intervention by the U.S.
“I have no interest in any kind of open-ended conflict in Syria,” Obama said during an interview with the PBS NewsHour. “But we do have to make sure that when countries break international norms on chemical weapons they are held accountable.”
The Washington Post reports that U.N. weapons inspectors are expected to vacate Syria by Saturday.
Siblani says the rebels have “legitimate grievances” that need to be addressed, but the U.S. doesn’t “have to destroy the country.”
“There is an investigative team on the scene so they should at least, before they hype it up like this, they should wait and get all the facts,” he said, adding that if there is any action it should be supported by the United Nations, not rogue. “Who appointed us God, who appointed us the police of the world.”
A previous June 30 protest in Dearborn against the arming of Syrian rebels by the U.S. government drew nearly 200.
<blockquote>Representatives of Arab American organizations, faith leaders and activists met at the Lebanese Heritage Club on Wednesday, Aug. 28, and issued the following statement:
Arab Americans: Mr. Obama, stop wars, make peace
DEARBORN– The Arab American community in Metro Detroit is concerned about the recent developments surrounding a possible, imminent U.S.-led attack on Syria, and what consequences such a destructive adventure would bring to the already bloodied and explosive situation in the region.
The Obama Administration’s policies in the Middle East have been a major source of instability and uncertainty. We are surprised that President Obama, who was elected on a platform promising “change,” is repeating his predecessors’ mistakes and warmongering, disappointing the people who believed and voted for him.
Obama’s recent approach to the Syrian civil war is a striking reminder of George W. Bush’s failing approach to Iraq, which led to the immoral, still-unjustified invasion of the country in 2003. The war on Iraq has killed over one million people, displaced millions and left the country broken, divided and prone to violence that continues to destroy and devastate Iraqi lives today. It also has inflicted severe consequences on our nation’s standing and credibility in the world, killed and wounded thousands of our soldiers and driven our economy to the brink of bankruptcy. Recent polls indicate clearly that the overwhelming majority of Americans do not want any form of intervention in Syria. The president should listen attentively to the American public and attend to the American national interests. We, Arab Americans, share the views and concerns of our fellow citizens.
We also take this opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria, regardless of who stands behind this heinous crime. We demand an independent, credible investigation to determine the perpetrators of chemical attacks, so they can be punished accordingly.
We equally condemn the recent rash of violence against innocent civilians–Christians and Muslims, mosques and churches— that is engulfing Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine.
We ask Arab governments to exercise their responsibility to protect their populations from terrorism and respect the rights of their citizens.
Also, we expect our own American government to act in accordance with the founding principles of our great nation and refrain from meddling in other countries’ affairs while focusing its attention on the needs of its own people. We demand our president and Congress to respect international law and the constitution, and oppose financing or leading unapproved wars against other sovereign nations.
We express our support for all efforts to bring all Syrians together to negotiate a peaceful solution to the crisis. We embrace attempts to convene Geneva II as a political means to resolve the Syrian conflict.
For questions, contact Osama Siblani:
osiblani@arabamericannews.com
Osama Siblani</blockquote>
David Muller
MLive