More than 400 guests attended the second annual Arab-American Day in Washington DC.
The League of Arab States, in coordination with the Council of Arab Ambassadors, hosted the event at the atrium of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Centre on December 4.
Guests included 12 Arab ambassadors, high-ranking officials from the World Bank, US Congress, the US state department, distinguished American friends, Arab-Americans representing their communities and Arab-American organisations in the United States.
They were able to enjoy traditional Arabic music and a selection of regional food and pastries.
Speakers included Andrew Gelfuso, vice president of the trade centre, and Hunaina Al Mughairy, Oman’s ambassador to the US.
The ambassador of the Arab League in Washington, Mohammed Al Hussaini Al Sharif, paid tribute to Lily Bandak, a disabled Arab-American artist who specialises in photography. Thirty notable Arab-American artists were included in an exhibition of 50 paintings and a few selected artistic photos.
Twenty artists, representing 12 Arab countries, were also a part of the event.
Mr Al Sharif also received a Governor’s Citation from Martin O’Malley, governor of Maryland, “in recognition of the Arab League’s dedication to the Arab-American community in the United States”.
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