Presentation to CU meeting on February 12, 2004 by Yacoub E. Yacoub, MD, Chairman, Kentucky Chapter, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and Secretary, The American Palestine Public Affairs Forum
Fun fact: How much oil does the U.S. import from the Middle East? (See answer at end.)
Though his talk centered on global politics, Dr. Yacoub, a retired anesthesiologist at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, began with family photos. Here was a picture of his parents' formal wedding in Bethlehem in 1931; then a photo of his wife's college friends in Baghdad, dressed in the popular short skirts and outfits of the 1960s. Dr. Yacoub also showed photos of the flat roofs of Cairo, where he was born and raised in French schools after his parents left Bethlehem. He graduated from Medical School in 1959, following the turbulent times of Nasser's rise to power and the Suez Canal crisis. Then he went to Iraq, where he stayed until 1968. There he met his wife, also a physician. With Saddam Hussein's party poised to gain power, they left for further study in England and stayed until December of 1971; then to Boston and then to Louisville in 1973.
The whole world would like to be like we are in the U.S
Dr. Yacoub talked about the importance, particularly since 9/11, for Arabs to speak up, instead of hiding and looking suspicious. He talked of the clash of civilizations that is taking place, while insisting that "the whole world would like to like we are in the U.S." Lacking socio-political-economic means to achieve this, he said people turn to religion for hope. For most this is peaceful, but some take religion in a bad direction. Examples are as modern as Ossama bin Laden and as old as the Crusades, where Christian feudal lords in Europe, worrying about the rebellion of their subjects, sent them off on Crusades to liberate Jerusalem. In contrast, he talked about Andalusia, the part of Spain where at one time Jews, Muslims and Christians cooperated, producing an advanced civilization as compared with what was happening in Europe at the time. Maria Rosa Menocal, Professor at Yale University, described Andalusia as the "Ornament of the World." This is until Northern Spanish Christians conquered the area and began the Inquisition, first attacking Jews and then Muslims.
How does this help?
Dr. Yacoub spoke of how movies have portrayed Arabs as "villains." He also showed three quotes from prominent Christian ministers using anti-Muslim rhetoric. "How does this help?" he asked, noting that all religions have similar bases, like the Ten Commandments. He talked about how some far-right Christians and Israeli political action committees in the US are opposing the only Middle East solution he feels is viable--a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.
We must work for human rights and not for territory
In Louisville, Jews approached Palestinians to dialogue about peace. Dr. Yacoub said they agreed, insisting that they talk to each other as Americans and that they work on solutions. He explained that the two-state solution is the only way to preserve a Jewish state in a region where Jews are the minority. There has to be a federation because they are so dependent on each other. "We must work for human rights and not for territory," he said. "There was a lot of cooperation after the Oslo peace talks, but extremists on both sides are ruling now and hurting their own people." He added that, though he wants the UN to institute a "global Marshall Plan," it is really only the US that has the financial support and power to uphold Palestinian and Israeli states. "Action towards peace must come from Washington, not the EU, UN, etc."
An organization has been formed recently called the American Palestine Public Affairs Forum and Dr. Yacoub urged support for it as it promotes US involvement in a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. He explained how a very Muslim Palestinian member of the Forum said, "We must do this in a Muslim way." "Indeed," said Dr. Yacoub, "the Koran says 'I give you a brain, use it!'"
For more information, people may link to the American Palestine Public Affairs Forum, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee website, or the website of its Kentucky chapter.
Fun fact answer: The U.S. gets only about 3% of its oil from the Middle East, whereas France and Germany are much more dependent on Middle Eastern oil supplies. It is important to remember that the oil companies who control the spigot control the end users that are dependent upon it.
Fun fact: How much oil does the U.S. import from the Middle East? (See answer at end.)
Though his talk centered on global politics, Dr. Yacoub, a retired anesthesiologist at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, began with family photos. Here was a picture of his parents' formal wedding in Bethlehem in 1931; then a photo of his wife's college friends in Baghdad, dressed in the popular short skirts and outfits of the 1960s. Dr. Yacoub also showed photos of the flat roofs of Cairo, where he was born and raised in French schools after his parents left Bethlehem. He graduated from Medical School in 1959, following the turbulent times of Nasser's rise to power and the Suez Canal crisis. Then he went to Iraq, where he stayed until 1968. There he met his wife, also a physician. With Saddam Hussein's party poised to gain power, they left for further study in England and stayed until December of 1971; then to Boston and then to Louisville in 1973.
The whole world would like to be like we are in the U.S
Dr. Yacoub talked about the importance, particularly since 9/11, for Arabs to speak up, instead of hiding and looking suspicious. He talked of the clash of civilizations that is taking place, while insisting that "the whole world would like to like we are in the U.S." Lacking socio-political-economic means to achieve this, he said people turn to religion for hope. For most this is peaceful, but some take religion in a bad direction. Examples are as modern as Ossama bin Laden and as old as the Crusades, where Christian feudal lords in Europe, worrying about the rebellion of their subjects, sent them off on Crusades to liberate Jerusalem. In contrast, he talked about Andalusia, the part of Spain where at one time Jews, Muslims and Christians cooperated, producing an advanced civilization as compared with what was happening in Europe at the time. Maria Rosa Menocal, Professor at Yale University, described Andalusia as the "Ornament of the World." This is until Northern Spanish Christians conquered the area and began the Inquisition, first attacking Jews and then Muslims.
How does this help?
Dr. Yacoub spoke of how movies have portrayed Arabs as "villains." He also showed three quotes from prominent Christian ministers using anti-Muslim rhetoric. "How does this help?" he asked, noting that all religions have similar bases, like the Ten Commandments. He talked about how some far-right Christians and Israeli political action committees in the US are opposing the only Middle East solution he feels is viable--a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.
We must work for human rights and not for territory
In Louisville, Jews approached Palestinians to dialogue about peace. Dr. Yacoub said they agreed, insisting that they talk to each other as Americans and that they work on solutions. He explained that the two-state solution is the only way to preserve a Jewish state in a region where Jews are the minority. There has to be a federation because they are so dependent on each other. "We must work for human rights and not for territory," he said. "There was a lot of cooperation after the Oslo peace talks, but extremists on both sides are ruling now and hurting their own people." He added that, though he wants the UN to institute a "global Marshall Plan," it is really only the US that has the financial support and power to uphold Palestinian and Israeli states. "Action towards peace must come from Washington, not the EU, UN, etc."
An organization has been formed recently called the American Palestine Public Affairs Forum and Dr. Yacoub urged support for it as it promotes US involvement in a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. He explained how a very Muslim Palestinian member of the Forum said, "We must do this in a Muslim way." "Indeed," said Dr. Yacoub, "the Koran says 'I give you a brain, use it!'"
For more information, people may link to the American Palestine Public Affairs Forum, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee website, or the website of its Kentucky chapter.
Fun fact answer: The U.S. gets only about 3% of its oil from the Middle East, whereas France and Germany are much more dependent on Middle Eastern oil supplies. It is important to remember that the oil companies who control the spigot control the end users that are dependent upon it.