Since September 11, Arabs and Muslims have often found themselves bearing a heavy load of suspicion and scapegoating in the United States. Misunderstanding and prejudice have a particular impact on Arab women in this country, who confront gender issues in their own communities as well as a larger set of cultural and gender biases from non-Arab Americans.

The status of women and minorities is a core issue for all Americans – women and men of all races and ethnicities. Manal El-Hrisse, Bahiyyeh Ahmad and Maha Jarad together have decades of experience in tackling women’s issues in Chicago’s Arab American community. Join these community activists to discuss the issues and challenges that Arab women in America confront in the wake of September 11, to spark a wider dialogue on shared issues and common concerns, and to discuss new strategies for empowering women and advancing progressive social change.

Manal El-Hrisse: El-Hrisse will talk about the impact that September 11 and its aftermath has had on Arab women in the United States.

Bahiyyeh Ahmad: Ahmad will talk about the fragmentation of social and community life for Arab women in the U.S. and the ramifications for Arab women, their communities and the larger culture.

Maha Jarad: Jarad will talk about the status and standing of Arab women in this country in the wake of the demise of strong Arab women’s organizations in the United States.

Sponsored by the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee and Students for Justice in Palestine. For more information, email enasm (at) hotmail.com or call 847-630-4364.