The Arab American Institute (AAI)reconvened its Annual Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards Gala.
The Arab American Institute (AAI), after a five-year hiatus due to COVID-19, reconvened its Annual Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards Gala.
CRS was honored to be a partner and sponsor in such a time as this—when the world once again bears witness to genocide, multiple wars, and the rise of unapologetic dictators who wield militarism, poverty, and racism to advance their abuse of power.
Our support for the Palestinian people is deeply aligned with CRS’s enduring commitment to be vessels of love and peace throughout the diaspora—whether in Chicago, Congo, Palestine, Sudan, or wherever bigotry and white supremacy take root.
Together with representatives from Howard University, Georgetown University, and other activists and movement leaders for peace in the greater Washington, D.C. area, CRS stood in solidarity with AAI as it honored Palestinian journalists and Black and Brown advocates for justice in the United States. We celebrated AAI’s longstanding legacy of truth-telling and its unwavering advocacy for equity and justice.
AAI also shares a rich history with Chicago. Its founder, Dr. James Zogby, famously nominated Rev. Jesse Jackson for president at the 1984 Democratic National Convention. This fall, AAI joined CRS, Rainbow PUSH, and others in celebrating Rev. Jackson’s 84th birthday in Chicago.
CRS will continue striving to build Beloved Community, to pursue justice and accountability at the intersection of faith and advocacy, and to uphold our century-old mission—love.
As Kahlil Gibran reminds us:
“Hearts united in pain and sorrow
will not be separated by joy and happiness.
Bonds that are woven in sadness
are stronger than the ties of joy and pleasure.
Love that is washed by tears
will remain eternally pure and faithful.”
(Kahlil Gibran, Love Letters in the Sand: The Love Poems of Kahlil Gibran)
Let our hearts unite—even in this time of suffering and unrest—with faithful assurance that joy is on the horizon.
Rev. Dr. Waltrina N. Middleton, Executive Director, Community Renewal Society