As I waited to board my flight in Amsterdam with Amman as my final destination, I couldn’t help but notice how symbolic NAAMA’s convention this year is.It has not been long since NAAMA was in Amman. In 2006 more than 400 members and their families enjoyed the warm Jordanian hospitality and the splendors and wonders of this country.
And here we are again back in Amman, but this year with a different taste. One cannot ignore that a lot has changed since then in the Arab World. And one cannot deny that many of our beloved mother countries are not experiencing the luxury of peace that we enjoy here.
It is not a secret that a lot of debate amongst our members and their families weighed into their decision whether to join our convention this year or not. But for NAAMA, this is not an option.
Coming to Amman, or to any other Arab city every year is the core of NAAMA’s mission. It is essential to our existence. As I mentioned previously, we do not come here for sightseeing as tourists, but we come home to learn from and learn with our colleagues.
But this year, coming home has a whole new meaning; it shows that regardless of all the challenges, NAAMA’s resolve to be with our people and families will never waiver. We will enjoy our stay with our Jordanian brothers and sisters, and then we will continue to Jerusalem; another reason to add to the symbolic importance of this convention. Many of us are eager to return to Jerusalem where we left their hearts in 2000.
Here in Amman and in Jerusalem we will stand as we do every year, Arab Americans from all backgrounds, Syrians, Iraqis, Lebanese, Jordanians and many others, as one big family in solidarity with ALL our brothers and sisters, those who are enjoying peace and those who are still waiting.
I welcome you to Amman and Jerusalem on behalf of NAAMA.
