February, 2008
A call to end the siege of Gaza
Responding to the recent crisis in Gaza, the National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus has issued a statement calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and urging the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to “take active measures to address American implication in and support of Israel’s occupation of Palestine.” Download the statement. [Read more] 
National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus
Recognized by the 208th General Assembly, the National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus (NMEPC) brings together all PC(USA) Middle Eastern Presbyterians, congregations, fellowships, Bible study groups and mission personnel serving in the Middle East. The Caucus’ mission statement is as follows:
“As Christian Middle Eastern Americans who trace their faith origin to the apostolic age, we have a particular responsibility to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ; to actively support the mission, witness and stewardship of the PC(USA) and to be a voice of justice, peace and reconciliation in the United States and the Middle East.”
The Caucus’s nine-member executive committee represents Middle Eastern Presbyterians before the denomination’s General Assembly, synods and presbyteries. The Caucus supports the ministry of Middle Eastern churches and fellowships by (1) educating the leaders of our denomination as to the uniqueness and needs of ministry among Middle Eastern immigrants, and (2) being a representative voice on issues of interest to the Middle Eastern Presbyterians.
The 2007-2009 Executive Committee: left to right: Nermine Hanna, Salam Lebbos, Fahed Abu-Akel, Aida Faris, Kamal Abdul-Karim; back row: Raafat Zaki, Fuad Khouri. The 2007-2009 Executive Committee
In July 2007, the Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus gathered for its biennial meeting in Los Angeles, Calif. The following individuals were elected to the 2007-2009 executive committee: Elder Aida Faris (moderator), the Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel (vice moderator), the Rev. Raafat Zaki (secretary), Elder Salam Lebbos (treasurer), Elder Kamal Abdul-Karim, the Rev. Fuad Khouri, Mrs. Nermine Hanna, the Rev. Samuel Akhtar, and Mr. David Azizian. View the list of subcommittees.
Recent Statements by the NMEPC:
In response to the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizbullah The NMEPC issued a statement calling for "all illegal and terroristic activities on all sides come to an abrupt and final end, .... an end to Israel's occupation as the first real step toward a genuine peace in the region, .... [and] to base U.S. foreign policy on the legal and moral values that our nation and constitution are founded on.”
The NMEPC issues a statement Concerning Actions of the 216th General Assembly to promote peace and justice in Israel and Palestine. “…We commend the actions taken by the 216th General Assembly, which were clearly intended to address the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as the core cause (though not the only cause) of violence and continued hostility between the state of Israel and many Middle Eastern countries. … Both investment and divestment are needed strategies to bring about justice and peace in this conflict. … We, therefore, encourage the 217th General Assembly (2006) to reaffirm the 216th General Assembly’s decision to initiate a process of phased selective divestment from companies that profit from the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories…."
2007-2009 Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus Committees
Executive Committee
Moderator
Aida Faris
Austin Texas
email
Vice Moderator
The Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel
Atlanta, Georgia
email
Secretary
Raafat Zaki
Atlanta, Georgia
email
Treasurer
Salam Lebbos
Arlington, Massachusetts
email
Chair, Peacemaking
Kamal Abdul-Karim
Prescott, Arizona
email
Chair, Women’s
Nermine Hanna
Temple City, California
email
Chair, Youth and Young Adults
Mansour Khajehpour
Princeton, N.J.
email
Fuad Khouri
Silver Spring, Maryland
Member at large
email
The Rev. Samuel Akhtar
Glenview, Illinois
Member at large
email
Finance Committee
Treasurer
Salam Lebbos
(Chair of Finance Committee)
Arlington, Massachusetts
Afaf Girgis
Arcadia, California
Leila Abdul-Karim
Prescott, Arizona
Zohny Hanna
Arcadia, California
Said Jalleo
Tarzana, California
Peacemaking Committee
Kamal Abdul-Karim (chair)
Prescott, Arizona
Safwat Hunein
Princeton, New Jersey
Roula Al-Khouri
Bend, Oregon
Ruth Azar
Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan
Women’s Committee
Nermine Hanna (Chair)
Temple City, California
Lucy Janjigian
Franklin Lake, New Jersey
Salwa Ghabour
Fanwood, New Jersey
Mary Zumot
Atlanta, Georgia
Wafaa Khoury
Whitehall, Pennsylvania
Mona Ajans
Columbia, Missouri
Wedad Jarjour
Granada Hills, California
Youth Committee
David Azizian (Chair)
North Hollywood, California
Noha Khoury
Whitehall, Pennsylvania
Tim Roufael
Boonton, New Jersey
Alfred Graise
Palmyra, New Jersey
Nancy Khella-Graise
Palmyra, New Jersey
George Khouri
Silver Spring, Maryland
Adina Yacoub
Boonton, New Jersey |
