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.
Statement from the Caucus on Gaza
January 7, 2009
Given that the United States, the only super power, continues to arm, finance, protect and unconditionally support the aggression of the State of Israel against the State of Palestine, and given that the world community continues to be intimidated and unable to act on its moral support of the Palestinian nation, we therefore urge the United States government to begin immediately and sincerely to live up to its moral and historic obligations and repent of implicit and explicit support of the mass destruction and terrorism against Palestinians, as well as reform its biased, unjust and unconditional support of Israel and to support instead a comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East.
We also urge the United Nations and the rest of world community to break down the siege of Gaza and lift the embargo unjustly imposed against the Palestinians in order that they would be able to live up to their inalienable right of self determination, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Given that the State of Israel is bent on the destruction and dehumanization of the Palestinian nation depriving them of their sacred aspirations of freedom and self determination affirmed by numerous United Nations resolutions and worldwide support, we implore the United Nations to fulfill its obligations towards the independent State of Palestine and afford them much needed protection and aid to ensure just peace, cessation of hostilities, preservation of human life and rights, safe guarding the environment and providing necessary peacekeepers to protect and defend the sanctity of all Palestinians against systemic aggression and premeditated annihilation by the State of Israel under the protection and hypocritical shameful support of the United States.
The 2007-2009 Executive Committee
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. 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:
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] 
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
Chair, Women’s
Nermine Hanna
Temple City, California
email
Chair, Youth and Young Adults
Maged Tawadros
Fuad Khouri
Silver Spring, Maryland
Member at large
email
The Rev. Samuel Akhtar
Glenview, Illinois
Member at large
email
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 |
