Ahlan wa Sahlan!
As we approach the end of the year, it is time to reflect on our shared achievements and the vibrant community we continue to build together. 2024 was a year of impactful events, passionate advocacy, and cultural celebration for the Dayton Arab American Forum (DAAF). We are proud to share the highlights of this remarkable year:
Cultural and Educational Events
Open Mic Night for Palestine – February 4th
We gathered at Yellow Cab in Dayton for an emotionally moving Open Mic Night to share poetry and prose about Palestine and the oppressed worldwide. Proceeds went to the Palestinian American Medical Association, raising awareness and critical funds for humanitarian aid.
Event details and video can be found here.
April Arab Heritage Month Celebration – April 20th
We hosted a special event at the Dayton Metro Library featuring guest speakers, appetizers, and a powerful Panel Discussion: “Justice and Peace Beyond Ceasefire.”
Panelists included:
- Dr. Awad Halabi: Associate Professor of History and Religion at Wright State University and author of Palestinian Rituals of Identity.
- Dr. Elliot Ratzman: Social ethicist and Jewish Studies instructor exploring race, ethics, and social justice.
- Pastor John Wagner: Retired United Methodist Pastor and advocate for ethical divestment practices.
Moderator: Stephen Starr, an Irish journalist reporting on social justice issues.
Together, they explored justice and peace in the context of Gaza’s ongoing struggle, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of a 75-year-long occupation.
Photos and videos from the event are available here.
Annual DAAF Picnic – October 5th
Our cherished annual tradition continued with a day of food, fun, and community bonding. Thank you to everyone who attended and made it a success!
View the 2024 Picnic photos here.
Humanitarian Efforts
Fundraiser for Gaza – April 5th
In collaboration with the Whole Hunger Initiative, we held a Gaza Famine Relief Fundraiser on April 5, raising an astounding $50,000 for essential aid to those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with $35,000 coming from an anonymous donor after the event!
Learn more about this initiative here.
Scholarship Support
DAAF continues to prioritize education by awarding annual scholarships. This year, we proudly awarded $2,000 to support our next generation of leaders, marking a decade of scholarships that promote education and community engagement. Our latest recipient, Maya Hourani, exemplifies the spirit of academic excellence and cultural pride.
Upcoming Programs and Membership Opportunities
Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce a new Monthly Coffee & Tea Meet-Up series starting January 2025 at various locations, designed to foster connection among our members. Stay tuned for details!
Your support as a DAAF member ensures the continued success of our programs and events. Membership dues and contributions are tax-deductible and directly support our mission to:
❧ Promote Arab-American cultural heritage.
❧ Foster understanding and counter discrimination.
❧ Represent our community in media and public spaces.
❧ Build bridges with local and national organizations.
Join or renew your membership here or by mailing a check to the address below.
Questions? Please contact Tony Massoud, DAAF Secretary at 937-238-0595.
We are immensely grateful for your contributions and participation in DAAF’s mission. Together, we are creating a stronger, more inclusive community. Let’s continue to make 2025 a year of even greater impact!
Warm Regards,
Ramadan Alhaddad
President DAAF
1073 Decker Dr
Miamisburg, OH 45342
Join us at https://daaf.org/membership and get connected with the community in WhatsApp: https://daaf.org/whatsapp
DAAF is a registered 501c3 nonprofit; all contributions are tax deductible.
Posted: December 18, 2024 by DAAF Leave a Comment
Year-End Recap: 2024
Ahlan wa Sahlan!
As we approach the end of the year, it is time to reflect on our shared achievements and the vibrant community we continue to build together. 2024 was a year of impactful events, passionate advocacy, and cultural celebration for the Dayton Arab American Forum (DAAF). We are proud to share the highlights of this remarkable year:
Cultural and Educational Events
Open Mic Night for Palestine – February 4th
We gathered at Yellow Cab in Dayton for an emotionally moving Open Mic Night to share poetry and prose about Palestine and the oppressed worldwide. Proceeds went to the Palestinian American Medical Association, raising awareness and critical funds for humanitarian aid.
Event details and video can be found here.
April Arab Heritage Month Celebration – April 20th
We hosted a special event at the Dayton Metro Library featuring guest speakers, appetizers, and a powerful Panel Discussion: “Justice and Peace Beyond Ceasefire.”
Panelists included:
Moderator: Stephen Starr, an Irish journalist reporting on social justice issues.
Together, they explored justice and peace in the context of Gaza’s ongoing struggle, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of a 75-year-long occupation.
Photos and videos from the event are available here.
Annual DAAF Picnic – October 5th
Our cherished annual tradition continued with a day of food, fun, and community bonding. Thank you to everyone who attended and made it a success!
View the 2024 Picnic photos here.
Humanitarian Efforts
Fundraiser for Gaza – April 5th
In collaboration with the Whole Hunger Initiative, we held a Gaza Famine Relief Fundraiser on April 5, raising an astounding $50,000 for essential aid to those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with $35,000 coming from an anonymous donor after the event!
Learn more about this initiative here.
Scholarship Support
DAAF continues to prioritize education by awarding annual scholarships. This year, we proudly awarded $2,000 to support our next generation of leaders, marking a decade of scholarships that promote education and community engagement. Our latest recipient, Maya Hourani, exemplifies the spirit of academic excellence and cultural pride.
Upcoming Programs and Membership Opportunities
Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce a new Monthly Coffee & Tea Meet-Up series starting January 2025 at various locations, designed to foster connection among our members. Stay tuned for details!
Your support as a DAAF member ensures the continued success of our programs and events. Membership dues and contributions are tax-deductible and directly support our mission to:
❧ Promote Arab-American cultural heritage.
❧ Foster understanding and counter discrimination.
❧ Represent our community in media and public spaces.
❧ Build bridges with local and national organizations.
Join or renew your membership here or by mailing a check to the address below.
Questions? Please contact Tony Massoud, DAAF Secretary at 937-238-0595.
We are immensely grateful for your contributions and participation in DAAF’s mission. Together, we are creating a stronger, more inclusive community. Let’s continue to make 2025 a year of even greater impact!
Warm Regards,
Ramadan Alhaddad
President DAAF
1073 Decker Dr
Miamisburg, OH 45342
Join us at https://daaf.org/membership and get connected with the community in WhatsApp: https://daaf.org/whatsapp
DAAF is a registered 501c3 nonprofit; all contributions are tax deductible.
Posted: December 10, 2023 by DAAF
Join DAAF in Alleviating Suffering in Gaza
The Dayton Arab American Forum extends its heartfelt concern and support to all individuals affected by the recent hardships in Gaza. The profound loss of life and the impact on communities is a source of deep sadness and calls for a compassionate response.
Our organization is dedicated to the principles of education, cultural understanding, and the support of humanitarian efforts. We are moved to act by the human stories that have emerged, stories of individuals and families facing unprecedented challenges. It is our aim to bring attention to these human experiences and to encourage the provision of aid where it is most needed.
We invite all who are moved by compassion to stand with us. Contributions to our efforts enable us to continue our work and to help amplify the needs and experiences of those in crisis. For the next 6 months, 50% of any membership proceeds will be directly forwarded to the Palestinian American Medical Association (https://palestinian-ama.org/).
We are grateful for the empathy and support shown by our community. It is with a collective commitment to humanitarian values that we can contribute to the global efforts to alleviate suffering and promote peace. We also plan to continue with additional educational events, and continuing to connect our community. Join us at https://daaf.org/membership and get connected with the community in WhatsApp: https://daaf.org/whatsapp
DAAF is a registered 501c3 nonprofit; all contributions are tax deductible.
Posted: May 5, 2021 by DAAF Leave a Comment
The White House declares April as National Arab American Heritage Month
We are very proud to say that The White House has declared April as National Arab American Heritage Month, paying homage to the critical contributions that Arab Americans have had on our community.
Posted: August 18, 2019 by DAAF Leave a Comment
Dayton Proclamation declares April, 2019 as Arab American Heritage Month
We are very proud to say that the city of Dayton has declared April as Arab American Heritage Month, paying homage to the critical contributions that Arab Americans have had on our community.
Posted: March 27, 2018 by DAAF Leave a Comment
Welcome to our updated website!
We’ve just finished an update to our website. Hope you like it!