دعوة للمحاضرة في مبنى الكونجرس

The MidAmr Group

Changing Focus

Changing Opinion

Changing Policy

May 1, 2004

Dr. Mazin S. Motabbagani

Assistant Professor

Islamic Studies, Department of Orientalism

Muhammad Ben Saud Islamic University

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Dear Dr. Motabbagani,

On behalf of the MidAmr Group, I would like to extend an invitation to you to visit Washington, DC during the week of May 17, 2004.  The MidAmr Group would like for you to participate in a panel discussions during your stay.

With a combined experience of more than two decades of political work, Maya M. Berry and I established the MidAmr Group in 2003 to improve U.S. bilateral relations with the Arab world on the economic, political and cultural fronts.  In addition to its two principals, the MidAmr Group has a pool of diverse, bipartisan professionals with years of experience on Capitol Hill, in federal government, private sector and among the leading non-governmental organizations in Washington DC.  A central mission of our organization is to educate opinion makers in the United States about developments in the Middle East.  We strongly believe that your observations and opinions would be of great benefit to the American public and those who work on their behalf.

We would arrange for you to serve as a panelist at a topical luncheon discussion during your visit.  This event, entitled “Clash of Civilizations?  Cultural Understanding and US-Arab Relations,” would be held on Capitol Hill.  Your audience would include congressional staff, members of the media, and other interested and invited guests.   Pending the congressional legislative schedule, this event will be held over lunch on May 18. 

The American people are hungry for information on the Middle East, particularly over the past two to three years.   Our organization works with a variety of NGO’s and academics to arrange objective discussions, events, and activities aiming to foster understanding rather than focus exclusively on divisive political issues.  By improving awareness or, at minimum, highlighting different perspectives with congressional staff, the media, academics, and representatives of relevant interest groups and entities, MidAmr hopes to better shape debate.  At minimum, visiting experts such as yourself provide a unique perspective. 

We hope to see you in Washington the week of May 17.  To confirm, please contact me via e-mail at dtdumke@aol.com, or by phone at (202) 255-2882.  Upon confirmation, we will provide you with additional information pertaining to your visit and speaking engagement.  I thank you in advance for your consideration and look forward to seeing you in Washington.

Sincerely,

David Dumke

Principal

The midAmr Group