am Muslim and I believe in One
God.' Many times it saved my life."
His family was expelled in 1952,
after all their property was confis-
cated, just part of the more than
tens of billions — in today's dol-
lars — stolen from the fleeing Jews.
Today Wahed is a man on a mis-
sion, and he realizes time is short.
"It is very difficult to keep the
message going; America is the
mother of all assimilators," he said.
"In time, the message will be dilut-
ed. Young Americans don't know our
story or our culture. The only place
it will continue is in Israel," where
millions of Jews from Arab coun-
tries live, comprising upwards of 60
percent of the Jewish population.
Through JIMENA, Wahed is
trying to get Jews from Arab and
Muslim countries to tell their sto-
ries and document both their per-
sonal and financial losses. Together
with other groups, JIMENA is
lobbying both houses of Congress
to pass resolutions (Senate Res.
85, House Res. 185) to instruct
American officials to raise the
issue of Jewish, Christian and other
refugees from the Middle East,
North Africa and the Persian Gulf
whenever the issue of Palestinian
refugees is raised. The resolutions
also will affirm U.S. support for
addressing human rights violations
and losses of all refugees in the
region as part of a comprehensive
peace agreement.
Wahed says he has nothing
against Palestinian refugees, but
just wants to ensure that the entire
story is told and the entire problem
addressed. He says the hate of Jews
that is being taught to Palestinians
and other Arabs and Muslims pre-
vents a solution.
He hopes to see peace prevail,
but he is not optimistic.
"Egypt has become one of the
most anti-Semitic countries in
the world:' Wahed said. "It is just
disgusting what they say about us.
In Saudi Arabia, 5 million children
are being taught to hate Jews every
day. In Egypt, 40 million children
are being taught to hate Jews. If
they keep going to mosque and
hearing hate speakers, they will not
change."
For more information on Jews
from Arab and Muslim countries,
and to urge support for the con-
gressional resolutions, visit: www
jimena.org and Justice for Jews
from Arab Countries (JJAC) at
www.justiceforjews.com . I I

Fifth Third Interest Checking

Tiered Interest Rates
Free Internet Banking & Bill Payment
Fifth Third Debit MasterCard® with Free Rewards

You can combine all of your balances from your Fifth Third checking and savings

accounts to avoid monthly fees, while earning interest. Our tiered rate feature provides

flexibility depending on the balances maintained. Fifth Third Bank can show you how

all your hard work today can earn more for your tomorrow.

Call 1-877-579-5353 or walk in any of our 87 Southeast Michigan Banking
Centers, including our newest location at 19111 Telegraph at 7 Mile Rd.

FIFTH THIRD BANK

www.53.com

Fifth Third reserves the right to refuse any deposit. Fifth Third and Fifth Third Bank are registered service marks of Fifth Third Bancorp. Member FDIC.

1258290

May 17 ,, 2007

17