Cleveland American Middle East Organization
46th Anniversary May 20,2016
Cleveland American Middle East Organization (CAMEO) is a Bi-partisan Political Action Organization that was established in 1970. It is designed to articulate the political interest of more than 100,000 Northeastern Ohio residents of Middle Eastern heritage, Arab Americans.
The 46th anniversary of the group was celebrated at a dinner event at St. Elias Cultural Center on May 20, 2016.
Tony Abdulkarim, Event Co-Chairman and 1st Vice-president of Cleveland American Middle East Organization, CAMEO, welcomed the crowd to the 46th anniversary celebration.
Tony Abdulkarim
Tony introduced CAMEO Past-President Abdullah (Abby) Mina as MC for the 46th anniversary celebration of CAMEO. Abby called up Father Andrew Harmon of St Matthew Evangelist Antiochian Orthodox Church for an invocation.
Father Andrew Harmon
A second invocation was given by Imam Ramez Islambouli.
Imam Ramez Islambouli
Next, Ken Kovach sang and led the National Anthem.
Ken Kovach
Singing the national anthem
Next CAMEO Past-President and event MC Abdullah (Abby) Mina spoke about CAMEO and introduced President Pierre Bejjani.
Abby Mina and Pierre Bejjani
CAMEO President Pierre Bejjani welcomed the dignitaries and special guests in attendance. He then called up a special guest who is a talk show host from Kuwait.
Abby Mina and Pierre Bejjani with talk show host from Kuwait
The first award of the evening went to Fred Bourjaily. Very Rev. Father Andrew Harmon introduced the 2nd Vice-President of CAMEO as recipient of the 2016 CAMEO Community Award. Seven Hills Mayor Rick Dell'Aquilla also presented Fred with an award.
Fred Bourjaily and Rev Andrew Harmon
Fred Bourjaily and Pierre Bejjani
Abby Mina, Fred Bourjaily and Pierre Bejjani
Mayor Rick Dell'Aquilla and Fred Bourjaily
Fred Bourjaily
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Next, Abby Mina introduced Dr. James Zogby to receive a CAMEO community award. Dr. Zogby is founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a Washington, D.C.–based organization which serves as a political and policy research arm of the Arab-American community.
James Zogby receives award from Pierre Bejjani
Abby Mina, Dr. James Zogby,
Pierre Bejjani and Tony Abdulkarim
In his closing remarks, CAMEO President Pierre Bejjani told of the mission of CAMEO and how Middle Easterners are the 2nd largest ethnic group in this community.
Pierre Bejjani
Very Rev. Father John Ojaimi gave the closing benediction.
Stay informed about the local Middle East community by signing up for the free Middle East eNews mailings. You can select other specific (Lebanese, Syrian, etc.) groups as well. It's easy and free.
