Tawwakol Karman's Speech at CAIR-LA's 18th Annual Banquet
(Anaheim, Calif. – 11/14/14) – On Saturday Nov. 8th, the Greater LA area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) was honored to host Nobel Laureate Tawwakol Karman at its 18th annual banquet. A revolutionary figure leading advocacy for human rights, freedom of the press, and women's empowerment, Karman delivered an earnest keynote address in which she underscored the value of CAIR's work in empowering the American Muslim community to actively contribute to positive social change for America and for all people.
"In making America better, all of you have to rise, because everyone around the world needs America to be better. We need an America that is based on principles and value — based on freedom, on human rights, on acceptance, co-existence, love for each other, and peace. We need this America, because when America is away from its principles, all the world is away from its principles. And now we sacrifice because American politics are far away from its principles and values. Now I'm speaking to all Americans, you should make America to practice its values and principles. We need you to regain America!"
She encouraged the audience to be civically engaged and contribute to accurate representation of Islam and Muslims, stating: "It is up to you to choose whether you are a key to the solution or the problem. So please, please, choose wisely."
Karman’s speech received a standing ovation from the audience.
A human rights activist, politician, and journalist of Yemeni decent, Karman was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. She is a senior member of the of Al-Islah political party-the Yemeni Congregation for Reform. She co-founded "Women Journalists Without Chains." Dubbed the "Mother of the Revolution", Karman became the international public face of the 2011 Yemeni Uprisisng that is part of the Arab Spring uprisings. She is a co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the first Yemeni, the first Arab woman, and the second Muslim woman to win a Nobel Prize and the second youngest Nobel Peace Laureate to date.