December was an active month for The Friendship Caravan.

o I attended two Embassy receptions in Washington DC. The first was to celebrate the National Day of the United Arab Emirates on December 2nd, at the invitation of Ambassador Alasri Saeed Al Dhahri. There I met with Advisory Board member Farah Atassi, Dr. John Duke Anthony of the National Council on US-Arab Relations, and several ambassadors from other Arab nations. The following day I was also able to meet with Jean AbiNader, Managing Director of the Arab-American Institute, who confirmed AAI's desire to work with us once we get into the planning phase for activities along the Caravan trail.

o The second reception was on December 17th, for the Bahrain National Day, at the invitation of Ambassador Khalifa Ali Al-Khalifa. Both receptions attracted the crème de la crème of the DC US-Arab network, from Arab League Ambassador Hussein Hassouna to General Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States military.

o Graciously accompanying me to the UAE reception was Wendy Oxenhorn, executive director of the Jazz Foundation of America and a well-known blues harmonica player. Wendy has offered to help us target musicians and singers for special events during the Caravan.

o On December 24th, Ambassador Al-Khalifa informed me of his desire to host a major reception in early February on our behalf inside the Bahrain Embassy. [That was postponed to March 25.] The purposes of this reception will be to inform more than 100 businessmen, journalists, dignitaries, government officials and others about the Friendship Caravan, with a special emphasis on soliciting funds for what Khalifa calls the "virtual Caravan". That is, we need organizational funding right now to build towards the actual Caravan itself. This is a wonderful gesture, Khalifa, and we thank you for showing us such solidarity!

And now, I would like to close out this update with two personal stories:

1) On New Year's Day I had a phone conversation with my good friend Zaki Benkiran, an artist who lives in Casablanca, Morocco. Zaki told me he is very disturbed about the polarization he sees developing in Moroccan society - traditionally one of the most moderate and pro-American in the Arab world. According to Zaki, many people there increasingly see America as turning its back on friendship with Moroccans, and they in turn wonder why. Whereas in the past they would differentiate between American policies and its people, today they don't understand why Americans seem so hateful towards Arabs and Muslims. This feeling is contributing to a rise in anti-American sentiment which deeply troubles Zaki. He thinks it will get worse and could eventually destabilize his country.

Zaki wanted me to tell you how much he appreciates our efforts to build bridges. He sees the Friendship Caravan as "the most hopeful effort" he has heard about to rekindle the goodwill that has traditionally existed between Moroccans and Americans.

I found my conversation with Zaki to be both saddening and uplifting. As well as anyone, he understands just how important friendship is. At my request, he will be sending us periodic messages to speak to us about the feelings of an Arab on the other side of the Atlantic who bitterly resents the rise of hatred in the world, and sees in our efforts a positive step towards creating good will.

2) Earlier this year I had an amazing experience that shows the power of our favorite animal, the camel. I had accepted the gracious invitation to spend a couple of days with Advisory Board member Becky Izen and her husband Alex. Becky is one of the most beloved figures in the American camel-loving community, and is owner of the successful web site, allcamels.com.

Beck and Alex had just driven from Los Angeles to Washington State to buy Altara, an expectant dromedary camel. It was the couple's first camel, which they were transporting in a horse trailer down Interstate 5 from San Francisco. It was amazing to watch at every rest stop where Becky would open up the side panel of the trailer, crowds would gather. Despite its towering size, everyone wanted to see and pet the camel!

Later that day Becky and Alex's truck stalled while climbing the steep hill leading to their mountaintop ranch outside of L.A. Worried about Altara, Becky asked if I would walk the camel the rest of the way-around two miles-while she and her husband dealt with the vehicle. That walk at sunset was magical! I felt as if the population of those hills had been forewarned as children and adults alike merrily ran to edge of the road and watched. They laughed and asked a barrage of questions. Even after we arrived at the top, neighbors came and inquired about the new arrival, and I was proud to gain this preview of how the Caravan could draw attention to its cause.

Thank you, Becky and Alex, for giving me this experience of the first steps on our long and noble trail. Altara is truly an ambassador of fellowship and good will. She paved the way and more camels will follow her!