As reported by Washington Report on the Middle East. May 2003 p 83-84.

Bahrain's ambassador to the U.S., Khalifa Bin Ali Al-Khalifa, held a reception at the embassy March 25 to introduce his fellow ambassadors, diplomats and friends to Michael Kirtley's "Friendship Caravan." The Caravan plans to walk across America with more than a dozen camels and Arabian horses, accompanied by trucks filled with exhibits on the Arab world, and representatives from the Arab and Muslim lands, America, and each of the three Abrahamic religions. It is hoped that this high-profile, media-friendly crosscountry event will prompt a period of renewal and reconciliation after two years of trauma following 9/11.

The year-long cultural caravan is set to commence in the Fall of 2003 with a grand mission: To build grassroots cross-cultural friendship between Americans and the people of the Arab and Muslim world. Launching such a vision during the first week of the war in Iraq may seem odd.Ambassador Al-Khalifa told his guests, but promoting people-to-people friendship, without a political or religious agenda, is needed now more than ever.

The Friendship Caravan is the brainchild of international free-lance photojournalist Michael Kirtley, whose work has been published in National Geographic, Life, ParisMatch, Time, Newsweek and Stern. Kirtley fell in love with the Middle East during his extensive travels when he lived in Morocco. He told the audience that he wants to share his positive experiences with Americans, especially children, who have so many miscon~ ceptions and prejudices about the region.

Kirtley described the itinerary: After a Friendship Festival in a (to-be-announced) Arab nation, the caravan will start off in Los Angeles and head eastward into Heartland America, concluding with a memorial at Ground Zero.

Kirtley introduced an intriguing lineup of speakers to promote the Caravan, and encourage donations, starting with Kaiser Permanente's "typical American" Greg Pahanish, who said he'd never met an Arab and feared most Americans couldn't find Bahrain---0r even the United States---0n a map. Both sides, he said, could learn a lot from the Caravan. Vice-Admiral Charles W. Moore, Jr. said he'd be happy to ride on a camel again and tell Americans about his wonderful years living in Bahrain. Edward McAteer, president of the National Religious Roundtable, a staunch representative of the Christian Right, said the Bible Belt would welcome the Caravan with open arms.

Hollywood actor and film producer Sayed Badreya brought down the house as he described the types ofroles he has played in "Three Kings" and "Independence Day"~ although he recently played a doctor in "Shallow Hal:' Badreya, who said he is more typically "typecast" as a terrorist, told an amused audience about praying on his flight to Washington, DC that day (you never know if it's your last chance!). He said he could hear the motor running in his seatmate's worried brain. He also showed a film clip he'd produced where he turned the tables on the director /hero and forced him to become the terrorist and kill the hostages "in the name of Jesus:' The Egyptian actor took on the role of the blond hero in "Tea for Terrorists" and received the gratitude and kisses of the beautiful co-star. Badreya promised to entertain and inform Caravan visitors about hurtful anti-Arab and Muslim stereotypes.

To learn more, join, or assist this worthy 501(c)(3) non-profit organization write: The Friendship Caravan, 985 Quinnipiac Ave., New Haven, CT 06513; call or fax (203) 668 7913; e-mail <info@friendshipcaravan.org>; or visit their Web site:<www.friendshipcaravan.org>. ~Delinda C. Hanley

Last updated: August 24, 2003