On November 23rd, Debbie Almontaser, the founding principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy in New York, will offer a keynote address at CAIR's 14th Annual Banquet, "American Muslims: Defining Ourselves," in Arlington, Virginia.   Ms. Almontaser, a 17-year veteran of the New York City public school system, is currently Senior Program Manager of the 21st Century After School Programs at the Department of Education.   She lectures frequently on Arab culture, Islam, conflict resolution, and cultural diversity at local, national and international conferences. Almontaser co-designed a curriculum for the Muslim Communities Project at Columbia University and for Educators for Social Responsibility/Metro. In addition, she has contributed a chapter in “The Day Our World Changed: Children's Art of 9/11” for New York University's Child Study Center and the Museum of the City of New York and in “Forever After: New York City Teachers on 9/11” for Teachers College Press.   Ms. Almontaser sits on the boards of Brooklyn Borough President's New Diversity Task Force, Muslim Consultative Network, Women In Islam Inc., We Are All Brooklyn Coalition, and Youth Bridge NY. She is also a cofounder of Brooklyn Bridges, the September 11th Curriculum Project, and We Are All Brooklyn. She was born in Yemen and raised in the United States.   To learn more about the dinner, or to register, click here.  Help spread the word about the banquet. Please forward this email to your friends and family. CAIR 14TH ANNUAL BANQUET “American Muslims: Defining Ourselves”   WHEN: Sunday, November 23, 2008 Registration begins at 5 p.m., Program begins at 6:30 p.m. WHERE: Marriott Crystal Gateway, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA TICKETS: $70/person; $15/child babysitting (ages 6 months-12 years.) SPEAKERS: Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) Ambassador Edward L. Peck Ms. Debbie Almontaser Imam Siraj Wahhaj   Program will also feature the 2008 Rosa Parks Civil Liberties Scholarship and the 2008 Muslim Community Service Awards To learn more, to purchase tickets or to sponsor a table: Call 202-742-6447 or go to www.cair.com/banquet Registration deadline is Friday, November 14.     Take two minutes and register TODAY for CAIR’s annual fundraising banquet on November 23rd.     - PLEASE ANNOUNCE, POST AND DISTRIBUTE -   Council on American-Islamic Relations 453 New Jersey Ave, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003 Council on American-Islamic Relations Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved