The Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization (CAMEO) has been in existence for over 50 years. C.A.M.E.O. is designed to articulate the political interest of more than 275,000 Northeastern Ohio residents of Middle Eastern Heritage, Arab Americans.
At their annual picnic on Sunday July 14, 2024 CAMEO welcomed friends and dozens of politicians running for office and/or there to show support for the Arab American community.
One new addition at the CAMEO picnic was the ClevelandPeople.com map of the Middle East where people showed where their heritage began.
The City of Cleveland, under the leadership of Asian Community Liaison Chia-Min Chen, hosted the first Asian Heritage Day in the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall on May 30, 2025. About 15 Asian heritages were represented with tables showcasing the flags, clothing and other items of their heritage.
Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization 55th Anniversary
The Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization (CAMEO) has been in existence for 55 years. C.A.M.E.O. is designed to articulate the political interest of more than 275,000 Northeastern Ohio residents of Middle Eastern Heritage, Arab Americans.
CAMEO celebrated their 55th anniversary as well as Arab American Heritage Month at a gala event on April 5, 2025.
CAMEO Board members with proclamations from Dale Miller, Patrick Kelly and Chris Ronayne
While the Iraqi community does not (yet) have a Cleveland Cultural Garden many members of the community attended the annual One World Day on August 27, 2023.
Posing with Mother Teresa statue in the Albanian Garden
One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 50,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2023.
The Parade of Flags had 1500 people from over 53 countries. Watch the video of the Parade of Flags.
Middle Eastern Heritage - World on Stage in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation presented a World on Stage event to showcase Middle Eastern Heritage on July 22, 2023 at the Centennial Peace Plaza in the Cultural Gardens. The plaza was full and the crowd enjoyed musical performances from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Lebanon and Syria.
Dancing in the Plaza at the Middle East Heritage event
Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization Annual Picnic
The Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization (CAMEO) has been in existence for 53 years. C.A.M.E.O. is designed to articulate the political interest of more than 275,000 Northeastern Ohio residents of Middle Eastern Heritage, Arab Americans.
At their annual picnic on Sunday July 16, 2023 CAMEO welcomed friends and dozens of politicians running for office and/or there to show support for the Arab American community.
During the month of April, Arab America formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and Arab Americans will engage in special events that celebrate the community's rich heritage and numerous contributions to society.
Arab Americans have roots in 22 countries located in the Middle East and North African regions: Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. And within all those countries, there are various languages, religions, traditions that are now part of our American story. There are nearly 3.5 million Arab Americans in the United States, according to the Arab American Institute. Establishing Arab American Heritage Month was critical in combatting post-9/11 anti-Arab sentiments, and while Arab Americans still face prejudice regularly, acknowledging their fight for recognition and equality - and becoming better allies - is something we can all contribute toward.
CAMEO president Pierre Bejjani receiving Arab American Heritage Month Proclamation
Cleveland American Middle East Organization 49th anniversary
The Cleveland American Middle East Organization (CAMEO) is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian political action organization established in 1970. They celebrated their 49th anniversary at a dinner event at St. Elias Cultural Center.
CAMEO honored Dr. Nizar Zein, Mr. Husein Rabah and Mediterranean Market at the event.
Cleveland American Middle East Organization 48th anniversary
The Cleveland American Middle East Organization (CAMEO) is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian political action organization established in 1970. They celebrated their 48th anniversary at a dinner event at St. Elias Cultural Center.
CAMO honored Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, Mr. Ali Faraj and Kan Zaman Middle Eastern Restaurant at the event.
Cleveland American Middle East Organization (CAMEO)
board members Faris Alameh, Pierre Bejjani, Sam Tanious, Tony Abdulkarim and Abby Mina with honorees Dr. Mansoor Ahmed and Mr. Ali Faraj
Sam Tanious is an active member of the Cleveland international community. He is proud of his Middle Eastern heritage and volunteers as the Treasurer of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation and Cleveland American Middle Eastern Organization (CAMEO).
Sam Tanious is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Former Internal Revenue Service IRS Auditor/Officer and much more. Sam has been preparing accurate tax returns for over 20 years, legally reducing tax liability and helping clients build and protect wealth through wealth management strategies.
He has helped thousands of individuals and small business owners navigate the maze of tax, regulatory to greater success and wealth. Visit samtaxservice.com or email samytaxservices@gmail.com.
Call Sam Tanious today for a no obligation appointment. (440) 991-6864
News and Upcoming Events for Middle Easterners in Cleveland
2017
Cleveland American Middle East Organization 47th anniversary
The Cleveland American Middle East Organization (CAMEO) is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian political action organization established in 1970. They celebrated their 47th anniversary and induction of new officers at a dinner event at St. Elias Cultural Center.
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and CAMEO Board
Iraqi American Dr. Ali Alhaddad recites Qabbani poems
Iraqi American Dr. Ali Alhaddad was featured at the dedication of a statue of the Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani in the Syrian Cultural Garden in Cleveland on September 12, 2015.
Dr. Alhaddad recited several poems in both Arabic and English and explained them - all from memory!
Dr. Ali Alhaddad
For those who could not attend the dedication ceremony for the bust of Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani in the Syrian Cultural Garden last Saturday we have posted 4 pages of text, photos and videos.
Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932.
A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was Saddam Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88).
In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the Saddam Husayn regime.
US forces remained in Iraq under a UNSC mandate through 2009 and under a bilateral security agreement thereafter, helping to provide security and to train and mentor Iraqi security forces. In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR) in December 2005. The COR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century.
In January 2009 and April 2013, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all governorates except for the three governorates comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government and Kirkuk Governorate. Iraq held a national legislative election in March 2010 - choosing 325 legislators in an expanded COR - and, after nine months of deadlock the COR approved the new government in December 2010. Nearly nine years after the start of the Second Gulf War in Iraq, US military operations there ended in mid-December 2011.
