Ferris WehbeI wish to offer my strong endorsement of Levantine Cultural Center.

As an American of Lebanese heritage and a businessman with a strong interest in community and family, I have been extremely active on numerous fronts, including the Hollywood Rotary Club, Los Angeles-Beirut Sister Cities organization and the Hollywood Neighborhood Charities.

It should be clear to all of us—particularly after the events of 9/11—that we need to increase the level of our civic engagement and cross-cultural awareness. The world has become a more complicated place, and it seems there is less and less tolerance for people who seem different from us.
In fact, Arabs and Muslims in America are a growing and significant minority which is sadly under-represented in the media and the arts. Yet, present where it counts: doctors, lawyers, social entrepreneurs, filmmakers, writers, artists, scientists, engineers—you name it, you’ll find contributions by Arab/Muslim Americans across the spectrum.

One of the strongest advocacy organizations for Arab/Muslim and other Middle Eastern cultures in Southern California has been Levantine Cultural Center, which since 2001 has brought together many thousands of people to experience arts programs that actively promote coexistence and understanding.

Levantine Center has served as a resource for the media, guiding journalists to more reliable and diverse sources of information; it has actively promoted majority and minority cultures of the Middle East, regardless of religion. It consistently emphasizes the need for tolerance and diversity.

As a world capital with much to offer, Los Angeles deserves its own cultural arts center representing/serving the Arab/Muslim minority.

I strongly endorse Levantine Cultural Center's appeal for broad community support, as they seek to identify a permanent home to include a performance space, offices, art gallery and garden cafe. This new home will become a focal point for both adult and youth programs. The center will be able to focus its good work on the programs and services that benefit each of us. Please support Levantine Cultural Center with your tax-deductible contributions, volunteerism and endorsement.

Sincerely,
Ferris Wehbe