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Ms. Samina Faheem Sundas, AMV Executive Director, says that we have not learned from the Japanese internment during the Second World War and in spite of these historic lessons, today we witness members of my Arab/Muslim American community experiencing similar civil and human rights violations: exclusion, detention, incarceration and extradition in the post 9/11 and Iraq War era. 
She was speaking at the 28th Annual San Jose Day of Remembrance 2008 held at San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin on February 17, 2008. The event was attended among others by Imam Tahir Anwar. San Jose Taiko gave a thrilling musical performance.
Samina pointed out that 9/11 was one of the worst tragedies of our country and the loss of innocent lives was a great loss for all of us. “Our administration took advantage of that tragedy by creating a culture of fear, hate, anger and division. Nobody was more familiar with that kind of hysteria than all of you. I remember when the first ray of hope came along for Muslims in the form of support from all of you.” (Picture shows Samina with Congressman Mike Honda.)
Today Muslims enjoy the support of Japanese Americans throughout the United States, she added. 
The AMV Executive Director was of the view that for decades our government has kept us divided with special wars "War on drugs" "War on poverty" and now "War on terror" and locked us in different boxes. “If you are Native Americans then you must be alcoholics, if you are African American then you must be drug dealers and hookers, if you are Chinese American then you must be a spy, if you are Japanese American then you are not loyal, if you are Latino Americans then you must be all illegal and nannies and gardeners and now the flavor of the decade if you are American Muslim/Arabs you must be terrorists.” She said it is time we all stepped out of our boxes and break all barriers that are causing us to remain strangers.
(Imam Tahir Anwar speaks at the Remembrance Day)
Samina emphasized that to become one nation and live according to our constitution, we must adopt our moral values and ethics from all American citizens. “We could simply "choose the best and leave the rest." It would be great to live in a nation that truly values all of its residents. It is our responsibility to create that community. Let us build "a beloved community" where all of us feel accepted, cherished, respected and at home.”
Here is text of Samina’s speech
AMV Executive Director invited to speak at the Day of Remembrance
(Harth Mountian where many San Jose residents were interned.)
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