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Office of Community Partnerships
Offices of the County Executive • Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett
Middle Eastern American Community
Background
- Middle Eastern
American refers to Americans of Middle Eastern
origins from countries
including regions of: Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bahrain, Cyprus, Dhekelia, Gaza Strip, Georgia,
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab
Emirates, and Yemen. Some of these countries are
also geographically considered Asian or European
countries. (www.cia.gov)
-
The term Middle Eastern American often includes the
broad definition of permanent residents of United
States who are not American citizens and those of
Arab American heritage.
- In U.S., about 0.7% Middle Eastern Americans and approximately
2%
of Montgomery County residents are from Middle
Eastern origins.
Leading
states with significant populations are California, New York, Florida, and
the national capital region.
-
Middle
Eastern Americans are highly diverse in
cultures, languages, religions, and ethnicities.
Major
religions practiced by the Middle Eastern Americans include
Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Bahá'Ã, Yazdanism, and
Zoroastrianism. Muslim Americans in Montgomery
County are highly active and make up about 6% of the
total County population.
- Middle
Eastern Americans often
speak another languages beyond English:
Arabic (Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab
Emirates, West Bank/Gaza, Yemen), Armenian
(Armenia), Azeri (Azerbaijan), Georgian (Georgia),
Farsi (Iran), Hebrew (Israel), and Turkish (Turkey).
Sources:
- U.S. Census Bureau:www.census.gov
- Central Intelligence Agency:www.cia.gov
- Middle Eastern country specific maps
- Middle Eastern American Professional Association
- PBS Middle Eastern religions
Community Organizations
Lily Qi
Community LiaisonOffice: 240-777-2524
Cell: 240-888-1523
lily.qi@montgomerycountymd.gov
- Asian Community
- Middle Eastern Community
- Limited English Proficiency
Lily Qi (pronounced "Chee") is Montgomery County's Asian and Middle Eastern American Liaison and Coordinator of Montgomery County's Language Access work for people with limited English proficiency. A professional in public affairs and communication, Lily held executive and managerial positions in several industries including financial regulation, economic development, and higher education prior to joining Montgomery County government. Her broad-based professional credentials, knowledge on multicultural issues, and experience working with diverse communities both in professional and community capacities have prepared her for her current job.
Growing up in Shanghai, China, Lily came to the United States in 1989 to pursue higher education. Her experience and early struggles as an adult immigrant compels her to be a cultural broker and connector with the growing global community in Montgomery County and to speak on policies, issues and experiences related to immigration, Asian Americans, women, and cultural competency.
Lily currently serves on the board of Leadership Montgomery, and was appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley as Vice Chair of the Governors Commission for Asian Pacific American Affairs. She served on the Montgomery County Commission for Women and as president of the Greater DC Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans.
Lily has an MBA in Marketing from American University and a MA in Organizational Communication from Ohio University. She lives in North Potomac, Maryland with her husband and son.
For additional background, please click here.
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