The Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) is a non-profit organization that is committed to promoting British Middle East policy based on international law, human rights, and civil society.
Caabu has been active since its foundation in 1967, serving as an advocate, media and educational platform to shape UK foreign policy and public opinion.
The organization was founded by a group of academics, journalists, and politicians with the aim of filling the void in British politics and promoting friendly relations with the Arab world.
Caabu sought to combat anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia by actively engaging with the media to encourage balanced coverage and greater understanding of the region.
Members at Caabu pay an annual fee of £50, granting them voting rights, access to a range of events and publications, and a daily new digest on the region.
In 2003 he observed the elections to the Kuwait National Assembly and in January 2013, he appeared as an expert witness in front of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in Parliament discussing UK relations with Arab states in the Persian Gulf region.
Caabu works to improve Arab-British relations in Parliament with ministers, senior civil servants, MPs and Lords from across the political spectrum.
[6] It raises key issues with leading politicians and civil servants, including democratic reform in the Middle East and North Africa, the arms trade, Universal Jurisdiction, the siege of Gaza and settlements.
[7] Between 1997 and 2017 Caabu has taken over 60 delegations to a variety of Arab countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt and Libya, involving over 200 MPs and Lords.
Trading Away Peace: How Europe helps sustain illegal Israeli settlements (Autumn 2012) The report was produced by 22 non-governmental organisations including Caabu, Christian Aid UK and Ireland, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Diakonia revealed today.
[15] In 2010 Caabu won the Takreem Award for 'Exceptional International Contribution to Arab Society' which was received in Beirut, in recognition of the organization's efforts and success over the previous four decades.