July 2004 · Volume 86 · Number 6

Cave Creek Manager Thriving in New Life

Usama Abujbarah is town manager of Cave Creek, Arizona.

Cave Creek, Arizona, Town Manager Usama Abujbarah once described Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Tent City as a vacation.

He was comparing it with prison conditions in Jordan.

Abujbarah would know. As a young adult, Abujbarah was imprisoned in Jordan for his support of democracy. He was only released after intervention from Amnesty International. Fifteen years ago, Abujbarah and his wife, Juman, a physician, came to the United States and have never looked back. “Life here is very rewarding,” Abujbarah said.

Despite cultural differences, the Abujbarahs have thrived. Son Masser is a business student at Arizona State University. Daughter Kinda will be attending ASU next fall. Abujbarah received a master’s degree in building design from ASU. He already had a degree in architecture and worked as a planner in Jordan’s capital city, Amman.

At first glance, a Muslim family in Cave Creek’s Wild West town of horses and loose cannons would seem an odd fit. But Abujbarah has become a part of the community. He even looks good in a cowboy hat. “Usama is more solid than Black Mountain,” Cave Creek Mayor Vincent Francia said.

Abujbarah has brought stability to the town manager’s position. Before he took over the job in 1999, Cave Creek was averaging a town manager a year.

Abujbarah even escaped the backlash against Muslims and Arabic people after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks despite having a first name similar to that of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. “No one has treated him any differently post–9/11, and that’s a tribute to the community,” Francia said.

Abujbarah’s proudest moment took place on July 4, 2002, when he and Juman became naturalized U.S. citizens. “I really enjoy living and working for this community,” Abujbarah said. “We have become completely part of this society.”

Thomas Ropp, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona. Reprinted with permission from The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Newspapers, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona.

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