Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Podcast Info
    • Hanania Podcast intro
    • Live Arab Radio
  • Your Views
  • Submit Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel: American Arabs
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8 American Arabs
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community Activism
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host “forum” to explore Mayor Lightfoot’s racist crackdown on Arab stores Activism
  • Imam Jamal Saad leads the more than 1,000 muslim attendees in payer at SeatGeek Stadium's open grounds at the Eid al-Fitr celebration May 2, 2022 in Bridgeview
    Local Illinois officials join Chicagoland Muslims for Eid Celebration at SeatGeek stadium American Arabs
  • DCEO Panel discussion on business support opportunities for all businesses including Arab American businesses, April 26, 2022
    DCEO Access to Capital: Arab American Heritage Month business workshop American Arabs
  • DCEO Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month (AAHM) American Arabs
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez addresses the gathering at an Iftar hosted by Radi Abuhashish Thursday April 21, 2022 joined by Dr. Willie Wilson and other candidates for Chicago Mayor.
    Political candidates join local Arab leaders for Iftar Activism
  • U.S. Congressional Candidate Rob Cruz in the 6th District GOP Primary election June 28, 2022
    Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress, Rob Cruz, Opens a Dialogue with the Palestinian Community American Arabs
  • Peak Rock Capital affiliate completes acquisition of Ziyad Brothers, a leading provider of brander Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot American Arabs
  • April 24, 2022 Illinois DCEO American ArabChamber event
    American Arab Chamber and DCEO host online panel to help Arab Businesses secure funding Activism
  • Oussama Jammal presents Congresswoman Marie Newman with the Courage Award during the USCMO Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner. Photo courtesy of Marie Newman Facebook Page
    Newman endorsed by major Arab and Muslim leaders Activism
Houston Businessman Farouk Shami urges the 16th Annual Convention for the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation to invest in Palestine and help build a strong economy that will provide jobs and result in peace.

Farouk Shami urges diaspora to build industry and jobs in Palestine

Posted on October 19, 2014October 19, 2014 By rayhanania 1 Comment on Farouk Shami urges diaspora to build industry and jobs in Palestine
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Farouk Shami urges diaspora to build industry and jobs in Palestine

By Ray Hanania

Houston Businessman Farouk Shami urges the 16th Annual Convention for the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation to invest in Palestine and help build a strong economy that will provide jobs and result in peace.
Houston Businessman Farouk Shami urges the 16th Annual Convention for the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation to invest in Palestine and help build a strong economy that will provide jobs and result in peace.

Palestinian American businessman Farouk Shami, who has used his entrepreneurial success and his high public profile activism to strengthen a more positive image of Palestinians, urged the attendees at the 16th Annual Convention of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation to build a Palestinian State by directly investing in Palestine.

(Listen to the podcast of Farouk Shami’s speech below)

Shami, who was among several dozen speakers who advocated a stronger voice for Arab Christians and especially Christians from the Holy Land including Hanan Ashrawi and Jerusalem Archbishop Atallah Hanna, said that he has spent his life using his profile to educate Americans through example including when he ran for governor of Texas in 2010.

Shami said that he continues to argue with Israelis that if they do not make peace soon, they will face a perilous future with the rise of extremism both in Israel and in the Arab World. He said he supports the establishment of a Federal System in which Israel and Palestine would exist together individually, but also a Federal Government similar to the American government in “an open and free Jerusalem.”

“The land is for everybody and all the Abrahamic people. It is not for the Russians who are coming and getting passports and citizenships while we Palestinians are denied to go there. I think there is enough land there is enough room for all of us to live there in peace and harmony,” Shami said to applause.

“If we could have two states with a federal government and Jerusalem would be three capitols, Palestinian, Israelis and the Federal Government, we could have one army made of Jews and Palestinians so there would be no room for them to say security, security, security. Is Israel, with 300 nuclear weapons afraid of children with stones? This is an excuse to take our land and our property and we are really tired of that. Let’s implement the United States of America as our example. … We have a government and we are a part of that government.”

Shami has engaged in supporting and sponsoring high profile events including as the principle sponsor of the popular annual Miss USA Beauty Pageant. Although many Arabs, especially more religious conservatives, frown on beauty pageants, Shami recognized the event as being a major part of American society and participates to show Americans that “Palestinians are no different than they are.”

Houston Businessman Farouk Shami urges the 16th Annual Convention for the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation Saturday Oct. 18, 2014 at the Marriott Hotel in Washington D.C.
Houston Businessman Farouk Shami urges the 16th Annual Convention for the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation Saturday Oct. 18, 2014 at the Marriott Hotel in Washington D.C.

Shami has worked for decades in the field of hair-care product development, and attended cosmetology school in Arkansas. He invented the first ammonia- free hair color, after developing an allergy to the chemical that initially led doctors to encourage him to leave his profession. His company, the Houston-based Farouk Systems, currently employs 2,000 people, and exports its line of hair and skin care products under the BioSilk, SunGlitz and Cationic Hydration Interlink (CHI) brands to over 106 countries worldwide.

Shami told the more than 230 attendees of the HCEF convention at the Marriott Hotel in Washington D.C. Saturday October 18, 2014 that he believed that rising religious extremism jeopardizes Israelis existence and that the only way to save Israel is to make peace with the Palestinians.

“I tell the Israelis, the window of peace is closing. It is closing very soon. Either you accept peace and you give the Palestinians the rights to their lands, and everyone has a right to their land. You have the title, it is your land. Either you pay for it or you get out of it. This is the choice,” Shami said.

“ISIS is coming. Al-Qaeda is coming. And they are going to point to Israel, sooner or later. Either they have the choice to live in peace with us, or they are going to have to go back.”

Shami said that Palestinians must engage and participate in American society and culture and not simply cast judgments.

But Shami said that despite his love and devotion to his adopted homeland, America, he said that the United States could not be an effective or fair arbiter of Middle East peace.

“The United States of America cannot be the party that will bring about peace. The United States of America and Israel, I don’t see much difference in our foreign policy. Most policies are made in Tel Aviv but the institutions are in Washington DC. These are the facts of life that we live with everyday,” Shami said.

“Yes, we live in the United States of America and yes we live outside of Palestine. But our hearts and our minds are with the Palestinian people because injustice is made in Palestine for the people who have the justice and right to live in Palestine.

Shami said that peace can be built on economic prosperity for both peoples, noting that currently Israeli policies undermine the Palestinian economy and feed the conflict.

“Palestine needs to build an independent economy … we can’t keep stretching out hands to donated countries. God bless them for what they have done. But we need to help ourselves. We need to get 1,000 business people together and ask them to invest 10 percent of their business in Palestine. To hire Palestinians,” he said noting that he has been trying to launch a new business in Palestine for his successful national hair products company, Farouk Systems. Shami said that Israeli policy has stymied his efforts as they stymie the efforts of Palestinians to achieve peace.

“What they are doing is destroying anything we are trying to do. But, if we keep taking these challenges and giving up, we will not have a Palestinian state, we will not have a Palestinian economy.”

He said that despite roadblocks set up by the Israelis, he will continue.

“I have been trying to open a business in Ramallah for the last couple of years … business is what I know best. We need to industrialize Palestine,” Shami said.

“By hook or by crook, we will open a factory in Palestine and I will hire hundreds of people in Palestine. That is the duty and responsibility of each and every one of us that makes it outside of the country of Palestine. I am not opening a business there to make money although it is a virgin market. It is a great market. It can be very successful. My hope for the future for peace really depends on the economy of Palestine. If we are having a good economy and we are sending our kids to school for their education, their health and their security, that is independence. I am not into politics.”

Shami said he ran for governor in 2010 “to prove to the Americans we are hard working people. We are good Americans. We are good citizens. We are good people. It is not what the media gives us the image. … I brought thousands of jobs to the State of Texas. But now I feel it is my responsibility to bring jobs to Palestine. So now I am telling all Palestinians, please help Palestine. Please help the economy. Let’s go there. Let’s work together. Just create a few jobs.”

He concluded by saying, “I am not asking people to give money. I am asking people to invest in Palestine. If you want to create a Palestinian state you need to invest in Palestine.”

HCEF is headed by Palestinian Christian Sir Rateb Rabie and the group defines its mission as being “committed to the continued presence, empowerment, and well-being of Arab Christians in the Holy Land and to developing the bonds of solidarity between them and Christians elsewhere.”

The HCEF website is www.HCEF.org. The entire program is available online by clicking here.

Speakers at the conference also included PLO spokesperson Hanan Ashrawi, the Archbishop of Jerusalem Theodosios Atallah Hanna, One Voice director Samer Makhlouf, Coptic Christian activist Mark Wasef, History professor Yvonne Haddad, Jewish Voice for Peace activist Seth Morrison, IT entrepreneur Rafiq Masri, Center for Middle East Policy Fellow Khaled Elgindy, former President of the Palestinian American Congress Dr. Najat Arafat Khalil, representatives of the Bank of Palestine, Fr. Michael McDonagh of the Jerusalem Latin Patriarch, Franciscan Friar of the Holy Name Province Jacek Orzechowski, NAAP funder Dr. Hanna Hanania, Human Rights Attorney Noura Erakat, Rev. Richard Graham of the Washington D.C. Synod of ELCA,

HCEF board members and activists included Claudette Habesch, Christine Hill, Father Drew Christiansen, Dr. Saliba Sarsar, Frank Carroll, Bethany Saad, and Anthony Habash.

Look for more stories, articles and podcasts on the conference at The Arab Daily News online website at www.TheArabDailyNews.com.

(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and political columnist. A Christian Palestinian activist, Hanania is President/CEO of Urban Strategies Group media consulting and is the managing editor of the Arab Daily News. He was also a presenter and moderator at the conference on a panel addressing the future of Palestinian-Israeli peace.)

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday - May 15, 2022
  • Arabs and Muslim blast Mayor lightfoot for racist store closings - May 7, 2022
  • Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential - May 7, 2022

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Business, Features, Israel, News, Palestine & Jordan, Podcast, Ray Hanania, Spotlight Tags:Christian Arab, Farouk Shami, Holy Land, Israel, Palestine, Shami, Tel Aviv, United States

Post navigation

Previous Post: Thesis1 by y o u s e f
Next Post: Israel/Palestine Conflict: Time now to change to a human rights approach

Related Posts

  • Abdul El-Sayed with members of the Michigan Women's March in 2017. Photo courtesy of El-Sayed's Facebook Page.
    Abdul for Michigan airs first TV Campaign Ad “The People’s Summer” American Arabs
  • Arab and Muslim protests, photo courtesy Abdennour Toumi
    Arabs and Muslims would never be whipped again Abdennour Toumi
  • DCEO Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month (AAHM) American Arabs
  • Ahed Tamimi is HOPE in Action in Palestine #FreeAhedTamimi #FreePalestinianKids Arab World
  • What does it cost to buy a U.S. Senator? Not much! Bloggers
  • J.B. Pritzker from his election campaign Facebook Page at UFCW union endorsement.
    Pritzker falls short on promises to Arab, Muslim Americans Activism

More Related Articles

Trump’s Jerusalem proclamation backfires. Arab World
American Politicians, Bought and Sold American Arabs
Radio podcast: Obama, Nikki Haley and Donald Trump American Arabs
Photo Essay: Gaza children begin school amid devastation caused by Israeli violence Arab World
President Clinton presides over White House ceremonies marking the signing of the peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians, with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, left, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, right, in Washington Sept. 13, 1993. (Courtesy Wikipedia) Zogby ensures Palestine-Israel will be on DNC agenda American Arabs
Banksy British artist spotlights devastation in Gaza Arab World

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Palestinian refugees forced to flee their homes at gunpoint by Jewish terrorist groups operating in Palestine in the 1930s, 1940s and after Israel was created on May 14, 1948. Photo courtesy of the United Nations
    Unresolved status of Palestinian rights makes UNRWA essential
    May 7, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • Chicago's racist Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered more than 150 Arab owned stores closed in 2021 in a racist effort o fight street gang crimes
    Arab Daily News launches Arab American Network to fight racism
    March 12, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel:
    May 24, 2022
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8
    May 23, 2022
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Former City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Nearly 100 candidates, officials address Arab Democratic Club forum Sunday
    May 15, 2022
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Calls for Moral Consistency on Human Rights, Urges President Biden to Pause His Trip to Israel:
    May 24, 2022
  • The U.S.S. Liberty photo courtesy of the USS Liberty Veterans.
    Survivors of Israel’s strike on USS Liberty commemorate 55th year June 6 – 8
    May 23, 2022
  • AHRC Logo new Feb 2021
    AHRC hosts an open meeting with TSA & community
    May 19, 2022
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Chicago aldermen to host forum on Arab businesses closed by Mayor Lightfoot
    April 15, 2022

The Tabboun Column

The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
  • Tabboun
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Political Grapevine/The Tabboun, Friday Dec. 16, 2021
    December 16, 2021
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Chicago remains strongest Palestine voice
    September 7, 2016
  • The Tabboun: Israeli human rights violations hit
    June 30, 2016
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    Tabboun: Himes questions troop deployment to Syria
    November 3, 2015
  • The Political Grapevine Political Tabboun. Original photo by tim-mossholder-KX1BBNY69Ao-unsplash
    The Tabboun: Dearborn removes statue of racist former mayor
    September 29, 2015

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • HANANIA Arab News Op-Eds
  • Ukraine conflict gives Palestinians chance to redefine their conflict
    March 9, 2022
  • Mishmeshan PHC medical center destroyed in Syrian Government assaults. Photo courtesy of UOSSM Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations
    President Biden’s dyslexic policy in Syria is a mess
    October 20, 2021
  • Annissa Essaibi George and family
    Annissa Essaibi George faces “race hypocrisy” in campaign to be Boston Mayor
    October 20, 2021
  • Jerusalem image of Jews and Arabs walking together. Shutterstock. Courtesy of Arab News Newspaper
    Jewish Michigan lawmaker leads push for Two State Solution
    October 7, 2021
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib, book cover. Photo courtesy of Cune Press
    Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib
    November 1, 2021
  • Girl Fighters, new book on Yemen Book Cune Press
    New Book: Girl Fighters: Break Tradition in Yemen 
    October 25, 2021
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • Hollywood Sign
    Will Smith violence takes Oscar protests to dangerous level
    March 31, 2022
  • 03-30-22 Arab Chamber Heritage Month Flyer
    Arab Chamber to host Arab Heritage Month dinner March 30
    March 14, 2022
  • “Rupture”, the psychological thriller produced by MBC STUDIOS, has won Best Saudi Film at the 2021 Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF).
    MBC GROUP’s Rupture wins Best Saudi Film at the inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival
    December 15, 2021
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2022 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme