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
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • 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
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Toggle search form
  • Iowa Arab American Legislator Sami Scheetz
    ‘We Can’t Stop Now’: Sami Scheetz Announces Re-Election Bid for Iowa House District 78 American Arabs
  • American Middle East groups oppose granting Visa Waiver approval to Israel Sept. 27 , 2023
    American Middle East organizations protest against granting Israel Visa Waiver approval American Arabs
  • Alderman Lopez helped the Arab Community, now the Arab community should help Ald. Lopez American Arabs
  • Bavaria non-Alcoholic
    Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award Business
  • ADALAH confronts racist laws
    Civil Society Organizations to the Israeli Supreme Court: Cancel the Racist Admissions Committees Law Activism
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist American Arabs
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees American Arabs
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Wikipedia
    Flooding slams Wayne County in Detroit Michigan: Dingell releases statement of support Michigan
  • MBC launches new satellite channel focused on Saudi Culture
    Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture Arab World
  • The names and faces of the 14 Palestinian engaged in an open hunger strike to demand freedom from administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial. Graphic by Samidoun. You can join Samidoun's campaign here and find useful resources.
    Palestinians mount hunger strike campaign against administrative detention Arab World
  • “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights,” McCormick Place, August 14-18, for the largest, worldwide gathering of global, faith-based, and social change leaders. 
    Largest global interfaith gathering coming to Chicago this week Christian & Muslim
  • State rep. Cyril Nichols, Democrat, 32nd Illinois House District
    Relationship between Arab Americans and African Americans needs more balance, Black State Rep says American Arabs
  • Syropotamia Online Magazine logo
    SYROPOTAMIA online magazine launched to Illuminate Arab American Stories American Arabs
  • Detroit’s true freedom fighters, activist, trailblazer, and leader Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson who died on July 10, 2023
    AHRC Mourns the passing of Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson, Freedom Fighter and Detroit Icon American Arabs
  • Abed Ayoub ADC National Director (Aug. 2022)
    ADC launches Arab American Business Advisory Council American Arabs

Egyptian American stars in new Cable series on Hacking

Posted on July 6, 2015May 1, 2019 By rayhanania 1 Comment on Egyptian American stars in new Cable series on Hacking
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

Egyptian American Hollywood actor Rami Malek stars in a new hit series “Mr. Robot” on high tech computer warfare and hacking broadcast on the USA Network on Cable Television. Malek joins a small exclusive club of American Arabs who have made it to Hollywood movie and television series fame.

By Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania covering Chicago City Hall (1976-1992) In front of the Page 10 Banners on the Sun-Times Trucks, 1985
Ray Hanania covering Chicago City Hall (1976-1992) In front of the Page 10 Banners on the Sun-Times Trucks, 1985

Every time I see an Arab portraying any character in a Hollywood movie, and especially on a television series, I point them out to my wife, who immediately responds, “Why do you do that every time you see an Arab on TV?”

Well, because usually the only time we see Arabs on TV is when they are being stereotyped as terrorists by the biased, anti-Arab American mainstream news media which includes the even more biased Hollywood film industry and the television industry.

There are just so few role models for American Arabs. In a way, much of the extremism and even violence is in part the responsibility of this bias which casts most Arabs as vicious terrorists in a political game managed through high-financed public relations spin by pro-Israel activists and their pals.

Let me repeat the point: the extremist domestic violence by Arabs and Muslims in America in a large part is the fault of the bias of the mainstream news media which presents only negative images to the feeble-minded American public, which is so easily placed in a headlock of anti-Arab hysteria.

As a young American Arab, I grew up with every terrorist looking like one of my cousins, uncles and family members. For many, that’s a unique pressure that may push one out of 100,000 people over the edge into embracing violence and fanaticism.

So I was excited this week when I started to watch the new USA Network series “Mr. Robot” which stars Rami Malek, an Egyptian American Arab actor in a compelling drama that is among the best out on cable television this season.

Egyptian American Arab Actor Rami Malek who stars in the USA Networks news TV series, "Mr. Robot"
Egyptian American Arab Actor Rami Malek who stars in the USA Networks news TV series, “Mr. Robot”

Malek has a strong career in acting. He began his Hollywood career in guest-roles on several television shows before making his feature film debut in Night at the Museum (2006). He was a regular on the FOX comedy series The War at Home (2005-2007) and on the HBO miniseries The Pacific (2010). Malek appeared in Larry Crowne (2011) and had integral parts in Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and in the final installment of The Twilight Saga (2012). In 2013, he appeared in the independent films Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, the remake of Oldboy and starred in critically praised Short Term 12. The following year, he starred in the Need for Speed, The Night at the Museum sequel and Spike Lee’s Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.

Malek co-stars with one of my favorite intense Hollywood actors, Christian Slater, who was the lead male character in the phenomenal movie of all time, True Romance, which also starred Patricia Arquette (who plays Alabama). This is more than a cult classic, as it is often described. True Romance is one of the best films ever made.

And that always makes me repeat the great line from the Slater film, True Romance, (slightly edited), by Alabama’s pimp, Drexl Spivey (played by Gary Oldman), “He must have thought it was Arab boy day. It ain’t Arab boy day, is it?”

Actor Christian Slater
Actor Christian Slater

Malek plays “Elliot” in Mr. Robot, an American cyberpunk thriller–drama television series created by Executive Producer Sam Esmail, who also happens to be a successful Egyptian American Arab actor and producer.

The network promo describes Ellit’s character in this way:

As a senior network technician for cyber security firm Allsafe, Elliot protects corporate clients — including the ubiquitous Evil Corp — from security breaches and data theft. As a vigilante hacker, he monitors the people in his daily life and protects those he’s close to from their own flaws, sometimes with unpredictable results. Originally from Washington Township, New Jersey, Elliot now lives alone on the Lower East Side. He suffers from crippling anxiety, which stems from memories of his difficult childhood. His father died when Elliot was young, and his now-estranged mother was brutally cruel. Elliot has spent most of his adult life isolated from the world around him.

After being arrested for financial hacking, he has been attending court-ordered therapy for almost a year. Elliot, however, prefers self-medication by morphine, an addiction he mediates with suboxone. He obtains both from his next door neighbor, Shayla. With the arrival of Mr. Robot, Elliot’s world changes entirely. Fsociety’s members and mission offer him a renewed purpose — though accompanied by a risk of heightened paranoia — leaving him faced with the question of whether to numbly continue the life he knows or risk everything and participate in Mr. Robot’s revolution.

Executive Producer Sam Esmail, Mr. Robot
Executive Producer Sam Esmail, Mr. Robot

Malek is also celebrated in personality news and gossip as the boyfriend of actress Emmy Rossum, which means he has really made it as an Arab in America. Rossum is the phenomenal actress from one of the best series on TV, Showtime’s Shameless.

Mr. Robot has its own Facebook Page, too, that you’ll want to follow. It’s one of the best TV series out this season. Complex. Fascinating. Exciting.

Tragically, the Arab World really doesn’t get the whole power of media and movies, and especially the TV series. The Arab World has billionaires with so much money they could easily buy out one of the Hollywood movie companies or the TV production houses, if they wanted. But they just don’t understand that Americans are moved by what they see in the media. Hollywood movies and TV sitcoms, especially, can changed how the public views the Arab World.

I always thought my story would be the basis for a great TV sitcom, me being Palestinian Arab and my wife and son being Jewish. But without backing from the Arab World, we have to wait for Darwin’s theory on evolutionary change. While that can be a long wait, Malek, Slater and Esmail have made a great start, breaking down the stereotypes and placing American Arabs in roles that sometimes have nothing to do with their heritage other than that the audience might associate their successes with that heritage.

  • 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)
  • ‘We Can’t Stop Now’: Sami Scheetz Announces Re-Election Bid for Iowa House District 78 - September 27, 2023
  • American Middle East organizations protest against granting Israel Visa Waiver approval - September 27, 2023
  • Alderman Lopez helped the Arab Community, now the Arab community should help Ald. Lopez - September 27, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, Entertainment, Features, Ray Hanania Tags:Cable TV< TV series, Christian Slater, Hollywood Movies, Mr. Robot, Rami Malek, Sam Esmail, TV sitcom, USA Network

Post navigation

Previous Post: Hillary Clinton for President United States of Zionism
Next Post: Michael Oren’s hate campaign against Obama, peace

Related Posts

  • head shot
    Grand Pardon or Repentance!  Abdennour Toumi
  • American Politicians, Bought and Sold American Arabs
  • Event: Palestine Ambassador to speak at Indiana University American Arabs
  • It’s a God Thing About USS Liberty, The Guardian, Palestine and Vanunu Arab World
  • English: Detailed map of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, January 2006. Produced by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - public UN source. Map Centre: http://www.ochaopt.org/?module=displaysection§ion_id=96&format=html (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Peace campaign could deliver Palestine to Palestinians Arab World
  • Suicide Prevention: Break the Silence #JimKaz Bloggers

More Related Articles

The Ambassador of Morocco (2nd from left) greets Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley (2nd from right) at his City Hall office to receive a commemoration honoring the special relationship between America and Morocco. Picture center is Baker Lemseffer who was the director of the CHicago office of the Morocco Cultural Center. On the right is Col. Jack Reilly and on the left is a Moroccan aid who accompanied the Ambassador. The story was the main story in a 1976 issue of The Middle Eastern Voice Newspaper published by Ray Hanania in Chicagoland. Photo (C) Copyright 1976-2017 Ray Hanania. All Rights Reserved Morocco celebrates longest relationship with America American Arabs
Mitzpe Karmim illegal Israeli settlement outpost, courtesy of Peace Now, Israel Trump will recognize Israeli annexation of West Bank, officials say Arab World
Illinois gubernatorial candidate Christopher Kennedy addresses the Arab American Democratic Club brunch March 19, 2017. Photo courtesy of Steve Neuhaus Kennedy promises to bring diversity to Illinois government American Arabs
Civil Rights agency urges expanding racial profiling ban American Arabs
PTSD Nation and Gaza’s Children of Resilience Arab World
Podcast: Obama follows Clinton in Middle East peace failure American Arabs

Comment (1) on “Egyptian American stars in new Cable series on Hacking”

  1. Joe Philip says:
    February 18, 2016 at 3:04 am

    Rami Malek is a Copt. Not an arab.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Alderman Lopez helped the Arab Community, now the Arab community should help Ald. Lopez
    September 27, 2023
  • Ali Mohamed Ahmed Osman Charge d’Affaires Embassy Sudan Tokyo
    The RSF mutiny’s resonance in Sudan: Understanding some of its impacts on regional and global dynamics
    September 23, 2023
  • Windows at many American Arab owned stores were broken the day after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 14 Americans who "looked' Middle Eastern were murdered in the six months after the terrorism by Americans, most of whom were never prosecuted. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims
    September 11, 2023
  • Magdi A. Mofadal is the ambassador of Sudan to Austria
    Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan
    August 28, 2023
  • grab634.jpg
  • Ziyad-300x300FIndStore.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Iowa Arab American Legislator Sami Scheetz
    ‘We Can’t Stop Now’: Sami Scheetz Announces Re-Election Bid for Iowa House District 78
    September 27, 2023
  • American Middle East groups oppose granting Visa Waiver approval to Israel Sept. 27 , 2023
    American Middle East organizations protest against granting Israel Visa Waiver approval
    September 27, 2023
  • Alderman Lopez helped the Arab Community, now the Arab community should help Ald. Lopez
    September 27, 2023
  • Bavaria non-Alcoholic
    Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award
    September 22, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • American Middle East groups oppose granting Visa Waiver approval to Israel Sept. 27 , 2023
    American Middle East organizations protest against granting Israel Visa Waiver approval
    September 27, 2023
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023) the filing of a lawsuit with a dozen plaintiffs seeking an end to the government’s secret watchlist that almost exclusively targets Muslims for harassment and humiliation when they travel.
    CAIR Announces Lawsuit in D.C., Mass., N.J., Mich. Seeking End to Secret Government Watchlist
    September 19, 2023
  • Furquan Ahmed serves as the Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Senior Vice Chancellor and President of the Northwest Campus.
    AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees
    September 18, 2023
  • MBC launches new satellite channel focused on Saudi Culture
    Saudis launch new Satellite TV channel dedicated to Saudi Culture
    August 18, 2023

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.

Events

  • Amer Zahr's 1001 Laughs Palestine Comedy Festival returns in 2023
    Amer Zahr's 1001 Laughs Palestine Comedy Festival returns in 2023
    16 Sep 23
  • Huna al Quds exhibit opens at Museum of the Palestinian People
    Huna al Quds exhibit opens at Museum of the Palestinian People
    29 Sep 23
    Washington D.C.
  • Light in Gaza: Born of Fire Upcoming Book Tour Dates for Portland & Washington State
    Light in Gaza: Born of Fire Upcoming Book Tour Dates for Portland & Washington State
    30 Sep 23
  • US Council of Muslim Organizations to hold 10th anniversary Fundraiser
    US Council of Muslim Organizations to hold 10th anniversary Fundraiser
    15 Oct 23
    Oak Brook
  • Arab American Democratic Club to host 40th Anniversary celebration Nov. 1
    Arab American Democratic Club to host 40th Anniversary celebration Nov. 1
    1 Nov 23
    Bolingbrook

POPULAR POSTS

  • AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees AHRC’s Announces its 2023 “Spirit of Humanity” Gala Awardees The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) is pleased to announce its ... posted on September 18, 2023
  • The RSF mutiny’s resonance in Sudan: Understanding some of its impacts on regional and global dynamics The RSF mutiny's resonance in Sudan: Understanding some of its impacts on regional and global dynamics By Ali Mohamed Ahmed ... posted on September 23, 2023
  • Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims Disrespecting the memory of the 2,977 murdered victims of Sept. 11, 2001 by fueling a hatred of Arabs and Muslims ... posted on September 11, 2023
  • Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Salem Furrha and his eight children @theFurrhaFamily on TikTok and Instagram represent ... posted on February 6, 2021
  • Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan Factors Stalling the Peace Process in Sudan By Magdi A. Mofadal Sudan’s partners are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating ... posted on August 28, 2023
  • Regional and International Stakes in Sudan’s Stability Regional and International Stakes in Sudan’s Stability By Magdi A. Mofadal Sudan has been grappling with the gravest catastrophe in ... posted on July 14, 2023

Recent Posts

  • ‘We Can’t Stop Now’: Sami Scheetz Announces Re-Election Bid for Iowa House District 78
  • American Middle East organizations protest against granting Israel Visa Waiver approval
  • Alderman Lopez helped the Arab Community, now the Arab community should help Ald. Lopez
  • The RSF mutiny’s resonance in Sudan: Understanding some of its impacts on regional and global dynamics
  • Ziyad Brothers congratulates brewers of Bavaria non-alcoholic beer for receiving international award
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Comedian Ahmed Ahmed at The Comedy Bar in Chicago June 9 - 11, 2023
    Comedian Ahmed Ahmed performs in Chicago June 9-11, 2023 at The Comedy Bar
    June 9, 2023
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
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 © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme