Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab US Community
    • Arab Stores Targeted
    • 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
    • TwoGuys on Politics
  • Ray on Tiktok
  • Subscribe Ray’s Columns
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Maria Pappas poses with Salman Aftab with her new memoir "Maria the Pappas" at the Sabeel Center in Des Plaines, Illinois on Oct. 11, 2026
    Maria Pappas shares stories of hardship, faith, and Hope behind new memoir at Pakistani-American Community gathering Activism
  • Mazen Doleh Maria Pappas Hassan Nijem book signing Oct. 10. 2026
    Maria Pappas shares immigrant roots, personal tragedies and lessons of faith at Arab American community book signing American Arabs
  • V4 ACW Partnership Banner 1.jpg 1024X1024
    Arab Center features analysis on what Iran Reveals about China’s Middle East Strategy Arab Center Washington DC
  • 10-10-26 Maria Pappas Arab community book signing
    American Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host book signing for Maria Pappas American Arabs
  • 09-07-26 Arab Center Banner 300x300_Pal_Conf_2
    Latest Analysis from Arab Center Washington DC: Reading Palestinian Polls—and Misreading Palestinian Politics Arab Center Washington DC
  • Arab AMerican Journalist Ali Younes (Photo courtesy of Ali Younes Twitter account)
    American Arab journalist faces imprisonment in Jordan for allegedly sharing Twitter post critical of the Arab country American Arabs
  • John Zogby Strategies logo
    Democrat Socialist label not undermining Democrat vote in November Election
  • Mohammed Faheem Graphic
    Supporters rally for region’s only radio show on national politics, and Arab and Muslim issues Activism
  • Arab Center Washington DC analyst Virginie Collombier
    Arab Center Washington DC spotlights analysis of the challenges facing Libya’s government Arab Center Washington DC
  • Human Rights Without Frontiers website graphic
    International Rights Groups Raise Alarm Over Freedom of Religion and Expression in South Korea Activism
  • HRWF Associate Director Hans Noot was joined by human rights scholars including CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAPLC) President Thierry Valle, FOREF Germany Executive Director Michael Langhans, CESNUR Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of “Bitter Winter” Massimo Introvigne, and CESNUR Deputy Director Mark Nemes.
    International Human Rights experts call for religious freedom and due process in South Korea Activism
  • Iran flag. Photo courtesy fo Pixabay.com. pixabay.com/fr/photos/iran/
    UN experts alarmed by renewed escalation of hostilities in Iran, call for accountability Human Rights
  • 10-01-25 Arab Center Web Ad 300x300
    Analysis by Arab Center Washington DC: Iran’s Nuclear Leverage Survives the War Arab Center Washington DC
  • Sir Rateb Rabie Newsletter image
    Peace activist and ecumenical Christian leader condemns Israel’s human rights violations American Arabs
  • Turkish festival Ad
    Visit Türkiye Without Leaving Chicago: The Turkish Festival Returns to Tinley Park This August Culture

American Arabs endorse Kennedy for Governor

Posted on September 14, 2017September 14, 2017 By rayhanania 1 Comment on American Arabs endorse Kennedy for Governor
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet





Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns

American Arabs endorse Kennedy for Governor

Chris Kennedy is leading as the candidate of choice for American Arabs and Muslims in Illinois. Kennedy has shown a sensitivity to issues facing American Arabs among which is access and engagement in state government. Under incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner, American Arabs have been marginalized and targeted with punitive hate-driven legislation punishing them for their expression of free speech on issues involving foreign countries. And Pritzker declined to attend several forums and events hosted by American Arabs. The prominent Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) is hosting a fundraiser for Kennedy to help him in the race

By Ray Hanania

Americans Arabs have been leaning heavily towards endorsing Christopher Kennedy in the March 2018 Democratic primary election race for Governor against rival J.B. Pritzker.

Leading the way is the Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) which has hosted candidate forums and fundraisers in the past. Kennedy had accepted an invite to speak to the Arab American Democratic Club. Click here to read the story.

Chris Kennedy is leading as the candidate of choice for American Arabs and Muslims in Illinois. Kennedy has shown a sensitivity to issues facing American Arabs among which is access and engagement in state government.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner is an anti-Arab racist who has supported legislation to deny American citizens in Illinois the right to criticize a foreign country because they are Arab. He is being challenged for governor by Christopher Kennedy and J.B. Pritzker. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Under incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner, American Arabs have been marginalized and targeted with punitive hate-driven legislation punishing them for their expression of free speech on issues involving foreign countries.

Rauner has also supported legal action that has been directed at several Arab Americans in activism and in journalism.

Most recently, Rauner enthusiastically endorsed a bill introduced to the Illinois General Assembly that punishes Arabs and Muslims who criticize Israel. The bill was originally sponsored by State Sen. Ira Silverstein and State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz.

Many American Arabs have criticized Israel’s settlements and the theft of land from Muslims and Christians living in the Occupied West Bank and in Occupied Jerusalem. Under the SIlverstein-Feigenholtz bill supported by Rauner, Christians and Muslims who criticize those settlements and support a boycott would be punished.

The legislation is racist and violates the rights of American Arabs like myself who unlike Silverstein, Feigenholtz and Rauner, served this country honorably and with distinction in the U.S. Military, during the Vietnam War. As a veteran, I am insulted by the legislation that Rauner, who claims to support veterans, endorsed out of political expediency.

Illinois gubernatorial candidate Christopher Kennedy addresses the Arab American Democratic Club brunch March 19, 2017. Photo courtesy of Steve Neuhaus
Illinois gubernatorial candidate Christopher Kennedy addresses the Arab American Democratic Club brunch March 19, 2017. Photo courtesy of Steve Neuhaus

Pritzker declined to attend several forums and events hosted by American Arabs. The prominent Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) is hosting a fundraiser for Kennedy to help him in the race.

Here is the information, below, on the fundraiser for Kennedy:

The Arab American Democratic Club will host a fundraiser for Democratic Candidate for Governor Christopher Kennedy on Wednesday, November 8, 2017.

The event will be held at the Saraya Restaurant & Banquet Hall at 7011 W. 111th Street in Worth, Illinois.

On behalf of the Arab American Democratic Club Board it is with great honor to invite you in support of Chris Kennedy, the Democratic Candidate for Illinois Governor, who stands and defends Muslims and Arabs, unlike the other candidates that just want our votes and do nothing for us.

Most recently Chris Kennedy spoke in favor of a Mosque and Muslims in the western suburbs as other candidates stood by as if we do not exist as part of the political process.

Arab American Democratic Club fundraiser for Christopher Kennedy Nov. 8, 2017
Arab American Democratic Club fundraiser for Christopher Kennedy Nov. 8, 2017

AADC will accept donations of any amount made out to “Kennedy for Illinois”, 222 Merchandise Mart, PO Box 3362, Chicago, IL., 60654. For more information contact [email protected].

Therefore in order to vote for, support , be counted, and recognized as a valuable and viable community in a very effective picture, we as a united community have to stand up with candidates and elected officials who stand with us and support us.

The AADC will be hosting a fundraiser in support of the future Governor of the State of Illinois

Please join us in support of Chris Kennedy for Governor of the State of Illinois

We need your support and we need each other for our community to be counted and respected.

Do not hesitate to contact Samir Khalil at 1-773-719-3331.

Thank you,
AADC Board
Miriam Zayid
Khalil Khalil
Saad Malley
Rima Sweiss
Sonia Khalil
Ahmad Ramahi
Samir Khalil





Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns

  • About
  • Latest Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Israelisnipers shooting and killing hospital workers in Gaza - December 11, 2023
  • CAIR Condemns Israeli Executions of Wounded, Unarmed Palestinian in West Bank   - December 11, 2023
  • Arab and Muslim American voters face a “simple choice” between Biden’s inhumanity and Trump’s edgy politics - December 9, 2023
NVP: 279

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, Editors Picks, mainstream, News, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania, US Arab Politics Tags:Arab American Democratic Club, Chris Kennedy, fundraiser, Governor, Illinois

Post navigation

Previous Post: How “The Vietnam War” by Ken Burns and We Americans and the USS LIBERTY can unite Americans
Next Post: American Arabs need to better document their history

Related Posts

  • Will controversy follow sale of Church to Muslims? American Arabs
  • Against All Better Judgment: A Book Review and Current Events Arab World
  • Arab Center Washington DC
    Arab Center Washington DC to host Conference on Second Trump Administration Policies toward the Middle East American Arabs
  • Marie Newman, Democratic nominee for Congress 3rd DIstrict March 2020
    Arab Americans rally for Congressional Democrat Marie Newman American Arabs
  • France’s War on Terror and De-radicalization Policy: The Lone Wolf Spectrum Abdennour Toumi
  • Holy Week registration begins for Orthodox Christians American Arabs

More Related Articles

New Qatari labour law: too little, too late Arab World
International CANNABIS EXPO and the U.S. Israel Cannabis Connection American Arabs
Allison Folmar, AHRC American Human Rights Council Empowers Women American Arabs
CNN’s Chris Cuomo pressed Netanyahu on Israel’s WMD and Slipped in The Truth Arab World
Charles William Boustany Jr. is an American politician and retired physician from Lafayette, Louisiana, who had served as the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district from 2013-17. A New NAFTA Could Cure Disease American Arabs
Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council Michigan Primaries 2024: Vote Today and be part of the solution: Activism

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Arab Center Ad

Order from Amazon.com

Maria the Pappas memoir book cover
CLICK to visit website www.MariaThePappas.com
Mike Porfirio Ad

Ray Hanania Substack Columns

When they raise the value of your property assessment, they are also raising your property taxes

When they raise the value of your property assessment, they are also raising your property taxes

05 Oct 2026

Don’t let them tell you anything different in Illinois, a state where property taxes are the number one answer to every…

Chicago’s new political school board bureaucracy: “Who learned you English?”

Chicago’s new political school board bureaucracy: “Who learned you English?”

27 Sep 2026

Instead of reducing government, Chicago is expanding government and thereby taxation in the creation of a separate schoo…

Video Podcast: Trump ban on CNN, MS Now and Politico will backfire

Video Podcast: Trump ban on CNN, MS Now and Politico will backfire

23 Sep 2026

Ray Hanania on Politics podcast (YouTube and Podbean) discusses President Trump’s politically stupid ban on CNN, MS Now…

In Illinois, it’s the economy stupid, not Trump, not name-calling, not slimy scandals

In Illinois, it’s the economy stupid, not Trump, not name-calling, not slimy scandals

19 Sep 2026

Some elections are won by lots of PAC money & mudslinging, failing to address real issues facing voters. It’s one reason…

Maria Pappas shines a bright light on public service

Maria Pappas shines a bright light on public service

09 Sep 2026

I met Maria Pappas in 1990 as my career shifted. She was a bright light who challenged an environment of dark backroom d…

Trump has betrayed both America and the Republican party

Trump has betrayed both America and the Republican party

06 Sep 2026

President Trump has taken over government and made it a division of his personal corporation, making decisions that prom…

Click to Read More

Courageous Thought: Hanania Syndicated Columns

Ray Hanania courageous Thought website logo
Ray Hanania

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

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. Some photos published with permission from Zemanta and Wikipedia.

Pappas Ad

The Lightning Strike Radio Sun 8-10 AM

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show
Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show
  • NEWS
  • Maria Pappas poses with Salman Aftab with her new memoir "Maria the Pappas" at the Sabeel Center in Des Plaines, Illinois on Oct. 11, 2026
    Maria Pappas shares stories of hardship, faith, and Hope behind new memoir at Pakistani-American Community gathering
    October 16, 2026
  • Mazen Doleh Maria Pappas Hassan Nijem book signing Oct. 10. 2026
    Maria Pappas shares immigrant roots, personal tragedies and lessons of faith at Arab American community book signing
    October 12, 2026
  • V4 ACW Partnership Banner 1.jpg 1024X1024
    Arab Center features analysis on what Iran Reveals about China’s Middle East Strategy
    October 2, 2026
  • 10-10-26 Maria Pappas Arab community book signing
    American Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host book signing for Maria Pappas
    September 26, 2026
  • 09-07-26 Arab Center Banner 300x300_Pal_Conf_2
    Latest Analysis from Arab Center Washington DC: Reading Palestinian Polls—and Misreading Palestinian Politics
    September 7, 2026
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Maria Pappas poses with Salman Aftab with her new memoir "Maria the Pappas" at the Sabeel Center in Des Plaines, Illinois on Oct. 11, 2026
    Maria Pappas shares stories of hardship, faith, and Hope behind new memoir at Pakistani-American Community gathering
    October 16, 2026
  • Mazen Doleh Maria Pappas Hassan Nijem book signing Oct. 10. 2026
    Maria Pappas shares immigrant roots, personal tragedies and lessons of faith at Arab American community book signing
    October 12, 2026
  • V4 ACW Partnership Banner 1.jpg 1024X1024
    Arab Center features analysis on what Iran Reveals about China’s Middle East Strategy
    October 2, 2026
  • 10-10-26 Maria Pappas Arab community book signing
    American Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host book signing for Maria Pappas
    September 26, 2026

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns
UpScroll
Threads

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

Copyright © 2026 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme