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
Elected officials and Arab community leaders at the Arab American Heritage celebration at Oozi Restaurant April 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of Anthony Caciopo

Hyatt Magazine to host Arab Heritage Month reception

Posted on March 12, 2020March 12, 2020 By rayhanania No Comments on Hyatt Magazine to host Arab Heritage Month reception
SHARE ...
17         
 
  
17
Shares

  • Tweet

Hyatt Magazine to host Arab Heritage Month reception

Hyatt Magazine will host a special dinner commemorating Arab American Heritage Month at the Paradise Banquets in Bridgeview on April 21, 2020. April is recognized in 18 American states as Arab American Heritage month and was designated in a special law adopted by the Illinois Legislature in January 2019 sponsored by House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.

Hyatt Magazine of Chicago will host a dinner celebration to honor the Annual Arab American Heritage Month national celebration for the month of April.

The month of April is officially celebrated as Arab American Heritage Month nationally beginning in January 2019 in Illinois and has been recognized by governments and officials in  more than 18 U.S. States. ArabAmerica.com is helping to coordinate the national Arab American Heritage Month celebrations.

The Hyatt Magazine Arab American Heritage Month celebration will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 from 6 PM until 10 PM at the Paradise Banquets, 9220 S. Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, Illinois. Tickets for the celebration and dinner are $50 per person. For more information on the event, contact Hyatt Magazine on their website at www.hyattmag.us.

Arab Heritage Month 2020, hosted by Hyatt Magazine
Arab Heritage Month 2020, hosted by Hyatt Magazine

The Illinois Legislature approved a law in January 2019 recognizing April  as Arab American Heritage Month. The Illinois law was introduced On October 10, 2018 by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan to recognize the contributions that Arab Americans have made to the state and to this nation.

The bill was co-sponsored in the Illinois by State Representatives Michael J. Zalewski, AndrÈ Thapedi, Juliana Stratton, Elizabeth Hernandez and John C. D’Amico. It was introduced to the Illinois Senate by State Senator Steven Landek and co-sponsored by Senator President John Cullerton and Senators John F. Curran, Jacqueline Y. Collins, Terry Link, Thomas Cullerton, Bill Cunningham and Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

Ray Hanania and County Treasurer Maria Pappas with elected officials and Arab community leaders at the Arab American Heritage celebration at Oozi Restaurant April 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of Anthony Caciopo
Ray Hanania and County Treasurer Maria Pappas with elected officials including Congressman Dan Lipinski and Arab community leaders celebrate Arab American Heritage Month at Oozi Restaurant April 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of Anthony Caciopo

Madigan announced the legislation was introduced during an appearance he made before the Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) on Oct. 21, 2018. At the time, Madigan praised the contributions that Arab Americans have made to both American society as a whole and specifically to the State of Illinois. He recognized Arab Americans who have and continue to serve in the U.S. military defending this country, who are first responders serving in police and fire departments throughout the state, as teachers, businessmen and women, and as taxpayers who continue to make significant contributions to the state.

In past years, Arab American heritage month was recognized by resolution to take place int he month of November with a focus of separate activities hosted by the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Former Mayor Richard M. Daley was a big proponent of Arab American Heritage Month commemorations and attended many. Past governors including Jim Edgar, George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn also recognized Arab American Heritage month by co-sponsoring and hosting activities ands events.

But that changed first when Rahm Emanuel was elected mayor of the City of Chicago in 2011. Emanuel  had a hostility towards Arab Americans but pandered to non-Arab Muslims to divide the community. His fact act after being elected in April 2011 was to suspend the annual Arab American festival, called Arabesque, that was launched by Mayor Daley and held at the Daley Plaza.

Emanuel also suspended and eliminated the Advisory Commission on Arab American Affairs, surrendering to the racism of several prominent Jewish American organizations angered that the festivals included mentions of “Palestine,” Palestinian heritage and activists recognizing Jerusalem as an occupied Arab city.

Despite many attempts by moderate Arab American leaders to meets with the mayor and show respect, Emanuel refused to meet to discuss the issues with leaders of the Arab American community and never explained his hostility. Many suspected it had to do with the fact that his father, Benjamin M. Emanuel, was a member of the Jewish Terrorist organization, the Irgun which was denounced as a terrorist organization by the British Government and that engaged in many terrorist acts including blowing up the King David Hotel killing scores of civilians, massacring civilians at the Palestinian village of Deir Yassin, and lynching kidnapped British soldiers and civilians.

Emanuel decided not to seek re-election after serving two racist-filled terms in office, beleaguered by controversies and scandal, and criticism that he spent too much time on petty issues but failed to address more important issues such as fighting to reduce the city’s rising crime and murder rate. One of the first things Arab Americans will do at the 2019 Arab American Heritage celebrations will be to celebrate his departure and work to restore ties Emanuel broke with his successor. There are 21 candidate running for Mayor of Chicago in the February 26, 2019 Consolidated elections including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Gery Chico, former Chicago Police Chief Garry McCarthy, Paul Vallas, Willie Wilson, Bob Fioretti, Lori Lightfoot, Bill Daley, Jerry Joyce, Cook County Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown, LaShawn Ford, Neal Sales-Griffin, activist Ja’Mal Green, Austin Chamber of Commerce Director Amara Enyia and attorney John Kozlar.

Similarly, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner demonstrated open hostility towards Arab Americans advocating and supporting anti-Arab legislation including a bill introduced to punish any resident or business in Illinois who supports a boycott of the foreign country of Israel. Contractors with the State must sign an affidavit that they do not support a Boycott of Israel in order to qualify for state contracts or business. Recently, Rauner ordered the state to review state funding of Airbnb which refused to list properties located in illegal Israeli settlements int he occupied West Bank.

Click here for a story on Arab Americans serving in the U.S. Military.

Here is the bill:

AN ACT concerning government.

WHEREAS, It is appropriate and right to celebrate a diversity of cultures and heritages, and such celebration serves as a reminder that despite our differing backgrounds, everyone in Illinois is bound by a common hope for a better and more inclusive future for our children; and

WHEREAS, The Arab American community has a long and integral history in the United States; and

WHEREAS, For over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to virtually every aspect of American society, including medicine, law, business, technology, government, and culture; and

WHEREAS, Tens of thousands of Arab Americans have served during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq after September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, The history of Arab Americans in American life often remains neglected and has been riddled with misunderstanding and bigotry; and

WHEREAS, Men and women of Arab descent have shared their rich culture, strong work ethic, and dedication to education, while embracing the American spirit of opportunity and helping us build a better nation and State for all; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that there are approximately 450,000 people of Arab American descent in Illinois with more than 100,000 Arab American voters registered; and

WHEREAS, We recognize and celebrate the contributions to cultural diversity, economic growth, and the overall development of our State and nation made by the Arab American community; therefore

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The State Commemorative Dates Act is amended by adding Section 6 as follows:

(5 ILCS 490/6 new)
Sec. 6. Arab American Heritage Month. The month of April of each year is designated as Arab American Heritage Month to be observed throughout the State as a month to recognize the valuable contributions of Arab Americans to this State and to the various aspects of American society.

  • 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 ...
17         
 
  
17
Shares
 
17
Shares
17         
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, ArabAmerica.com, Chaldean, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Culture, Egypt, Features, Iran, Iraq, Kurds, Lebanon, Middle East, News, Palestine & Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Spotlight, Tunisia Tags:2020, April, Arab American heritage month, elected officials, Hyatt Magazine, Illinois, Maria Pappas, Michael Madigan

Post navigation

Previous Post: Dr. Ashrawi: Israeli annexation pace is escalating and state-sanctioned settler terrorism on the rise
Next Post: Eileen Zogby, wife of AAI founder Jim Zogby, passes

Related Posts

  • Comedian/Actor Ahmed Ahmed (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for Bud Light) Photo courtesy of Ahmed Ahmed and the AHRC
    Comedian Ahmed Ahmed headlines AHRC fundraiser American Arabs
  • Senator Frances Black, one of the 2018 AAI Spirit of Humanities Award recipients
    American Civil Liberties Union to receive top national Arab American award Activism
  • Israel Palestine Religion VS Spirit and Imagination American Arabs
  • Fahad Nazer, Saudi Arabia spokesman. Appointed Jan. 23, 2019
    Saudi Arabia appoints Fahad Nazer as new spokesman American Arabs
  • The Arab Street The Arab Daily News radio show and audio podcast at www.TheArabStreet.com
    Ray Hanania rips through the news on his Radio Show American Arabs
  • Birzeit University Campus courtesy of Birzeit University, Palestine
    Birzeit students win gold in international innovation challenge Arab World

More Related Articles

Control room of Arabic-language satellite TV channel Alhurra, June 2008 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Alhurra.com opens the door for independent voices in the Middle East Arab World
Palestinians Stand With Burma in Gaza City in the Gaza Strip protesting against violence against Muslim civilians in Burma. Photo courtesy of Ahmad Hasaballah Palestinians show solidarity with Burma Ahmad Hasaballah
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo courtesy of WIkipedia Democracy reinforced under Turkey’s Erdogan Arab World
BoomGen’s series Of Kings and Prophets premieres March 8 American Arabs
Mordechai Vanunu: Uncensored and Enshrined Arab World
JFK Airport, Terminal 1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) New Yorker Arrested for attempting to provide material support to ISIS American Arabs

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.

  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.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
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.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 © 2022 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme