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
Beirut explosion August 4, 2020. Photo courtesy of the US Council of Muslim Organizations

Arab and Muslim American groups express support for Lebanon after explosion

Posted on August 6, 2020August 6, 2020 By rayhanania No Comments on Arab and Muslim American groups express support for Lebanon after explosion
SHARE ...
1         
 
  
1
Share

  • Tweet

Arab and Muslim American groups express support for Lebanon after explosion

Prayers and support after a massive explosion destroyed the port district of Beirut Lebanon on Tuesday August 4, 2020 pour in from across the globe including from Arab and Muslim organizations in the United States. Nearly 200 people were killed and more than 5,000 were injured by the explosion caused by a stockpile of nearly 3,000 tons of the fertilizer and bomb-making chemical agent ammonium nitrate

By Ray Hanania

The devastation caused by the suspicious explosion that took place in Beirut, Lebanon’s industrial waterfront district on Tuesday August 4 has drawn sympathies and support from around the world to the victims.

A stockpile of nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, a volatile chemical compound often used to make large explosives and as a fertilizer, exploded killing nearly 200 people and injuring more than 5,000. The explosion devastated a wide area of Beirut’s seaport and adjacent central business district.

Videos of the explosion have been distributed throughout social media showing the initial explosion and a large black cloud of smoke with smaller fiery explosions followed by a huge grey mushroom cloud explosion that spread for blocks destroying buildings and tossing cars and people for thousands of yards around the site.

The ammonium nitrate reportedly was being stored at a warehouse at the port after it was confiscated from a ship in 2014. Lebanese officials declared a two-week state of emergency in response to the explosion and investigations into responsibility.

 

Beirut explosion August 4, 2020. Photo courtesy of the US Council of Muslim Organizations
Beirut explosion August 4, 2020. Photo courtesy of the US Council of Muslim Organizations
The US Council of Muslim Organizations(USCMO), on behalf of our members and all American Muslims, express our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished in the truly horrifying blast at the Port of Beirut. And we offer our heartfelt prayers for the dead, and for all those injured and harmed, and to their near relatives and dear ones, asking God to recompense you all in your calamity and in your grave losses and to grant the hurt quick and complete recovery and perfect replacement with what is better.
We stand with you, people of Lebanon, in this hour of your severe trial. Even now, the Muslims of America are gathering their prayers and full capacity to help you in whatever ways we can.
We look upon each of you as members of our own family, hold you dear to us, and grieve with you in your sorrow.
We invoke the mercy of God, the All-Living, the Self-Subsisting, to rush to you His help. We ask Him to accord you ease upon ease, after your great hardship, and to alleviate all the traces of your suffering and sadness. We ask God to make you strong, to raise your renown, to give you wellbeing that extends for all of life and into the Hereafter, and to give you a light from Him that illuminates for you all darkness, and to set aright all your affairs.
We ask God to bless you, to hold you in His encompassing mercy, and to save you from every remnant of harm. We remain committed, as your brothers and sisters, to upholding you in our hearts, remembering you in our prayers, and aiding you with the whole of the wherewithal God may give us.
May God’s peace and blessings be with you.
The American Near East Refugee Age (ANERA) issued a plea for financial donations to help the victims.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Anera Supporter, you’ve been hearing from us about the dire situation in Lebanon. Yesterday’s events are unprecedented.

Beirut woke up today to over 300,000 homeless, thousands injured and likely hundreds dead from yesterday’s blast. Your support is needed today to get critical medical and humanitarian supplies to Beirut.

Some are saying this is the third largest blast in a populated area in history, with only Hiroshima and Nagasaki being larger. Emergency rooms are over capacity with badly injured people, and medical supplies are quickly being depleted with no restock available. Hundreds of thousands of residential buildings have been destroyed, leaving families homeless in the middle of a pandemic and financial crisis. With the port damaged, expensive air shipments are currently the only way to get humanitarian relief into the country.

This comes on top of months of misery throughout Lebanon. Anera will not be able to meet all the needs.

We are increasingly being called on by our partners and a community that does not know where else to turn. 

And the American Human Rights Council based in Detroit also issued a statement of support from director Imad Hamad.

AHRC urges immediate humanitarian aid to Lebanon:

AHRC extends its sincere condolences to all who lost loved-ones in the massive explosion in the port of Beirut and wishes all the injured a speedy recovery.
 The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) calls upon all people of good will in the world to provide immediate humanitarian aid to the people of Lebanon. According to media reports over 100 persons died and over 3000 were injured. The number of victims is expected to rise as many people are still missing.
This massive explosion added to the suffering caused by Lebanon’s already battered economy. In addition to the Covid-19 crisis, Lebanon has been coping with a debilitating economic crisis that put its people under extreme hardships. The Lebanese are suffering like never before in the country’s history.
AHRC commends all countries that acted fast to provide humanitarian aid to Lebanon. This shows our common humanity at its best. Lebanon is in dire need; the destruction is massive and Lebanon is already in dire economic straits. We hope all nations put politics aside and provide unconditional humanitarian aid.
It is not clear what caused the massive explosion. There are a number of theories floating but we urge that everyone wait for the results of a thorough and transparent investigation. AHRC calls for a transparent and though investigation regarding this explosion and its causes. The victims deserve justice. The Lebanese people deserve to learn the truth. Those responsible must be held accountable in a court of law.
“The images we saw on our TV screen are truly appalling, we are shocked by the massive devastation,” said Imad Hamad, AHRC Executive Director. “We trust that our world, that has been moved by the devastation, will spare no effort in helping Lebanon cope with this catastrophe,” continued Hamad.
The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) issued the following appeal for support:

In the wake of the deadly explosion in Beirut on August 4th, SAMS extends its deepest condolences and unwavering support to the people of Lebanon. As a result of the devastating blast, more than 135 people were killed, 5,000 were injured and large sections of Beirut were damaged or destroyed, including key medical facilities. As hospitals continue to receive the injured, upwards of 300,000 people were made homeless and are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

Thankfully, all SAMS personnel are safe and unharmed by the blast or its aftermath. We are presently on the ground assessing needs and planning the launch of an emergency response, which will include providing medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to first responders, and emergency kits for those who have lost their homes. We are also working with local partners to coordinate medical relief efforts, share relevant stocks (blankets, diapers, etc.) and potentially expand psychosocial telesupport to those traumatized by the blast.

Even before this tragic event, many vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees were suffering as a result of an economic crisis and COVID-19 mitigation measures. This disaster has plunged more than 300,000 people into homelessness overnight, at a time of unprecedented financial challenges and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also exacerbated the existing humanitarian needs of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees, at a time when many find it difficult to meet their daily needs for food, shelter and healthcare.

Please help SAMS deliver life-saving relief in the wake of this tragedy. Donate and share this campaign with family and friends. Together we can show our solidarity for the people of Lebanon.

Please stand with those who have lost so much by supporting our disaster relief efforts in Lebanon. Share this campaign with friends and family.

  • 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 ...
1         
 
  
1
Share
 
1
Share
1         
 
 Tweet 
Arab World, Lebanon, Middle East, News, Terrorism Tags:AHRC, American Arabs, American Human Rights Council, American Near East Refugee Aid, ammonium nitrate, ANERA, Beirut explosion, explosion, Lebanon, US Council of Muslim Organizations, USCMO

Post navigation

Previous Post: USS Liberty Survivors of The Six-Day War Read and Write  
Next Post: Israel’s High Court of Justice Cancels Punitive Home Demolition

Related Posts

  • Battle rages over Easter Egg hunt in Dearborn American Arabs
  • Read Ray Hanania's columns in the Arab News newspaper
    Hanania column: Rejection is not a strategy that works for Palestinians Arab News
  • Egypt’s Brain Drain Arab World
  • The 3rd Annual Red Carpet Festival in the Gaza Strip remembers major moments in Palestinian history, launched in 2015 marking the Israeli destruction of civilian homes in al-Shajaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City. Photo copyright Mohammed Asad. All Rights Reserved.
    Gaza hosts 3rd annual Red Carpet Festival Arab World
  • John McCain was never a God, just a complicated flawed human Bloggers
  • Christian College to fire professor for saying Christians and Muslims worship the same God Ali Younes

More Related Articles

Christian and Muslims iconic religious images in Occupied Jerusalem, Palestine. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Middle East Christians bear the brunt of televangelical politics Bloggers
Arab Muslims are telling their Pharaohs, get off my back! Arab World
Jerusalem, Dome of the Rock. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Peace activists urge Trump to prevent Jerusalem escalation Arab World
Arab American National Museum. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Summer Photography camp helps kids see world American Arabs
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 ANERA CEO urges US to restore Palestine Aid Arab World
King Abdullah receives U.S. President Barak Obama 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-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.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
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • 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 © 2022 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme