Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
International Human Rights experts call for religious freedom and due process in South Korea By Ray Hanania The prestigious organization Human Rights Without Frontiers joined several human rights scholars and organizations detailed during a webinar on Thursday, August 7, 2026, from Seoul, South Korea, the challenges that are being faced by religious activists and the…
Supporters rally for region’s only radio show on national politics, and Arab and Muslim issues More than 100 supporters attended the annual fundraiser celebrating the third anniversary of The Lightning Strike Radio Show, the only program that addresses both domestic national politics and Arab and Muslim issues in the Midwest. The fundraiser dinner was held…
Peace activist and ecumenical Christian leader condemns Israel’s human rights violations “While America Celebrates Freedom, I Was Denied Entry to My Homeland Palestine and the Promise of Liberty,” Sir Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS, HCEF founder says in newsletter statement. Click here to read more. Israel consistently violates Visa Waiver Program agreement it made with United…
Visit Türkiye Without Leaving Chicago: The Turkish Festival Returns to Tinley Park This August Free entrance to a massive Grand Bazaar, live performances, authentic cuisine, and five round-trip flights to Istanbul headline the mid-summer cultural celebration. Experience the magic, energy, and unmatched hospitality of Türkiye right in the Chicago area. The highly anticipated Turkish Festival…
Aber Kawas Wins SD-12 Primary, on Track to Become First Palestinian, First Muslim Woman Elected in New York State On Tuesday, Aber Kawas won the Democratic primary and became the Democratic nominee for State Senate for SD-12 in Queens, bringing her one step closer to becoming the first Palestinian and first Muslim woman elected to…
The Board of Trustees Appoints HRH Dr. Maha bint Mishari bin Abdulaziz as the CEO of FII Institute The Board of Trustees of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Her Royal Highness Princess Dr. Maha bint Mishari bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as Chief Executive Officer of FII Institute. HRH Dr. Maha brings…
Team Qatar Enjoy Successful Opening Day at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Encouraging start as Team Qatar by Iron Lynx set the fourth quickest time in yesterday’s first free practice session and progress into Hyperpole LMGT3 qualifying later today Team Qatar’s debut entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans began in earnest on…
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New Palestine Book by Ramsey Hanhan “Palestine Bleeds for You“, out June 9 Ramsey Hanhan’s new collection of poetry and essays on Gaza, “Palestine Bleeds For You” (Fomite Press, 2026) is scheduled for release on June 9. “All we can do as writers, at a time like this, is to document and be our authentic…
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Arab Americans participate in Orland Park Memorial Day Commemoration May 25, 2026 By Ray Hanania Leaders of the Arab American community joined in the celebration of Memorial Day in Orland Park on Monday, May 25, 2026, led by Mayor Jim Dodge and including former Consolidated School District 230 Board member and current member of the…
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Arab community thanks Aviation Officials for permanent O’Hare prayer center for hired drivers By Ray Hanania Chicago’s Aviation Department has erected a permanent structure for Limo, Uber Black and Lyft drivers as a safe place to address personal and religious needs while they wait for customers. The new permanent structure replaces a modified Tent that…
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) welcomes two new board members Board Additions Bring Decades of Legal Excellence and Deep-Rooted Commitment to Arab American Civil Rights The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) today announces the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Johnny Simon, a nationally recognized trial attorney, and Cheryl Faris, a veteran civil rights…
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New expo in New Jersey to focus on Arab and Middle Eastern foods A new food expo to be held in New Jersey June 22 – 24, 2026, will, for the first time, put the focus on Arab and Middle East foods, and features Greek, Iranian, Indian, Turkish foods, making it easier for North American,…
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Federal Indictment Charges filed against Suburban Chicago Businessman with orchestrating $4 Million fraud schemes A suburban Chicago businessman from Indiana who operated a business in Orland Park, Illinois, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a pair of fraud schemes that netted him more than $4 million. An indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S….
AHRC: Mental Health Month Renews Calls for Bold, System‑Wide Action on Mental Health: The American Human Rights Council (AHRC) joins the nation in recognizing May as Mental Health Month, which has been observed annually since 1949. This month honors the millions of people living with mental health conditions—circumstances no one chooses, yet many still endure…
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AG Nessel Charges Fay Beydoun with 16 Felonies for Stealing Global Link International Grant Funding On May 6, 2026, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced 16 felony charges against Fay Beydoun, 62, of Farmington Hills, for the alleged theft of funds and fraudulent administration of a $20 million state legislative grant awarded to Global Link International,…
Politics in a Parallel Universe: Iraq’s Leadership Crisis and the Iran War By Harith Hasan The Iraqi government and the leaders of the country’s ruling political factions have every reason for alarm. The US–Israeli war on Iran—and its profound consequences for Iraq’s security, political stability, and economy—has produced a national crisis. Yet in Baghdad, political…
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Sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians driving displacement, warn UN experts UN experts today, April 30, 2026, expressed grave concern that sexual violence has become a tool of Israeli occupation, committing genocide, perpetuating the system of oppression by intimidating the Palestinian population and driving their forcible transfer. “Israeli sexual violence has become embedded in Palestinians’…
24 members of Congress demand US probes of American Arabs killed by Israel By Ray Hanania As the one-year anniversary of the killing of an American Arab Khamis Ayyad by Israeli settlers approaches, 24 members of the U.S. Congress expressed frustration in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Acting U.S. Attorney…
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