Author: Ray Hanania

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

Ruzevich race for Congress showcases challenges facing pro-Arab candidates

March 23, 2026March 23, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ruzevich race for Congress showcases challenges facing pro-Arab candidates By Ray Hanania One of the few races that many people in the Arab American community were very hopeful about was the challenge to unresponsive Congressman Sean Casten in the 6th Congressional District by Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich, political consultant and deputy campaign manager Sawsan Abubaker said…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Election, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, racism, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, The Arab Street, US Arab Politics, Women's rights

Celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month 2026

March 18, 2026March 18, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month 2026 Join us for the Arab America Foundation’s Ninth Annual National Arab American Heritage Month Signature Event. Thursday, April 16, 2026 Belle Haven Country Club Alexandria, Virginia Early registration: $125 through March 19 Tickets increase to $150 after March 25 This elegant black-tie evening celebrates the theme: Many Voices, One…

American Arabs, ArabAmerica.com, Culture, Entertainment, Event, Events, News, NewsWire

The Accessible Sea & Aquatics Project (ASAP) Announces Capital Campaign for Advocacy and Programs Benefitting People with Disabilities in Lebanon

March 2, 2026March 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Accessible Sea & Aquatics Project (ASAP) Announces Capital Campaign for Advocacy and Programs Benefitting People with Disabilities in Lebanon The Accessible Sea & Aquatics Project is excited to share the official launch of our campaign – Everyone Deserves the Sea – in support of people with disabilities in Lebanon. For too many people with disabilities in…

American Arabs, Disabilities, Lebanon, Michigan, News, NewsWire

Uniejewski Campaign Launches Second Digital Ad in 6th District State Senate race

February 26, 2026February 26, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Uniejewski Campaign Launches Second Digital Ad in 6th District State Senate race Nick Uniejewski campaign highlights Tribune endorsement and sharp contrast in 6th District State Senate race. Releases new digital campaign ad Chicago, IL – Democratic State Senate candidate Nick Uniejewski announced the launch of his second digital advertisement in the 6th District race. The…

Election, News, Politics

Bushra Amiwala Calls Out Dark Money, ICE Unaccountability in FOX Televised Debate

February 26, 2026February 26, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bushra Amiwala Calls Out Dark Money, ICE Unaccountability in FOX Televised Debate CHICAGO, IL — Congressional candidate Bushra Amiwala participated in the FOX 32 Chicago 9th Congressional District debate on Wednesday evening alongside other leading candidates. She used the platform to call out dark money in politics. Moderator Paris Schutz asked Amiwala whether three of…

Election, News, Politics

ILMAN and IMPAC Announce Endorsement of Kat Abughazaleh for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District

February 24, 2026February 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

ILMAN and IMPAC Announce Endorsement of Kat Abughazaleh for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Muslim Action Network (ILMAN) and the Illinois Muslim Political Action Committee (IMPAC) endorse Kat Abughazaleh for the Democratic primary in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Abughazaleh, a Palestinian American, has a comprehensive platform that aligns with our community—…

American Arabs, Election, News, NewsWire, Politics

Ray Hanania joins Marc Sims podcast on censorship, Bad Bunny and racism

February 12, 2026February 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ray Hanania joins Marc Sims podcast on censorship, Bad Bunny and racism Marc Sims talks with journalist Ray Hanania about censorship and fear. Ray Hanania is an American journalist of Palestinian descent. Hanania talks with Sims about social media censorship against critics of Israel’s government, such as AIPAC Tracker, and the growth of racism reflected…

Activism, American Arabs, Baby Boomers, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Election, Human Rights, Israel, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan, Podcast, Politics, Ray Hanania, Social Media, Spotlight

Global icon Shakira to Perform Post-Race Concert at the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2026

February 6, 2026February 6, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Global icon Shakira to Perform Post-Race Concert at the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 Multi-GRAMMY award winning, Colombian superstar will light up the Main Stage at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Sunday 19th April 2026 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (5 February 2026) – The Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) is thrilled to confirm that…

Arab World, Entertainment, Gulf States, News, NewsWire, Saudi Arabia, Sports

Congresswoman Delia Ramirez honored by American Arab Chamber of Commerce

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Congresswoman Delia Ramirez honored by American Arab Chamber of Commerce Cook/DuPage County, IL – U.S. Rep Delia Ramirez promised to continue to be open to the concerns of all communities, including to the concerns of Arabs and Muslims in her district and in Illinois, during a meeting with members of the American Arab Chamber of…

American Arabs, Business, Congress, News, NewsWire, Politics, Ray Hanania

Abughazaleh Campaign Surpasses $3 Million Raised, Powered by More Than 57,000 Grassroots Donors

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Abughazaleh Campaign Surpasses $3 Million Raised, Powered by More Than 57,000 Grassroots Donors Kat Abughazaleh’s campaign for Congress in Illinois’ Ninth Congressional District announced today that it has surpassed $3 million raised this cycle, underscoring the campaign’s growing momentum, powered overwhelmingly by small-dollar donors and broad grassroots participation. The milestone includes nearly 4,500 new donors…

Activism, American Arabs, Congress, Election, News, NewsWire, Politics

Rise in anti-Arab discrimination in America “more intense” and “alarming” ADC official warns

January 24, 2026January 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rise in anti-Arab discrimination in America “more intense” and “alarming” ADC official warns By Ray Hanania Anti-Arab racism is increasing “dramatically” but more “alarmingly” are becoming commonplace across every aspect of American life, the executive director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Abed Ayoub said recently. Ayoub said anti-Arab discrimination has been weaponized “across-the-board” by…

American Arabs, Civil Rights, Media Bias, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, racism

ADC Condemns New Visa Freeze Using ‘Public Charge’ Criteria to Deny Entry and Separate Families

January 16, 2026January 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

ADC Condemns New Visa Freeze Using ‘Public Charge’ Criteria to Deny Entry and Separate Families The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) on Jan. 14, 2026 strongly condemns the State Department’s action freezing visa processing for nationals from 75 countries under an expanded and deeply troubling interpretation of the “public charge” doctrine. Unlike prior travel bans that…

Arab World, Civil Rights, News, NewsWire, Travel

Islamic Scholarship Fund ISF Scholarship & Program Applications are Open!

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Islamic Scholarship Fund ISF Scholarship & Program Applications are Open! The ISF is excited to announce that applications are open now through March 21st for ISF’s upcoming 2026-2027 internships, fellowships, and scholarships. These programs are designed to provide mentorship, financial resources, and professional development opportunities for the next generation of leaders, and we are looking…

Activism, Christian & Muslim, Culture, Education, News, NewsWire, Spotlight

Zakat Foundation of America honors memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Zakat Foundation of America honors memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Zakat Foundation of America honors MLK legacy by providing aid and assistance to the poor and needy in Chicago area, 8 states and 48 service events in locations around the country. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King the Zakat Foundation of America has initiated a National Day of Service program across…

Activism, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, News, NewsWire

The Legacies of the Middle East in 2025 Are Likely to Repeat in 2026

January 8, 2026January 8, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Legacies of the Middle East in 2025 Are Likely to Repeat in 2026 By Yara M. Asi, Daniel Brumberg, Elobaid Elobaid, Samia Errazzouki, Imad K. Harb, Marwan Kabalan, Nabeel A. Khoury, Laurie King, Assal Rad, Rend Al-Rahim, and Mtanes Shihadeh In 2025, the Middle East and North Africa saw Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians and destabilizing military attacks across the wider region,…

Arab Center Washington DC, Arab World, Arab World Politics, Gulf States, Human Rights, immigrants, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, News, NewsWire, North Africa, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Saudi Arabia, Spotlight, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey

Challengers in Illinois’ 6th and 10th Congressional Districts Face Voters on The Lightning Strike

January 6, 2026January 6, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Challengers in Illinois’ 6th and 10th Congressional Districts Face Voters on The Lightning Strike Voters in two closely watched Illinois congressional districts heard directly from Democratic primary challengers on Sunday morning January 4, 2026 during a candidates’ forum broadcast on The Lightning Strike, the weekly progressive radio program airing on WCPT 820 AM Radio. The…

Activism, American Arabs, Arab Radio, Congress, Election, Journalism, News, News Media, NewsWire, Politics, Radio Podcast, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

Arab Center Analysis: Israel’s declining support among American Evangelicals

January 1, 2026January 1, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab Center Analysis: Israel’s declining support among American Evangelicals By Jonathan Kuttab for the Arab Center of Washington D.C. Evangelical Christian support for Israel and its policies has long been one of the bedrock factors behind backing for Israel in the United States. Such support pervaded all sectors of American decision-making at the executive and…

American Arabs, Arab Center Washington DC, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Commentary, Congress, International news, Israel, Middle East, NewsWire, Opinion, Politics

Mayor-Elect Mamdani Appoints Education Veteran Kamar Samuels as Schools Chancellor To Deliver Educational Excellence

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor-Elect Mamdani Appoints Education Veteran Kamar Samuels as Schools Chancellor To Deliver Educational Excellence Samuels will partner with the Mayor-elect to raise outcomes in reading and math, confront school segregation, invest in educators, combat student homelessness, and deliver educational excellence for every student. As Superintendent in Manhattan and Brooklyn, Samuels has improved students’ literacy scores…

Civil Rights, Education, Election, Islamophobia, News, NewsWire, Politics