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

ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi
ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi

ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi Recent attacks on Dr. Lara Sheehi—including the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) pressure campaign targeting and trying to intimidate the American Psychological Association—are defamatory, an assault on her character, and a transparent attempt to silence voices critical of Israel. Multiple independent investigations have already cleared Dr. Sheehi…

Read More “ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi” »

Activism, American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Human Rights, Israel, News, Palestine & Jordan, racism

UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba 

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba 

UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba  “Israel continues to inflict unimaginable suffering on the people living under its occupation, whilst rapidly expanding confiscation of land as part of its wider colonial aspirations. What we are witnessing could very well be another Nakba”, warned a UN Special Committee*…

Read More “UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba ” »

Arab World, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Human Rights, International news, Israel, News, Palestine & Jordan, Terrorism, United Nations

Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month
Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month

Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas hosted her annual celebration for Arab American Heritage Month, one of several dozen events her office sponsors to recognize the many contributions Cook County’s various ethnic and religious groups have made to society. By Ray Hanania Cook County Treasurer…

Read More “Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month” »

Activism, American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Culture, Event, Events, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders WHO:               Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer WHAT:            Treasurer Pappas will celebrate Arab American Heritage Month by recognizing more than 30 business, civic, political and religious leaders from the Chicagoland community with Certificates of Excellence.                 WHEN:             2…

Read More “Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders” »

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Culture, Event, Events, Human Rights, News, NewsWire, The Arab Street

Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois

Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew S. Boutros, who served as a federal prosecutor in Chicago for nearly eight years before entering private law practice, took the Oath of Office today as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. U.S….

Read More “Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois” »

American Arabs, Civil Rights, News, US Arab Politics

Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip
Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip

Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip On 18 March 2025, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza, killing at least 404 Palestinians and injuring 562 more, breaking the already fragile ceasefire. Since then, Israel has continued its genocidal campaign against the Palestinians, devastating every single sector of Palestinian life as…

Read More “Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip” »

Arab World, Civil Rights, Human Rights, International news, Israel, News, Palestine & Jordan, Terrorism, war, war crimes

Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference
Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference

Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference Muslim Leaders, Lawmakers to Discuss Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference Advocates representing the Muslim and immigrant communities across Chicagoland will travel to the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday, April 9, to call for strengthening Illinois’ welcoming state policies…

Read More “Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference” »

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Event, Events, News, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, US Arab Politics

Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025
Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025

Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025 Palestine Red Crescent Society Calls for Independent International Investigation to Hold Those Responsible Accountable for the Crime of Targeting Ambulance Teams in Rafah on March 23, 2025 The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) affirms that the targeting of its ambulance convoy…

Read More “Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025” »

Arab World, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Human Rights, International news, Israel, Middle East, News, Palestine & Jordan, Terrorism, war crimes

Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13
Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13

Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13 By Ray Hanania More than a dozen candidates running for various local offices in the Chicagoland suburbs attended an Iftar dinner Thursday, March 13, 2025 hosted by the Arab American Chamber of Commerce and the Palestine Club at the Jerusalem Banquet Hall in…

Read More “Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13” »

Activism, American Arabs, Election, News

Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host Candidate Iftar March 13 in Bridgeview

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host Candidate Iftar March 13 in Bridgeview
Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host Candidate Iftar March 13 in Bridgeview

Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host Candidate Iftar March 13 in Bridgeview The Arab American Chamber of Commerce of Chicagoland and the Palestine Club are hosting a “Candidate’s Iftar” on Thursday, March 13 beginning at 5:30 PM at Jerusalem Banquets, 8314 S. Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. The event is open to all candidates and to…

Read More “Arab Chamber and Palestine Club host Candidate Iftar March 13 in Bridgeview” »

Activism, American Arabs, Business, Christian & Muslim, Election, News

MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator
MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator

MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator MBC GROUP’s revolutionary platform is set to offer a new era of digital and traditional content consumption across the region, bringing together the best of entertainment including MBC’s award-winning TV channels and Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform. To celebrate launch, MBCNOW arrives with…

Read More “MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator” »

American Arabs, Arab World, Entertainment, Middle East, News, Saudi Arabia, Television

Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony
Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony

Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony Championing Unity, Love, and Pluralism Through Interfaith Weddings Washington, D.C., – Dr. Mike Mohamed Ghouse, a renowned interfaith wedding officiant, is preparing to celebrate a remarkable milestone—his 500th marriage ceremony. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Ghouse has officiated weddings that transcend faith, race, and ethnicity, fostering unity and…

Read More “Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony” »

American Arabs, Mike Ghouse, News, NewsWire, Press Releases

Israeli Settlement Expansion Continues for Fifth Consecutive Week: Plans to Advance 765 New Housing Units

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Israeli Settlement Expansion Continues for Fifth Consecutive Week: Plans to Advance 765 New Housing Units
Israeli Settlement Expansion Continues for Fifth Consecutive Week: Plans to Advance 765 New Housing Units

Israeli Settlement Expansion Continues for Fifth Consecutive Week: Plans to Advance 765 New Housing Units On Wednesday, January 1, 2025, the Higher Planning Council (HPC) will convene to discuss the approval of a construction plan for 765 housing units in the settlement of Beitar Illit. Since December 2024, the HPC has been advancing housing construction…

Read More “Israeli Settlement Expansion Continues for Fifth Consecutive Week: Plans to Advance 765 New Housing Units” »

American Arabs, Arab World, Christian & Muslim, Human Rights, International news, Israel, Middle East, News, Palestine & Jordan, Quick News, war crimes

A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice
A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice

A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice #Read @RayHanania I love #MiddleEastern #Arab food recipes in addition to politics. Here’s my how to make Stuffed #GrapeLeaves with diced #lamb #steak #wariqDuwali #OxTail and #rice Read Ray Hanania’s columns on politics, life in general, and his love for…

Read More “A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice” »

American Arabs, Arab News, Arab World, ArabNewsColumn, Christian & Muslim, Culture, Europe, Features, Food, Health, immigrants, Lebanon, Middle East, News, Palestine & Jordan, Ray Hanania, recipe, Spotlight

All United launches to empower local community and drive political change

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on All United launches to empower local community and drive political change
All United launches to empower local community and drive political change

All United launches to empower local community and drive political change ORLAND PARK, IL – Last week, All United, a newly established statewide Political Action Committee (PAC), launched its mission to build a powerful and inclusive political movement at its inaugural fundraiser—an event that demonstrated the strength, unity, and resolve of the communities it aims…

Read More “All United launches to empower local community and drive political change” »

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Election, Human Rights, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, racism, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, The Arab Street, US Arab Politics

CAIR condemns GOP selection of Genocidal anti-Palestinian racist Rep. Brian Mast as Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on CAIR condemns GOP selection of Genocidal anti-Palestinian racist Rep. Brian Mast as Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee
CAIR condemns GOP selection of Genocidal anti-Palestinian racist Rep. Brian Mast as Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee

CAIR condemns GOP selection of Genocidal anti-Palestinian racist Rep. Brian Mast as Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the GOP’s selection of genocidal anti-Palestinian racist Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the next Congress….

Read More “CAIR condemns GOP selection of Genocidal anti-Palestinian racist Rep. Brian Mast as Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee” »

American Arabs, ArabNewsColumn, Assyrian, Census, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Classifieds, Congress, Education, Europe, Gulf States, Human Rights, International news, Israel, Joumana Kayrouz, Maria Khoury, Michigan, Mohammed Asad, News, Palestine & Jordan, US Arab Politics

Senator Hastings and Rep Nichols introduce commemoration resolutions for the late Nemer Ziyad

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Senator Hastings and Rep Nichols introduce commemoration resolutions for the late Nemer Ziyad
Senator Hastings and Rep Nichols introduce commemoration resolutions for the late Nemer Ziyad

Senator Hastings and Rep Nichols introduce commemoration resolutions for the late Nemer Ziyad The resolutions were approved in the Illinois State Senate and the Illinois State House on November 11 and on November 13, 2024, memorializing his passing and acknowledging his achievements as a proud Arab American State Senator Michael Hastings and State Rep. Cyril…

Read More “Senator Hastings and Rep Nichols introduce commemoration resolutions for the late Nemer Ziyad” »

American Arabs, Arab American History, ArabNewsColumn, Assyrian, Census, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Classifieds, Congress, Education, Europe, Features, Food, immigrants, Maria Khoury, Mohammed Asad, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

CAIR-Chicago to Renew Calls for Senator Sara Feigenholtz to resign over her promoting Hatred of Muslims

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on CAIR-Chicago to Renew Calls for Senator Sara Feigenholtz to resign over her promoting Hatred of Muslims
CAIR-Chicago to Renew Calls for Senator Sara Feigenholtz to resign over her promoting Hatred of Muslims

CAIR-Chicago to Renew Calls for Senator Sara Feigenholtz to resign over her promoting Hatred of Muslims Illinois State Senator Sara Feigenholtz has a history of anti-Arab and racist remarks and a bias against Arab Americans and yet she is not held accountable because her victims are Arabs and Muslims. CAIR and other organizations have been…

Read More “CAIR-Chicago to Renew Calls for Senator Sara Feigenholtz to resign over her promoting Hatred of Muslims” »

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, News, NewsWire, racism