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

CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech

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CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech

CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and its Massachusetts chapter (CAIR-MA) today condemned the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for reportedly banning MIT class of 2025 president Megha Vemuri from attending her undergraduate graduation…

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

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

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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…

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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 

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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*…

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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

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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…

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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

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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…

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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

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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….

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American Arabs, Civil Rights, News, US Arab Politics

Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip

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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…

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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

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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…

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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

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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…

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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

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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…

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Activism, American Arabs, Election, News

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

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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…

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

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

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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…

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

Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony

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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…

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

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

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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…

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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

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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…

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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

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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…

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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

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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….

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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

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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…

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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